Here`s a list of vaccinations we`re taking:
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis B
- DTP (diphteria, tetanus and polio)
- typhus
Then there`s malaria. We haven`t sorted that out yet. There`s no vaccination (yet). I`s recommended to take prophylaxis, but that means in our case taking those pills with their side effects for a period of nine months. Not the entire area is malaria endemic, but you have to take the medication a few weeks in advance and continue a few weeks afterwwards. This means that there`s not going to be any pill-free interval.
I don`t like that idea, but maybe it`s the only wise thing to do. More information about this will come soon. If anyone have a good idea about this, please mail me. My idea is to take the medication only when there`s an infection, but `ve no idea how often that`s going to be the case.
There are other things to think of. Anyone who has been in a country outside western Europe knows that you`re going to get diarrea. We`re no exception, so we take ORS, oral rehydration solution. In case of diarrea, you`re likely to lose a lot of fluid and electrolytes, so ORS is essential. Furthermore we take immodium with us, a fantastic drug to suppress the diarrea in case you have to travel. It won`t make you better though. It only stops the diarrea, wich is in itself not good for the healingprocess, so it`s use should be minimised.
Then there`s a lots of other stuff you can bring, such as antibiotics, steril needles, sunblock, alcohol, bandages, etcetera. There are some good sites, like www.tropenzorg.nl .
It`s wise to see your doctor about this. For the dutch readers, we went to the ARBO for our medical advise and vaccinations, the ARBO is cheaper then the GGD, and at least as good. We`re lucky to have a ARBO with these facilities.
I`ve something to add about the malaria. I was able to do a fantastic experiment in the hospital in Nijmegen. It was an experimental malaria infection. The hospital does research in vaccin development and I was able to cooperate. I was infected with malaria and got treatment ten days later, after being ill for three days.
This altered my views about takinf profylaxis. I`m aware know how you feel to have malaria, and I can tell you, it`s not something you want to have very often!
So this means taking prophylaxis for about seven months!
I want to make an aknowledgement to Denise Telgt, a tropical doctor and doctor in internal medicine for her good advice and for obtaining some medicine for us. She will also be our personal doctor, who we can email in case of illness.