Vaccinations

[frank1538]

None are required, but I went ahead and had the Hep shots, got a tetanus booster and carried a prescription for anti-malarial drugs. We were traveling to Southern China in the middle of Summer, including Hainan (not the resorts), and it seemed like a good precaution.

[msmckee]

I did the typhoid, Hep A (I was told Hep B was contracted by intimate contact - not even foodborne - by my doc, so he said I didnt need it), and I think they boosted my ancient kid shot regimen (diptheria mumps, etc.)

178888[/snapback]

There is also the risk of contracting Hep B in the hospital. You know, the cure all for everything in China is the IV and they have a reputation for reusing needles (or repackaging and reselling as new). I wouldn't be surprised if medical treatment was the primary source of Hep B and AIDS infection in China. Your first taxi ride will probablly convince you that the possibility of requiring medical attention is not all that remote

 

As an aside, both of my parents are chronic Hep B (inactive). At least one of them got it in a hospital here.

[Trigg]

flu shot seems wise at this point.  Get a tamiflu 'scrip if you can from your doc, if you are worried about bird flu.

 

if you are in the south, bring your own DEET mosquito repellent.  I found some stuff in GZ but it wasn't anything like what I was used to, and its successfulness was questionable (I was bit ALOT).

179023[/snapback]

Tamiflu script is a good idea but do get it filled in the US and remmeber that it's usless if you don't take it within 48 hours of contracting the flu virus--of course all antibiaotics are usless with a viral infections.

 

also, flu shots target three or four specific flu viruses that the CDC projects may effect the USA--there are hundreds of flu viruses and the CDC projections do not laways take China into account!

Edited December 31, 2005 by Trigg (see edit history)