My friend's 14 year old NON-Vax daughter is going on a school trip to Guatemala...

[Mandomami]

Should she be worried??

Also any info on herbal remedies and such that are recommended to boost her immune system before she goes?

Thanks!

[slmommy]

I don't specifically know anything about Guatemala, and I think it depends a lot on how long a person is going, where will they be staying (rural/urban - access to medical care), in what circumstances?

I think some general good tips for all travel, especially developing countries -

wash hands

don't drink drinks with ice 

make sure the water bottle is really sealed when you buy one

watch what locals do - for example are they going in the water at a certain beach or not? tourists may not be aware if the water is heavily polluted/sewage

[member234098]

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Edited by member234098 - 5/27/12 at 1:30pm

[slmommy]

eh, according to WHO (take it or leave it)

http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/en/globalsummary/countryprofileselect.cfm (and select Guatemala)

they have a pretty high vax rate for everything other than rota.

From the Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Yellow Fever, Diphtheria, Hib Men, Japanese Encephalitis, Polio, Pertussis  table -

in 2010 - only 2 cases of tetanus,

in 2009 1 case mumps, 4 cases tetanus,

in 2008 627 cases mumps, 60 pertussis, 2 tetanus

I wouldn't really worry too much about vpd unless she is going to spend months on a rural farm with no access to healthcare without driving for hours. 

I would probably be more worried about what minor cold she could potentially contract on the plane, stuck there for hours. 

I'm also guessing your friend had her reasons for not vaxing her daughter. 

[LucyLoretta]

How about trying to convince your friend to vaccinate her daugher? Herbal remedies aren't going to do any good.

[slmommy]

Originally Posted by LucyLoretta 

How about trying to convince your friend to vaccinate her daugher? Herbal remedies aren't going to do any good.

I'm sure if this mother has not vaxed her daughter in 14 years, she has her reasons. 

I think what the OP was asking for was info about vpd incidence in Guatemala and how to minimize risk of any disease.

[stik]

The major concerns for Guatemala are typhoid and malaria.  These are primarily concerns for rural areas.  Most school trips stick to cities.  Anti-malarial drugs are recommended for most travelers, but it's only an issue in the mountains.  If she's worried about that, anti-malarials are not vaccines.  

[Mandomami]

Thanks for everyone's input.

She went on the trip and she was fine..Thank God. My friend as well as myself have religious reasons for not vaccinating. With the media, making vaccinations seem like the right thing to do, sometimes we worry about our decision but ultimately stand by it.

Same as I don't judge people who vaccinate, I appreciate those who respect my decision not to.

Again thanks for the input.
 

[Mandomami]

thank you!