Japanese Encephalitis

mapleleaf

My Doctor, using the Center for Disease Control site, recommends immunization against japanese encephalitis, along with malaria, typhoid, diptheria, hep a/b, polio. My pharmacist told me the drugs will run about $1,000.00 Canadian. The encephalitis itself is $600.00 or $200.00 for each of three shots.

Since I'm travelling on a first class tour, is this really necessary? Anyone have any experience with this?

Bex

Hi there, (newbie so i could be wrong)

My doctor (who goes to India frequently) said its not neccessary unless you are staying in an affected area for a long period of time during monsoon.

I.e. i'm going to India in Oct for 6 weeks and am not staying for more than 3-4 days in each place = no need for the shots...

She did recommend all the others though - i've been told its cheaper to get your malaria meds in India itself, and you wont need a script....

PeakXV

Where abouts in India are you going to be travelling?

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We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time.
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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

edwardseco

And when since there is a season for JE. Mosquitoes bite even first class tourists. However, its not that common and is found in particular areas. Villages in Andhra, UP and Nepal near their border, etc. I seem to remember Lucknow. Its less effective than many vaccines although if you got the disease anyway you would well appreciate the reduction in ferocity as it is an evil disease. I haven't bothered..

Bex

Not so much a season i think - i thought she meant there were more mossies during monsoon...

Agree with edwardseco - dont bother.

edwardseco

One time I read that JE ended about November and picked up again in... Alas, frail memory. Now to search about..

mapleleaf

Not only will mosquitos bite first class tourists--if there's one in 500 miles, it will find me..........

I'll be there from Nov. 8-29--hitting the regular tourist sites I guess--Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, Periyar and Madras.

Appreciate the responses I've had so far.

Myaheartsyoga

Hubby and I went to mostly the same places as you and our Dr. said there was no need. She said if we were going to be spending months out in a rice paddy or doing agricultural work, then it would be warranted, but with that kind of itinerary, deet up and you will be fine!

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Now I know how Jimmy Buffet feels.

Kapumana

On the other hand, Jap E in Goa is common. The lifecycle of the virus (bacteria?) needs wading birds, pigs and mossies, all of which abound in Goa. You can get them done cheaper in India but probably won't have the time if you're on a scheduled tour. Certainly deet up all the time. The Jap E mossie bites during the day.

good luck

patrickstpanther

G'day Kapumana
I am just about to move to Bangalore and weighing up the cost of shots here in Canada, and waiting until I get to India... Are you sure it's possible to get shots in India?
Cheers for your help

HelenR

We didn't get Jap E shots. Our travel medicine doctor said we don't need it unless we're going to live in a rural village or work in the swamps or forests. She told us that it's advisable for long term stays and if you're going to be traveling in swamps or deep forests.

Another couple of friends of ours went to a different doctor, at a different time, got the same response.

This might sound like a joke but there are organic Jap E teas. I have no idea if they're effective. But if you're so paranoid, you might want to give them a shot. I'm not sure if you can find them in Canada but in the US they can be found in every Whole Foods, maybe even Trader Joe's (the one I go to does).

Don't take CDC so seriously. This is an organization which has made some completely ridiculous and false statements. Just because they recommend it doesn't mean your doctor has to too.

On the other hand, you should get typhoid, diptheria, hep a/b, and polio. We also got meningoccocal. These were about $600 US, including the consultation fee. Maybe just cross the border and get them done here?

gembalina

You can even get the vaccination for JE in Australia at the moment, it hasn't been available for some months (which of course made me freak out and feel like I really need it). The travel doc I saw though said it's not really necessary unless you're going to be in certain areas for an extended period of time, so for a tourist like me who'll be in India for 3 weeks, not needed... and too bad if it was needed!

Buck

My doctor in Scotland didn't have a clue, but he researched it and was as confused as we all are. WE came to the decision that during a 10,000k journey round India it only takes a couple of hours in an infected area to be bitten and suffer! So, I had the shots. They only cost me £92 which is under $200! Trouble is there is no run out date so you have to take your chances next time or go through it again.

hfot2

Re getting "malaria meds" in India, please check befoe you go and read further here -- seems to be some question about WHICH prophylaxis meds are readily available and you certainly don't want to use Lariam when you can use Malarone. Also, some use doxy, others say it's less effective. Others avoid antibiotics when it is not indicated. So - please check further.

mapleleaf:

First class matters not - in fact, first class tourists may taste better to mossies than lower classes, who knows? On a more serious note:

On JE, our travel doc said the same as others here have reported. We've been back and forth to India, traveled in different seasons in different states and never had the shots - but again, listen to your travel doc as well.

Although we have never had this shot either, I'm surprised that rabies wasn't mentioned as well.

distaff half of hfot2

HelenR

About rabies, our doctor told us that we just should stay away from local doggies and kitties (but cowies are ok, I asked) and not pet them. All of a sudden, all eyes were turned on me I can't help it! I came across a very friendly doggie in another country and didn't think twice about petting her. Shouldn't have, but that wagging tail and the cute look got me...

Anyway, in the end, our doctor didn't think rabies was necessary.