animallovernyc

Planning a first trip to S.A. next month. We have never had immunizations before, except for the various ones you get as a child in the U.S. We’ve read some posts that immunizations are not necessary in S.A., but then we heard some horror stories about Hepatitis, as well as other diseases that are prevalent throughout South Africa. We try to be health conscious and we don’t like to take medication, etc., so we would like to avoid the immunizations if possible. Since time is so short before we would depart, I’m not even sure we would be able to get immunizations if necessary.

So, my questions are these:
1) Do you really need immunizations to visit S.A.? Is there really a risk?
2) What ones are absolutely necessary?
3) If we do not take immunizations for Hepatitis, for example, how can we avoid the risk of getting it? Areas to avoid? Food to avoid? etc.

rhkkmk

depending on where you go in SA you may want to take malaria meds, like malerone for example....you need to see a travel clinic immediately however....hep A shot is important these days even at home

rhkkmk

look at the cdc website for guidance

sniktawk

" but then we heard some horror stories about Hepatitis, as well as other diseases that are prevalent throughout South Africa."

Who is it that tells you this?

ann_nyc

Your best bet is always to consult a travel doctor.

Be aware that Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are different diseases with different modes of transmission, and different innoculations.

Your risks depend not only on where you are going, but on your personal habits. A person who wants to eat street food will get a different recommendation from a person who plans to eat only piping hot cooked food in a restaurant. A person who is considering recreational sex or drugs will get a different recommendation from a more conservative personality. A person who has pre-existing health conditions will get a different recommendation from one who does not have this complexity, and who is less likely to need local medical care.

sandi

You can get Hep A, B (even C) anywhere. You don't need to travel out of the country.

The CDC site, www.cdc.gov/travel is good resource, as well a travel clinic who specialize in tropical diseases.

Some inocs even adults should be current, if never more than a few yards from home:
- Tetanus (good for 10/yrs)
- Hep A (good for 10/yrs)

discuss with your physician.

Of course, malaria meds.