Info on 3 poss. vaccines for India

[sphinxie]

I'm going to India. My DH already got his shots, and he says he got Hep A, Hep B, and Japanese Encephylitis.

So I'm wondering about these shots. Are there any I can do without, in your opinion? Anything else I should know?

FWIW, I don't feel like my health & immune system are very good right now. And in the past every time I went to India I got at least one bug.

[Fyrestorm]

I went to Egypt (with 18mo at the time DD & DH) and we did just fine with out any of them. I wouldn't take the chance.

[snowbird25ca]

I know someone else will pipe in with more info, but I wouldn't do any of them...

The japenese encephalitis vax has the highest level of thimerosol in it of any vax there ever has been. The other thing is, that they don't know how the vax works - when it actually works. This is something I'm not completely clear on how to explain, but the disease itself isn't completely understood... I'm sure this is where someone else will be able to explain more.

I'd rather look into ways of boosting the immune system than put extras into the body that will make it work harder just to keep your body functioning... In a healthy person the vast majority of the time hep A and hep B are cleared without the person knowing they've had it or they have minor symptoms. A well functioning immune system will ensure that you're in the majority that has no problems in the event you actually were exposed to either of these.

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by sphinxie

So I'm wondering about these shots. Are there any I can do without, in your opinion?

Yes, all of them.

FWIW, I don't feel like my health & immune system are very good right now.

So why would you consider injecting it with toxins, heavy metals and other chemicals? That will not make you any healthier.

And in the past every time I went to India I got at least one bug.

The Hep A, Hep B, nor Japanese Encephalitis vaccine will prevent that.

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by snowbird25ca

The japenese encephalitis vax has the highest level of thimerosol in it of any vax there ever has been.

I'm glad you brought this up. JE vaccine contains a whopping 37.5 micrograms of mercury per dose. The series consists of THREE doses.

Some notable facts regarding JE: the vast majority of infections are asymptomatic: only 1 in 250 infections develop into encephalitis and infection confers lifelong immunity.

[sphinxie]

Originally Posted by Gitti

So why would you consider injecting it with toxins, heavy metals and other chemicals? That will not make you any healthier.

If any of those vaccines were at all functional (from a selective vacc perspective) it would be a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation... with a low level of health you're more likely to get sick so the vaccines that you can get are more needed... but on the other hand they will be more damaging to you at the same time.

Thanks guys. I have pretty much decided not to go, because I just got back from another trip and do not feel healthy and strong enough to go to India. But I will keep this for future reference because it's most likely we will reschedule the trip for next year, same time & place.

[evenstarlight]

I've been to India twice, Cameroon, The Philippines, China, and never got any special shots for any of those trips...EXCEPT I had to get a yellow fever one for Africa. It was "required to show proof of" to enter the country.
I never took malaria tablets either.

[sphinxie]

Ugh... okay, I'm going again.

Will definitely not take the Japanese Encephylitis shot. Might take the Heps, although I'd heard A is not a big deal, in which ase I wouldn't take it.

DH also mentioned the traveler's diarrhea vaccine. Anybody know the lowdown on that one?

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by sphinxie

DH also mentioned the traveler's diarrhea vaccine. Anybody know the lowdown on that one?

I have a thread on it - will either bump it or link it in a few minutes. Gotta run back to the stove!

[Rico'sAlice]

Hep B

What wild plans do you have for this vacation?

What makes you think HepB will be a concern there if it's not one at home?

Our super-duper friends at the CDC say:

2. How is hepatitis B virus spread?

Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with the blood and
body fluids of an infected person. A person can get infected in
several ways, such as:
- by having unprotected sex with an infected person
- by sharing needles when injecting illegal drugs
- by being stuck with a used needle on the job
- during birth when the virus passes from an infected mother to
her baby

Adults at risk for HBV infection include:
- people who have more than one sex partner in 6 months
- men who have sex with other men
- sex contacts of infected people
- people who inject illegal drugs
- health care workers and public safety workers who might be
exposed to infected blood or body fluids
- household contacts of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus
infection
- hemodialysis patients

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=101084

[sphinxie]

Rico's Alice... plus I read about the link to MS!

So I was planning to get Hep A and Traveler's Diarrhea vaccine, but I crashed (was on 4 hrs of sleep) and slept through the appointment. I guess it wasn't meant to be!

[Gitti]

I am very glad especially since according to your siggy you are TTC.

Why would you even consider injecting mercury in any amount in that case? That is beyond me.

[sphinxie]

Originally Posted by Gitti

I am very glad especially since according to your siggy you are TTC.

Oh no, it says "pre-TTC"