Side Effects of Vaccines

wonderwomanusa · May 17th, 2007, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullred

I have an appointment at a clinic tomorrow. After my appointment, I will update this thread. I have no idea what the doctor will propose.

Be aware though that the medical care in the Netherlands is of the most useless standard ever. Let's see how it goes...

Fullred

Useless? Years ago I got all my traveling shots at the Tropen Institut in Amsterdam, and they were terrific!

machadinha · May 17th, 2007, 23:13

Yes, I didn't get it either. And inoculations partly insured, could be worse from what I read here.

slumpainter · May 17th, 2007, 23:59

I got my Tet/Dip shot on a Wednesday Afternoon and was fine until Thursay afternoon, exactly 24 hours later, my arm hurt and I felt like I had Diptheria! I had to cancel my date with Paris H.

ElizabethNYC · May 21st, 2007, 03:47

I felt like I had the flu and my arm hurt bad for 2 days.

HKeleher · May 25th, 2007, 22:40

Whew.

I work for a telecommunications company and I'll be traveling to New Delhi next week. Back in February a project I was working on got moved up so that I would be in Brazil for 15 days, 5 days home then out to India for another 15 days. I had to make a mad scramble to get my immunizations since the trips were to take place in March! Thank goodness for expedited Visa applications, heheh.

I had to get my standard MMR booster shots, tetanus (DPT), hepatitus a/b, yellow fever (for Brazil), typhoid, polio I think and start taking my malaria medication 10 days before I left for Brazil. The doctor said that this was not recommended but better than doing nothing, lol!

The long and short is that my body was dealing with a lot and I picked up a really nasty cold that lasted for most of my trip to Brazil. I did end up getting a chest infection as a result just 4 days prior to leaving (a bad one too with 102 temp.) I went to the doctor, got some antibiotics and some other medication which helped clear that up but it lingered for most of my time in Brazil. While I was there my India trip got postponed so at least I didn't have to deal with the shock of traveling there almost immediately after. As well I'm fully recovered and ready to go now, heheh.

So can you do this? Some can, sure. But I would not recommend it if you can possible avoid doing so. I didn't have much choice given the last minute travel plans so I had to roll the dice. It could have been better and it could have been worse.

Blowball · Jun 2nd, 2007, 23:47

If I go to India, I will keep the jabs to a minimum. I read on another site that to many a doctor vaccination is a way of making money, so they recommend as many jabs as possible.

Since I got my last jabs at least a quarter of a century ago, I would probably have to get all of the stuff again, which might be too much for my poor old body

Which of the absolutely necessary vaccinations are less urgent so that one could also have them upon arrival in India? I assume Indian doctors know more about those deceases than rural Portuguese ones, who never leave their country except for neighboring Spain

machadinha · Jun 3rd, 2007, 11:39

I'm sorry Blowball but I think this is having it the wrong way around.

Yes I sometimes wonder about all the stuff apparently recommended in some places and the prices that go with it. The thing is trying to figure out what isn't really required I'd still prefer asking with a professional, who may then be in the business of etc.

My recommendation would still be be go to a reputable travel health clinic, or doctor who is known to specialize in tropical diseases, in Portugal. Boards or websites are no more than that, and if there'd be a clear-cut answer it would be a big fat sticky thread here.

Finally, economizing is one thing but your health may not be the best place to start. As for your poor old body, I'm sure India has seen a few more geriatrics than you

Nick-H · Jun 3rd, 2007, 12:27

Once upon a time people got vaccinations. It was, and is, recognised that some of those vaccinations had some side effects; sometimes like getting a mild form of the disease for a day or two.

Now people get vaccinations and blame every illness that happens to them subsequently on the vaccinations.

You get a cold and a chest infection because you breathed in some viruses and bacteria, not because you had vaccinations. Unless, of course, you caught them at the surgery --- which is always possible!

But simple historical cause and effect has given way to dogma, and now vaccinations are too much for you, or weaken the immune system in some way.

There are individual vaccinations that one could certainly argue the safety of: that is a very different matter.

I am not convinced that vaccinations are anything other than a work-out for the immune system.

My own failure to keep my innoculations up to date is due entirely to laziness.

machadinha · Jun 3rd, 2007, 12:33

Oh well I felt a little groggy having a bunch of shots and thinking I'd have a blood test while I was it.

Would I take that as an advice against getting inoculated? Nope.

The typhoid shot was a little hurtful yes and got me mildly feverish and left a sore for a day, I think it's renowned for it, which doesn't mean it happens to everybody. I can't stand needles really and mostly get all giggly, much to the amusement of the nurses involved, you'd think they've seen it all before. Typically having those appointments at 7 AM won't help.

Nick-H · Jun 3rd, 2007, 12:52

Ahhh, Mach...

When I was a boy we were real men: we didn't grumble about the shots, we used to stand on our own two feet, get diphtheria and polio and die!

...Actually, I grumbled about the shots to the extent that, once or twice my screaming and shouting caused me to be thrown out of the doctor's surgery. But they didn't use throw-away needles in those days: they were thick and blunt.

.

Blowball · Jun 3rd, 2007, 16:29

Do Indians themselves get all those jabs? And if not, if their bodies were used to most of those germs and able to handle them without help, wouldn't that also apply to foreigners who have lived in India for years?
Nick-H, you seem to have lived there for quite some time, so you might as well be safe without refreshing your vaccination.

Silmaril · Jun 3rd, 2007, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowball

Do Indians themselves get all those jabs? And if not, if their bodies were used to most of those germs and able to handle them without help, wouldn't that also apply to foreigners who have lived in India for years?
Nick-H, you seem to have lived there for quite some time, so you might as well be safe without refreshing your vaccination.

Possibly there is just quite a high rate of infection in India - I imagine if they could get immunised they would! It's like in Egypt, my nurse said there's something like 60% of some communities have HepB . . . if healthcare was more fairly distributed throughout the world more Egyptians (and I imagine more Indians) would be innoculated against some of the things (especially Hepititas (sp?) and rabies) that travellers are advised to get.

Most vaccinations seem to be against serious illnesses, as opposed to the local germs and bacteria, which we'll all just have to adapt to (and Nick presumably has). But there's a big difference between taking a few risks with street food and getting Delhi Belly, and not getting vaccinated and getting Hep B . . .

I realise I sound quite paranoid, but having had the jabs means there's just one less thing that can go wrong when travelling. I view it like wearing a crash helmet when riding a motorbike. Sure, you could not wear it, and probably be fine, but if it's there it makes sense to use it, and if you do need it, you really need it!

If the price is an issue:
-shop around, see if some places offer them for a bit less. For example, Typhoid and Diptheria are free at the place I go to.
-ask for them as a present: no kidding, I want Hep B before I go travelling in 2008, so I'm going to ask my parents for it as my birthday and/or Christmas present. Granted, this requires some forward planning.
-work out which ones are most likely to be important, and get them; it's not an all-or-nothing question. You can maybe get a few more jabs before each new trip . . . though I prefer to get them over with asap!

Happy jabbing!

Nick-H · Jun 3rd, 2007, 17:26

I've been here a very short time in terms of an immune system --- on and off for one year, and all of the last year. Other IM long-termers have been here longer than I have.

But those major diseases are world killers --- those who cannot afford inoculations and/or treatment die. People over 50 are considered already old here. Some people are immune to Malaria; it is still one of the biggest killers in the world.

Silmaril · Jun 3rd, 2007, 18:09

I think that's what I meant, more succinctly put

travelmaniac02 · Jun 19th, 2007, 08:26

After the vaccinations, I hint of nausea. then I was told to avoid pregnancy. that's it.

May 17th, 2007, 23:13	#32
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,132	Yes, I didn't get it either. And inoculations partly insured, could be worse from what I read here. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

May 21st, 2007, 03:47	#34
ElizabethNYC Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 6	tet/dip shot I felt like I had the flu and my arm hurt bad for 2 days.

Jun 3rd, 2007, 12:27	#38
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,219	Once upon a time people got vaccinations. It was, and is, recognised that some of those vaccinations had some side effects; sometimes like getting a mild form of the disease for a day or two. Now people get vaccinations and blame every illness that happens to them subsequently on the vaccinations. You get a cold and a chest infection because you breathed in some viruses and bacteria, not because you had vaccinations. Unless, of course, you caught them at the surgery --- which is always possible! But simple historical cause and effect has given way to dogma, and now vaccinations are too much for you, or weaken the immune system in some way. There are individual vaccinations that one could certainly argue the safety of: that is a very different matter. I am not convinced that vaccinations are anything other than a work-out for the immune system. My own failure to keep my innoculations up to date is due entirely to laziness. __________________ . IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

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May 17th, 2007, 23:59	#33
slumpainter Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 67	I got my Tet/Dip shot on a Wednesday Afternoon and was fine until Thursay afternoon, exactly 24 hours later, my arm hurt and I felt like I had Diptheria! I had to cancel my date with Paris H.

May 25th, 2007, 22:40	#35
HKeleher Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NC Posts: 4	Whew. I work for a telecommunications company and I'll be traveling to New Delhi next week. Back in February a project I was working on got moved up so that I would be in Brazil for 15 days, 5 days home then out to India for another 15 days. I had to make a mad scramble to get my immunizations since the trips were to take place in March! Thank goodness for expedited Visa applications, heheh. I had to get my standard MMR booster shots, tetanus (DPT), hepatitus a/b, yellow fever (for Brazil), typhoid, polio I think and start taking my malaria medication 10 days before I left for Brazil. The doctor said that this was not recommended but better than doing nothing, lol! The long and short is that my body was dealing with a lot and I picked up a really nasty cold that lasted for most of my trip to Brazil. I did end up getting a chest infection as a result just 4 days prior to leaving (a bad one too with 102 temp.) I went to the doctor, got some antibiotics and some other medication which helped clear that up but it lingered for most of my time in Brazil. While I was there my India trip got postponed so at least I didn't have to deal with the shock of traveling there almost immediately after. As well I'm fully recovered and ready to go now, heheh. So can you do this? Some can, sure. But I would not recommend it if you can possible avoid doing so. I didn't have much choice given the last minute travel plans so I had to roll the dice. It could have been better and it could have been worse.

Jun 2nd, 2007, 23:47	#36
Blowball Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 24	If I go to India, I will keep the jabs to a minimum. I read on another site that to many a doctor vaccination is a way of making money, so they recommend as many jabs as possible. Since I got my last jabs at least a quarter of a century ago, I would probably have to get all of the stuff again, which might be too much for my poor old body Which of the absolutely necessary vaccinations are less urgent so that one could also have them upon arrival in India? I assume Indian doctors know more about those deceases than rural Portuguese ones, who never leave their country except for neighboring Spain

Jun 3rd, 2007, 11:39	#37
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,132	I'm sorry Blowball but I think this is having it the wrong way around. Yes I sometimes wonder about all the stuff apparently recommended in some places and the prices that go with it. The thing is trying to figure out what isn't really required I'd still prefer asking with a professional, who may then be in the business of etc. My recommendation would still be be go to a reputable travel health clinic, or doctor who is known to specialize in tropical diseases, in Portugal. Boards or websites are no more than that, and if there'd be a clear-cut answer it would be a big fat sticky thread here. Finally, economizing is one thing but your health may not be the best place to start. As for your poor old body, I'm sure India has seen a few more geriatrics than you

Jun 3rd, 2007, 12:33	#39
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,132	Oh well I felt a little groggy having a bunch of shots and thinking I'd have a blood test while I was it. Would I take that as an advice against getting inoculated? Nope. The typhoid shot was a little hurtful yes and got me mildly feverish and left a sore for a day, I think it's renowned for it, which doesn't mean it happens to everybody. I can't stand needles really and mostly get all giggly, much to the amusement of the nurses involved, you'd think they've seen it all before. Typically having those appointments at 7 AM won't help.

Jun 3rd, 2007, 12:52	#40
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,219	Ahhh, Mach... When I was a boy we were real men: we didn't grumble about the shots, we used to stand on our own two feet, get diphtheria and polio and die! ...Actually, I grumbled about the shots to the extent that, once or twice my screaming and shouting caused me to be thrown out of the doctor's surgery. But they didn't use throw-away needles in those days: they were thick and blunt. .

Jun 3rd, 2007, 16:29	#41
Blowball Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 24	Do Indians themselves get all those jabs? And if not, if their bodies were used to most of those germs and able to handle them without help, wouldn't that also apply to foreigners who have lived in India for years? Nick-H, you seem to have lived there for quite some time, so you might as well be safe without refreshing your vaccination.

Jun 3rd, 2007, 17:26	#43
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,219	I've been here a very short time in terms of an immune system --- on and off for one year, and all of the last year. Other IM long-termers have been here longer than I have. But those major diseases are world killers --- those who cannot afford inoculations and/or treatment die. People over 50 are considered already old here. Some people are immune to Malaria; it is still one of the biggest killers in the world.

Jun 3rd, 2007, 18:09	#44
Silmaril Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 59	I think that's what I meant, more succinctly put

Jun 19th, 2007, 08:26	#45
travelmaniac02 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Morocco Posts: 4	After the vaccinations, I hint of nausea. then I was told to avoid pregnancy. that's it.

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