quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
I am fortunate to have a few MDs as my friends.

The yellow fever is not required for southern Africa. It was in 2006 for Tanzania, but that's all. I keep my hepatitis A & B up to date. I bring Laruium for malaria. Once I forgot it and it was avaiable at the airport in Jo'burg. My tetanus is up to date.

I take cipeo and cephlaxin (spelling?) for two antibiotics. I forgot the anti diarrhea pills I bring with me. I also bring pain meds, sleep meds for the flight over and my diabetic supplies. However, the last several years Zimbabwe has had a good supply of meds and everything I need or use has been avaiable at chemists (drug stores) in the ciites and towns.

In 2002-3-5 I used to stock up on my diabetic meds in South AFrica as the same meds there cost less than my co pay in the States!!

You can give your meds to the locals when you depart. Your PH will want some, too--either for his personal use or his medical kit.

In 2008 about nothing was available in Zim for meds but that has changed now. Bring what you can and you can also buy what you need when there. The US dollar goes a long way in SA (14:1) and even more so in Zim as all cash there has dried up and can't be found. If you have US $ you will be treated like a king and folks will kiss up to you for your business.
Good luck on your trip.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
It is getting harder to find a good primary care doc! Insurance issues and all.

Anyhow, for immunizations you do need to figure out what you have had.

For certain, you need to have tetanus up to date- within 10 years.

I'd get the typhoid vaccine as well. That's available as a shot or oral. I like the oral better. It's a series, so you will need multiple appointments for that, but the injection is every 2 years.

Make sure you had the polio series as well. If you had it as a kid, you are fine.

They now want you to have a dose of measles/jumps/rubella after age 12. Depending on how old you are you may need 2 doses.

You can get cholera vaccine- but it's not mandated.

Rabies- up to you. I got it, but getting it does not stop the need for immunoglobulin in an exposure situation. For guys hunting cats, I'd say it's a nobrainer to get it, but bats are the most likely cause, and often you don't know you were bitten. Most camps you sleep under mosquito nets, so... in the end your call.


Yellow fever isn't necessary.

Hep A is a 3 shot series. Depending on how you get it, sometimes they recommend a booster. This is recommended.

Hep b is a 3 shot series and is recommended for everyone, not just travelers.

As to antibiotics... kind of depends on your background as to medical stuff.

No background- get a course of cipro. If you get the diarrhea for more than 3 days start it, or if there is some obvious infection. It is broad spectrum and works on most stuff.

If you have some clue as to what kind of infections... Cipro and doxycycline. Doxy works for tick fever and some kinds of infections cipro doesn't.

If you really know what to look for, a third Med might be a good idea, but since you are asking... don't bother .

I'd bring a good anti inflammatory. Ibuprofen or aspirin are good. Tylenol is a safer choice for pain, but it does not have anti inflammatory properties.

Narcotics- these can be a source of no end of trouble. If you don't have a history of something needing them (kidney stones, etc) I'd avoid the risk of an African jail. It can be done, but.... if you must, make sure it's in the original script bottle with your name and directions on it.

If you have any prescription mess you take regularly, take them plus a written set of scripts in case you need to replace something so you know what it is.

I'd also bring hydrocortisone or similar cream.

There really is no need for prescription antidiarreals. Imodium is pretty much what we use regardless.

Get a supply of allergy pills. Claritin or Zyrtec. Stay away from Benadryl as it's controlled in some countries (Zambia for certain)

If you are over 50, I'd bring a vial of nitroglycerin tabs although mostly they are not needed. With aspirin this can be a lifesaver if you have a heart attack while waiting for your evacuation.

If you have bad allergies or asthma, a supply of prednisone can be a lifesaver.

You really need to kind of make a risk/benefit assessment with your doc. You don't want to be a walking pharmacy, but some simple things are useful.

Also, make sure you have a Med Evac insurance plan.

Global rescue/Med jet/whatever. Most companies insist on something.

As to malaria, you need to start malarone a few days before and continue about a week after you return. Any doc can prescribe that.

Some folks recommend doxy for that too. I don't. Side effects, resistance building, esophagitis, etc. are reasons not to. If your allergic or have a reaction to malarone is about the only real reason to use it.

Latium has a lot of psych reactions. It's no longer recommended.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I have been vaccinated against everything for which vaccines are available.

I'm as immune as immune can be.

And for everything else, I have Zithromax, Cipro and Doxycycline.

And for every other thing else, I have Immodium and Zyrtec.

And for the tsetse flies and mosquitoes, I have 100% DEET, mixed with Nivea, and Malarone.

And for the rest, I have my prescription medicine and mobile CVS body repair packet.

And finally, should all else fail, I have Global Rescue.

And yet, I do wonder sometimes, am I missing anything?

quote:

Originally posted by 4WD:
Hey Andrew, maybe you would want to join us. We could use you as the elephant deterent .I am sure that would work much better than your recommended cream!!
Cheers.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Some Elephant deterrent cream is recommended.