Japanese B Encephalitis

Vasko · Jun 6th, 2003, 18:49

Has anyone taken the shot for Japanese B Encephalitis before traveling to epidemic and endemic areas in India? If you have, have you had any adverse side-effects? Reportedly they can be quite nasty, ranging from allergic reactions to severe reactions in the nervous system. My doctor has just kindly informed me that the vaccination can "drive you crazy" for a while. What a health care professional!

Any comments?

vistet · Jun 6th, 2003, 19:09

Actually , he/she sounds professional to me : he gave you the worst case scenario and left it to you to make a informed decision.

The thing to remember is as I see it is to compare the worst case scenario from the treatment with the worst case scenario from the disease. My guess is that this is uncovered ground in your conversation since you hesitate. I mean , encaphalitis attacks the brain - when do you not want to protect to protect your CPU ?

IndyBoy · Jun 6th, 2003, 19:29

I had it last year, and no problems at all, wibble wibble, hoot hoot RRARGGHGH!!H!!

honest!

However, the nurse did let on that the vaccine wasn't properly licenced for use!

Not sure if i'd get it again - I guess it depends if you are going to an area with many cases of the disease.

Vasko · Jun 6th, 2003, 22:20

vistet,

I agree that it is professional for the doctor to give information on possible scenarios concerning a vaccination/disease and then help in weighing out the best course of action.

In my case the doctor actually let out a suppressed gasp of horror when I inquired about the shot for Jap Encephalitis, after which he proceeded to tell me that its worst side effect is momentary madness - which, in his words, is not as bad as the disease itself. No info on the milder side effects, no info on how common they are, etc., which was unprofessional. When I asked for more details of the possible side effects, he asked me if I really wanted to know! After saying yes, please, he once again came back to the madness-theme, this time in terms of psychosis.

It was left up to me to figure out what the possible "momentary madness" actually consists of (thank God for the internet). An informative site is:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/jencephalitis/index.htm

Sorry, I just had to vent out my disappointment - but you all know how it is when you feel you can't trust a professional who deals with your health...?

vistet · Jun 7th, 2003, 00:32

Quote:

Originally posted by Vasko

....suppressed gasp of horror

... he asked me if I really wanted to know!

Highly unproffessional , to put it mildly ( the swedish medical jargon term that implies that you have received your licence as a free gift in a cereal box comes to mind) - vent away.

Thanx for the CDC link - very informative.

wonderwomanusa · Jun 7th, 2003, 05:47

I had the vaccine for JB Encephalitis in 1989 (last visit to India) and don't recall being any crazier than usual. I'm not getting it for this upcoming visit.

UltraViolet · Jun 7th, 2003, 06:49

My doctor wanted to charge me £100 for the pleasure of the vaccine...i'm not going to bother with it.

DianeN. · May 28th, 2004, 10:41

This is in reply to the message on the other thread about Japanese Encephalitis.

I have been living in Japan for 25 years, and no one has ever ever once suggested that I should be immunized for Japanese Encephalitis, though all children receive several rounds of it while in kindergarten and elementary school. Basically, I heard that it is only children that are affected by it. Before going to India I started looking into vaccinations and was astonished to learn that this is recommended for a trip to India.

Even more astonishing, is reading the messages on this thread that the shot causes temporary madness! Well, my kids were always acting sort of mad when they were little....had no idea I could blame it on the shot!

Like I said, every single child gets the shot when little...but no adult does. I don't know if you have a lifetime immunity after getting the shot or not...but probably its considered important for children and not for adults.

This is not to say that the situation in India and the mosquitos there is the same. Personally, my beliefs are if you are going on a long trip, you had better get everything. A short trip---maybe not so necessary.

My completely unprofessional thoughts.
Diane

vistet · May 28th, 2004, 13:11

Not claiming any actual knowledge here, but a search came up with this from Columbia Uni website :

[/quote]

Quote:

Japanese encephalitis is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia resulting in a fatal outcome in 25% of cases and residual neuropsychiatric sequelae in 30% of cases. The mosquito vector is found in rural areas and breeds in flooded rice fields

This probably puts most travellers and residents to Japan out of risk the zone . Another .edu site mentions that it predominantly affects children.

Quote:

Indications:

Vaccination is recommended for travelers who will be in areas where JE is endemic or epidemic during the transmission season. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ALL PERSONS TRAVELING TO ASIA. The use of insect repellents, protective clothing, and avoidance of outdoor activity during twilight and evening will reduce risk even further.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianeN.
I don't know if you have a lifetime immunity after getting the shot or not...

Quote:

The CDC recommends a booster dose of 1cc SQ at least 3 years after completion of the primary series; if needed for travel. The manufacturer states a booster dose may be given after 2 years but gives no definitive recommendation on the spacing of boosters thereafter.

Link to the quotes , contraindicatons...

Anders · May 29th, 2004, 15:57

I found this very interesting quote at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/jencephalitis/qa.htm

Quote:

Fewer than 1 case/year is reported in U.S. civilians and military personnel traveling to and living in Asia.

mercedes10 · May 29th, 2004, 16:10

Interesting thread!

My local Doctor said I'd only need this vaccination if I was going to India for more than a month (I'm going for 3 weeks). To be honest I never quite understand this way of thinking (the same was said of rabies vaccination) because surely the odds are that you could just as easily contract something in a week, whilst someone else might be there a year and get nothing! Weird!

So, do most people here get the Jap.Encephalitis vaccination or not?? How prevalent is it in India? I will be there in July when, I'm lead to believe, the mosquitos are at their worst. Does anyone think I should get it??

edwardseco · May 30th, 2004, 04:56

What area makes a big difference. Rural Andhra and its there. Even then I haven't done it..

kblackwood · May 30th, 2004, 11:40

Hi - July will be my 2nd visit to India. The 1st I traveled delhi, then part of Punjab and up to Simla - three weeks. This time Mumbai for three weeks. I don't know about you but since I am from the US going to a 5th world developing country with less than resources of all kinds - I want to appreciate India not contract something that could be fatal or ongoing - so I have had 8 shots of all kinds the last time including Japanese Encephalitis and a follow up two years later - now for the July trip. Like all vaccines there are risks but for me the bigger risk is contracting something I could easily prevent. Hope this helps. No real side effects so far except some sore arm muscles. Happy travels!

Bryan · May 30th, 2004, 22:16

Never met anyone who has caught this or met anyone who has met anyone who caught it ,,,could be because they died.
I've never bothered with it but its got to be a personal choice

Bryan

Jun 6th, 2003, 18:49	#1
Vasko Non-speaker fruit-eater Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: State of Contemplation Posts: 493	Japanese B Encephalitis Has anyone taken the shot for Japanese B Encephalitis before traveling to epidemic and endemic areas in India? If you have, have you had any adverse side-effects? Reportedly they can be quite nasty, ranging from allergic reactions to severe reactions in the nervous system. My doctor has just kindly informed me that the vaccination can "drive you crazy" for a while. What a health care professional! Any comments?

Jun 7th, 2003, 05:47	#6
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dhaka Posts: 3,567	I had the vaccine for JB Encephalitis in 1989 (last visit to India) and don't recall being any crazier than usual. I'm not getting it for this upcoming visit. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

May 30th, 2004, 11:40	#13
kblackwood Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: DORCHESTER,MA Posts: 2	Hi - July will be my 2nd visit to India. The 1st I traveled delhi, then part of Punjab and up to Simla - three weeks. This time Mumbai for three weeks. I don't know about you but since I am from the US going to a 5th world developing country with less than resources of all kinds - I want to appreciate India not contract something that could be fatal or ongoing - so I have had 8 shots of all kinds the last time including Japanese Encephalitis and a follow up two years later - now for the July trip. Like all vaccines there are risks but for me the bigger risk is contracting something I could easily prevent. Hope this helps. No real side effects so far except some sore arm muscles. Happy travels! __________________ Later, K

May 30th, 2004, 22:16	#14
Bryan Mega Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 638	Never met anyone who has caught this or met anyone who has met anyone who caught it ,,,could be because they died. I've never bothered with it but its got to be a personal choice Bryan __________________ Then let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that), That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth, Shall bear the gree an a' that. For a' that, an a' that, It's coming yet for a' that, That man to man, the world, o'er Shall brithers be for a' that. - Burns

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Jun 6th, 2003, 19:09	#2
vistet Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Umeå , Sweden Posts: 1,764	Actually , he/she sounds professional to me : he gave you the worst case scenario and left it to you to make a informed decision. The thing to remember is as I see it is to compare the worst case scenario from the treatment with the worst case scenario from the disease. My guess is that this is uncovered ground in your conversation since you hesitate. I mean , encaphalitis attacks the brain - when do you not want to protect to protect your CPU ?

Jun 6th, 2003, 19:29	#3
IndyBoy Wandering fool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NE UK Posts: 147	I had it last year, and no problems at all, wibble wibble, hoot hoot RRARGGHGH!!H!! honest! However, the nurse did let on that the vaccine wasn't properly licenced for use! Not sure if i'd get it again - I guess it depends if you are going to an area with many cases of the disease.

Jun 6th, 2003, 22:20	#4
Vasko Non-speaker fruit-eater Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: State of Contemplation Posts: 493	vistet, I agree that it is professional for the doctor to give information on possible scenarios concerning a vaccination/disease and then help in weighing out the best course of action. In my case the doctor actually let out a suppressed gasp of horror when I inquired about the shot for Jap Encephalitis, after which he proceeded to tell me that its worst side effect is momentary madness - which, in his words, is not as bad as the disease itself. No info on the milder side effects, no info on how common they are, etc., which was unprofessional. When I asked for more details of the possible side effects, he asked me if I really wanted to know! After saying yes, please, he once again came back to the madness-theme, this time in terms of psychosis. It was left up to me to figure out what the possible "momentary madness" actually consists of (thank God for the internet). An informative site is:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/jencephalitis/index.htm Sorry, I just had to vent out my disappointment - but you all know how it is when you feel you can't trust a professional who deals with your health...?

Jun 7th, 2003, 06:49	#7
UltraViolet Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: UK Posts: 104	My doctor wanted to charge me £100 for the pleasure of the vaccine...i'm not going to bother with it.

May 28th, 2004, 10:41	#8
DianeN. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Japan Posts: 255	This is in reply to the message on the other thread about Japanese Encephalitis. I have been living in Japan for 25 years, and no one has ever ever once suggested that I should be immunized for Japanese Encephalitis, though all children receive several rounds of it while in kindergarten and elementary school. Basically, I heard that it is only children that are affected by it. Before going to India I started looking into vaccinations and was astonished to learn that this is recommended for a trip to India. Even more astonishing, is reading the messages on this thread that the shot causes temporary madness! Well, my kids were always acting sort of mad when they were little....had no idea I could blame it on the shot! Like I said, every single child gets the shot when little...but no adult does. I don't know if you have a lifetime immunity after getting the shot or not...but probably its considered important for children and not for adults. This is not to say that the situation in India and the mosquitos there is the same. Personally, my beliefs are if you are going on a long trip, you had better get everything. A short trip---maybe not so necessary. My completely unprofessional thoughts. Diane

May 29th, 2004, 16:10	#11
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Interesting thread! My local Doctor said I'd only need this vaccination if I was going to India for more than a month (I'm going for 3 weeks). To be honest I never quite understand this way of thinking (the same was said of rabies vaccination) because surely the odds are that you could just as easily contract something in a week, whilst someone else might be there a year and get nothing! Weird! So, do most people here get the Jap.Encephalitis vaccination or not?? How prevalent is it in India? I will be there in July when, I'm lead to believe, the mosquitos are at their worst. Does anyone think I should get it??

May 30th, 2004, 04:56	#12
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,137	What area makes a big difference. Rural Andhra and its there. Even then I haven't done it..

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