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Just had first round of shots before our September safari in Zambia; Hep A, Hep B, DPT, and Typhoid. I got mine from my family doc, my buddy went to a travel clinic. Family doc says polio booster isn't necessary and the CDC doesn't mention on their website a need for Meningitis or TB but travel clinic said all 3 (polio, meningitis, TB) were necessary for my buddy. We're using Malarone and he wrote me a scrip for Doxy, just in case it's needed. Have you guys gone the full route on immunizations or just followed CDC recommendations? Cheers, Andy | ||
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For what its worth... Hepatitis B is principally a blood borne illness. It is indemic in africa, and I would get the immunization on the off chance you would have an exposure (scratch touching someone else, blood transfusion, etc.) but the risk of contacting it is VERY small if you behave.... Hepatitis A is a "oral fecal" transmitted virus (yes it sounds bad). It is also endemic in Africa. If you eat bad food, or drink bad water, you will be VERY glad you got this. Its not fatal usually, but it will make you very sick for a couple of weeks. Meningitis vaccine is against a specific kind of bacterial meningitis. I would say the risk is low, but the down side is horrible. It is a commonly given vaccine, with a low risk of problems. Polio vaccine is recommended due to the fact polio has been resurgent in these areas. Your doc is assuming that you had the series as a child and are still covered. The CDC recognizes that not everyone has the complete series, and in the US the exposure rate is so low that your immune level might not be protective. Take it for what its worth, its your risk/benefit. As an aside, if you have immunocompromised friends or family, you might want to consider getting this, and make sure they use the new IPV vaccine not the older OPV (live attenuated vaccine, that I think is not available commonly in the US now...) As to TB, I think you misheard them. In europe and some other places they use BCG vaccine, but they do not immunize against TB here- and my understanding is that the BCG vaccine really is not very effective anyhow. They can do a TB skin test to see if you have been exposed, but its not a treatment (thats 6-9 months of antibiotics) DTP is just a tetanus booster. Typhoid is a vaccine for Typhoid Fever, and is endemic in parts of Africa. I think this is a requirement for entry in many countries. You also did not mention Yellow Fever, and that is not required for Zimbabwe or Zambia. That is a specialized vaccine, with a bit higher side effect profile. This is only offered at certain special travel clinics- I mention this just to be complete. As to the Doxycycline an FYI- get the pills before you leave. The script is worthless in Africa- and you can do some good by leaving the pills with your PH when you leave since these guys get exposed to stuff like tick fever on a regular basis. Good Hunting! cb | |||
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All, FYI to TB: I had to take a PPD test several months ago to work in the local VA hospital. A PPD is a TB exposure test. I tested positive for TB exposure. I had previously learned about TB through my studies, but since having a positive PPD I have beefed up my knowledge. Third world countries like those found in Africa are endemic with TB. In order to test positive for TB exposure you must have been in the presence of someone with active TB. This could be in a third world country or in the elevator at a shopping mall, or the drinking fountain at work. Testing positive for TB exposure does not mean you have active TB. When a PPD is positive the next step is to order chest films to look for telltale signs of TB (also people with active TB generally look sick). The significance of active TB is a lingering death sentence. The significance of inactive TB like I have is a 10% life time prevalence of contracting active TB. This may only happen though under sectarian circumstances. TB is an opportunistic infection. That is to say that it strikes when the body is unable to defend itself. Examples would be HIV or people undergoing chemo or radiation therapy. In these cases the body's immune system is unable to fight off TB as the infection "piles on" to existing health problems. Also those with inactive TB can not spread TB to others i.e. they/we are not infectious. The good news is that there are several drugs available for treatment of inactive TB. With a successful course of treatment by these drugs for inactive TB the likely hood of contracting active TB is well less than one percent. There are several drugs for treatment of inactive TB. Currently I am on Isoniazid. I take it once a day for 9 months. Unfortunately Isoniazid is hard on the liver so several foods and alcohol are off the list for those on Isoniazid. Regular blood tests are recommended for those taking Isoniazid to ensure that liver markers are not irregular. This is personal health history for me, but I bring this up because TB is on the rise because of an influx of Mexicans into the US and if you live in a third world country then you are exposed on a regular basis. I would not panic I would just be aware of the implications that an inactive TB infection could have on later life while receiving chemo or radiation therapy when the body is vulnerable to opportunistic infections. PPD tests are simple tests to receive. They inject a small portion of TB serum just under the skin of your arm. If you have been exposed to TB your body has developed antibodies to TB. On injection of the serum the antibodies begin to fight the serum causing are red rash around the injection sight which lasts for several days or weeks like mine. I hope this is helpful to all. It may be a good idea to get tested every several years if you travel to areas with high rates of TB like Africa. It is a wise to check with you’re primary care physician before testing for TB. You may go your whole life and never have a problem or you may after your first safari like me. Good hunting, Brett DRSS Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member WSF Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick. And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too. May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep. May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip. -Seth Peterson | |||
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I have had all of thise shots and with the newer gereration of vaccines there in my case seem to be less side effects.... In fact I had none at all...I remember my first trip to infectious disease doctor... six shots 3 in each arm and no problem... An ounce of prevention is in my opinion better then treating an illness after the fact. Mike | |||
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i think charles about cover it, but i'd get the doxy for sure. malarone is good if you can take it, I can't, the side effects were worse than larium for me so i use doxy. if you get the side effects from malarone, you can always drop it and go to the doxy. take doxy after supper, then the sun effects are much lessened | |||
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I'd also be positive I was up to date on Tetanus vaccinations. Go to the dentist too. Make sure you don't have a dental problem that could crop up while you're on Safari. Not deadly, but it sure can make your life miserable. Shooting a rifle with a toothache isn't going to be much fun. | |||
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Good discussion.....I had the first two injections for Hep B as a first responder and when I decided to go to Africa hunting had the third one and then also had the two shots required for Hep A....yes...there's five injections that must be spaced to become immunized..... I also had Tetanus and MMR injections and all if these in a single year.....it took a long time for my arm to recover and I went to Africa with a sore arm.....the shots can be given to alternating arms but then you have two sore arms. Here's my point.....get the immunizations much more than a year in advance.....if you even think you're going start them.....they might even be helpful if you never do go.....but if I was to do it over again I'd pass on some of them to avoid the sore arms. Consult your doctor about this. My arms are fine now but they was sore for more than a year!!! Don't over do it in a short time is all I'm saying.....go to a travel clinic and get the basic minimum required if the time is short! /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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They also have a combined Hep A and Hep B vaccine called Twinrix. It's three shots, the second at 1mo and the third at 1yr. The normal Hep A vaccine only requires two shots. The Hep shots burn too... | |||
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Yes those syringes are filled with LAVA!!!  | |||
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FYI call or google your city and county health departments. Many will have government subsidized immunizations. Mine only offers tetanus but others have typhoid and hep shots too. It might save you the cost of an Impala :-) | |||
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I had an identical experience after working in several African countries and a lot of other Third World exposure, such as Papua New Guinea. I took the same regimen as treatment. TB in Africa is a very real threat. | |||
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Add Yellow Fever and Rabies to all of the above for me. If all goes right, I'll be in Western Africa next year and the CDC suggests both of these vaccinations for that region. | |||
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You might want to discuss the rabies series with your Doc before taking. I was talked out of it since it is a series - the same series you would take if exposed - and painful. "Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult." | |||
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I'm not trying to act like some tough guy here but I had the Hep A and B series and my arms were never sore...nor did the shots particularly burn. I think that when it comes to shots hurting, it has more to do with the skill (or lack of) of the nurse than with what he or she is actually injecting. With that said, I do realize that some medicines are more painful than others. Landrum | |||
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I didn't think the hep shots burned either. After you receive a shot rub the area regularly to dissipate the injected fluid. It seems to make it less sore and for less time. I would also recommend taking a broad spectrum antibiotic with you like Cypro incase you have dysentery, infection, or other on the hunt. Anti diarrhea meds may be good to stop the "flow". I couldn't imagine anything worse than diarrhea on a baiting leopard hunt. Brett DRSS Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member WSF Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick. And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too. May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep. May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip. -Seth Peterson | |||
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Brett Adam Barringer Being in an airplane for 15 hours with the runs would be awful too. Landrum | |||
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I can't seem to find a definitive answer for immunizations for RSA (Eastern Cape and Limpopo) later this month. I have heard Hep A/B should bot be a concern in these areas. Is that correct? If not, is there anything I should/can do before I leave 20 July? I do plan to take either Cipro or Doxycycline. Which is recommended? I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills. Marcus Cady DRSS | |||
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I just want to mention this for general informational purposes. I just returned from Namibia, which is undoubtedly one of, if not, the cleanest countries in Africa. Prior to leaving, I carefully studied the CDCs recommendations and compared them to where I was going and what I would be doing. I considered a polio vac but upon further reflection and study of its incidences in Namibia, I decided that my childhood vacs would likely be enough, especially since my chances of exposure were nearly nil. After some thought and mostly because I had no clue when I'd had my last tetanus vaccination (I knew it had been less than 10 years but really couldn't recall when) I decided to only get a tetanus shot. I went to my local doctor and said I wanted one. He asked when I'd had my last one, I said, "Sometime in the last 10 years." He said, "How many have you had over the years?" I said promptly, "I dunno, maybe 5 or 6?" He said, "Well, if you want one, I'll give you one, but I just read this study in some medical journal which shows that there has NEVER been a confirmed case of human tetanus where the victim has had two vaccinations in his life." At any rate, since I was there, I got the shot and minus about $50, I'm still lock-jaw free. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't get a tetanus shot, I am suggesting that I wouldn't automatically get one everytime I was going somewhere. xxxxxxxxxx When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere. NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR. I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process. | |||
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Well, I've now had 2 courses of Hep A and Hep B (3rd course will be in Nov), DPT, Typhoid, Polio, and am getting MMR and Meningitis on Friday. Have I missed anything? Andy | |||
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Ebola, anthrax?  xxxxxxxxxx When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere. NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR. I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process. | |||
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I think you've already over done it. I think your good for about any place on planet earth. Call it good and enjoy your hunt. Dirk "An individual with experience is never at the mercies of an individual with an argument" | |||
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I'm not trying to be a wise ass here, but am honestly confused. Am I missing something in this discussion? Cost or insurance implications in the US or something? I go to my travel doctor, tell her where I'm going. She compares my health to the suggested vaccinations and I take whatever she suggests. After all, my degree is in geology, not medicine. Why are hunters playing doctor? I understand and agree with taking responsibility for your own health and all, but the doctor has the training. As for trying to tailor your meds based on what you plan on doing, how many trips to the the mall go exactly as planned, let alone trips to the third world? A couple of years ago, I went to Namibia. Before going, my travel doc gave me a couple of boosters, including polio. Between getting the shots and getting on the plane, there was an outbreak of polio in Namibia. After I was in the country, the Namibian government decided to immunize EVERYBODY in the country, including us visitors. I couldn't talk fast enough to avoid the oral vaccine with its (IIRC) 1 in 2.4 million chance of contracting polio. The booster I had no intention of needing was quite comforting then. I just washed the taste out of my mouth, went hunting and never gave it another thought. Cheers, Dedan ...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men. -Edward, Duke of York | |||
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I always get what my DR. suggests except for the time she recommended rabies vaccination as that stuff cost way to much. Besides, all the animals I ever come in contact with are dead. | |||
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Frequent travelers to Africa likely know more about African diseases than most American doctors. So you can get some good information here. I had a friend who picked up bilharzia. Likely got it when we were based in Ethiopia, but it manifested itself quite dramatically in Nairobi. He flew home immediately to Utah. It took the medicos at the U. of Utah Med School, I seem to recall, three days of intense study to diagnose him. I once got a fever in Angola that I thought would kill me before I got home to Miami. I had a tropical medicine specialist on call. She had authored a book on malaria. She couldn't diagnose me. I stayed home for a month, gradually regaining my strength, and nobody ever discovered what was wrong. I was one sick SOB. You never know. I worked extensively in Africa for eight years and traveled there an additional four years and I got every immunization I could get except cholera, which is generally considered to be worthless, anyway. There is some good advice on this thread. | |||
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jetdrvr, I agree that even specialists in NA may not really know a whole lot about African diseases. I had a similar, but milder, experience with a reccuring mystery bug. I really agree with your habit of getting every immunization you could. What I don't understand is people saying "The doc said I should get shots for x, y, & z. Do you really need x? Besides, I won't be doing anything that would get me exposed to y?" Assuming no underlying conditions, why not just get them all and be done with it? Dean BTW, I'll ask my travel doc about the cholera meds when I go get my shots in an hour or so. ...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men. -Edward, Duke of York | |||
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Maki, In my case my family doc didn't know anything about what is needed for my trip to Zambia. He asked me what immunizations I wanted or needed. Same thing for the scripts that he wrote for Malarone, Doxy, etc. Now, I could go to the travel clinic but they do not accept insurance, only cash or credit card whereas my doc will just bill my insurance company and so far they have paid for everything. That said, I could go to the travel clinic and then try to get my insurance company to reimburse me after the fact but if you've ever dealt with an insurance company you know that that is like getting blood from a rock once you've already paid. Andy | |||
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