Vaccinations?

[Steelyeyes]

I just ask my doc she she recommends for the location I'm headed to. I have heard that there is some success in a potential vaccine for dengue. That would be nice.

 

[drrich2]

Hepatitis A is the one I worry about catching via the food industry, because it's transmitted by what's called 'fecal oral route' - so poor hand-washing and unhygienic food handling can lead to transmission.

Hepatitis B and C are transmitted via exchange of body fluids; non-barrier protected sexual intercourse and needle sharing amongst addicts (e.g.: heroin addicts).

For what it's worth if anyone reads more on it, 'hepatic' refers to liver, 'itis' often refers to inflammation, and there are many causes of 'hepatitis,' of which only some are viral. Hepatitis A, B and C are caused by viruses.

That said, there is a vaccination against Hepatitis B, too, and if it's convenient for you, not a bad thing to have.

I wish there was a vaccination against Hepatitis C, which I consider the worst of the 3. I believe there's now a drug regimen intended to eradicate it from the body, but it's a long, drawn out and extremely expensive course of treatment (or was last I read about it, which has been awhile).

Richard.

P.S.: I hardly ever think of typhoid; wonder to what extent that's a significant risk in the Caribbean and elsewhere?

 

[DandyDon]

I won't quote his post, but see what drrich2 said above!

None needed.

Or, no extra shots other than the good ideas for living in the US.

Hep A and Tetanus are good ones to keep current.....unless you are always in clean environments and never "stab" yourself with anything.

You don't need a stab for Tetanus; just a break in the skin. A local farmer here nearly died from it because none of the doctors had ever seen a case. There is some disagreement over how long that vaccination is effective. I'm klutz enough I like to just get the booster every 10 years, and it's probably time.

I just get my annual flu vaccine...nothing to do with Cozumel, per se. My doc has suggested I might want to consider Hepatitis A but I don't see much cause for that. A greater fear is dengue, IMO.

Get the Hep A. Good for life.

You can get Hepatitis A/B from a salad bar in the US so you should have those anyway.

I don't think you can get Hep B from food.

Typhoid is also a good one to have in general. I believe it's oral and is good for two years.

I'm not going to bother with that one. It's very rare in tourist areas, and it's treatable if needed.

Depending on your age, you may be a candidate for an adult MMR booster - check with your doctor. I believe that one is an injection.

I remember having Mumps as a kid, which was before the vaccine was developed, and I think I had German Measles, but don't think I ever had Measles - or the shot. With the new problems in the US and those anti-vaxers, I'm going for that one.

Some friends feel it's important to start a course of anti-malarials,

I do for Belize and Honduras. Not for Coz or even the mainland ruins. Spraying with DEET is a good idea, for the other risks on Coz and on the mainland, especially the ruins. I always take it to Coz, usually forget, never notice a bite, but still - good idea.

I just ask my doc she she recommends for the location I'm headed to. I have heard that there is some success in a potential vaccine for dengue. That would be nice.

I don't think many stay up to date on possible travel needs. If I was going to Egypt, I'd see a travel specialist as well as do my own CDC reading, but for Coz - no need.

I wish there was a safe & effective vaccine for Dengue.

 

[NAM001]

If you give blood check with them for the ports yo are going to . IE Belize is OK but if you go out of town you can't give blood. these rules change all the time. There are other ones that say you can go to a port but not in the water./ Its a malaria thing.

 

[gopbroek]

I just ask my doc she she recommends for the location I'm headed to. I have heard that there is some success in a potential vaccine for dengue. That would be nice.

If I remember correctly Mexico was one of the intial countries to approve the Dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, in 2015 but only in limited areas and in the age group of 15 -50 (?). The Philippines also did a widespread vaccination with a lot of problems due to severe reactions with people who had not previously had Dengue.
Since then I believe the vaccine has been restricted to those that previously had Dengue. Dengue can kill and I hope a safe effective vaccine will be developed but I do not think it's there yet.

Growing fears over safety of dengue vaccine Dengvaxia

 

[ggunn]

I remember having Mumps as a kid, which was before the vaccine was developed, and I think I had German Measles, but don't think I ever had Measles - or the shot. With the new problems in the US and those anti-vaxers, I'm going for that one.

In the Dark Ages when I was growing up, the only immunity we could get from measles (both kinds), chicken pox, and mumps was to get them as a kid when our immune systems were strong enough for most of us to fight them off. I had them all. I grew up mostly unscathed, but mumps gave me something that I live with today.

 

[DandyDon]

In the Dark Ages when I was growing up, the only immunity we could get from measles (both kinds), chicken pox, and mumps was to get them as a kid when our immune systems were strong enough for most of us to fight them off. I had them all. I grew up mostly unscathed, but mumps gave me something that I live with today.

I'm not certain, but I think our town doctor encouraged mothers to organize play dates with sick kids during summer break, so we could get exposed to childhood diseases at convenient times. Or maybe it was just some of the moms? Or I may be misremembering. I'm glad my kids, grandkids, and greats can skip those as they all come with risks.

I had my first Shingrix shot last month, and hope to find the second next month. It's been in short supply, since it's much more effective than the old vacc. I think I'll get the titer test for my Hep A & B vaccs to make sure they took ok.

 

[ggunn]

I'm not certain, but I think our town doctor encouraged mothers to organize play dates with sick kids during summer break, so we could get exposed to childhood diseases at convenient times. Or maybe it was just some of the moms? Or I may be misremembering. I'm glad my kids, grandkids, and greats can skip those as they all come with risks.

I had my first Shingrix shot last month, and hope to find the second next month. It's been in short supply, since it's much more effective than the old vacc. I think I'll get the titer test for my Hep A & B vaccs to make sure they took ok.

I remember the same thing but I don't think my mom did that to us. The fact that these diseases are contagious before symptoms appear, though, made schools pretty much do the same thing.

I need to do the Shingrix thing as well; my mom had a bout with shingles last year and she had had the old vaccine. It wasn't a pleasant or short lived experience for her.

 

[DandyDon]

I need to do the Shingrix thing as well; my mom had a bout with shingles last year and she had had the old vaccine. It wasn't a pleasant or short lived experience for her.

My son-in-law had an attack once, and I currently have a young cousin (junior high age I think) dealing with one, so they can hit earlier than expected. More common for us old foggies tho, and sound horrible. Get on several waiting lists and grab the first one who can deliver.

 

[WetInPortland]

Regarding typhoid vaccinations:

I'm not going to bother with that one. It's very rare in tourist areas, and it's treatable if needed.

Don't be too sure. @Christi posted a warning about eating from the Cozumel food trucks that lack refrigeration when the weather is warm. Typhoid is caused by a strain of Salmonella, and while treatable, it's a 14-day course of antibiotics and feeling like crap.