Catching diseases

[garethllewellyn]

I am going on the Volendam to the Far East in January. We will only be taking day trips to Hanoi, Saigon etc. Is Malaria a threat? Do mozzies cruise as well? Are there any other preventable nasties that might seek me out?

Garethllewellyn

[solocanadian]

What are mozzies?

[cp556]

What are mozzies?

 

 

I had no clue, either, so I googled it and learned that mozzie is a word for mosquito. And that makes sense in this context.

 

To answer the OP, if I were heading to the Far East, I'd look at the US Govt website that has a lot of answers about vaccinations, diseases, etc.

 

wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

[Randyk47]

I am going on the Volendam to the Far East in January. We will only be taking day trips to Hanoi, Saigon etc. Is Malaria a threat? Do mozzies cruise as well? Are there any other preventable nasties that might seek me out?

Garethllewellyn

 

What are mozzies?

 

I'm guessing "mozzies" are mosquitos and I suppose they "cruise" in the sense they can get on or into a cruise ship docked in an area with mosquitos. Hard to say if malaria is an issue at a particular port or not. I know that certain stops in Central and South America are flagged as potentially exposing a visitor to malaria to the point that blood bank rules prohibit blood donation for a period of time after having visited. Doesn't seem to me that there have been reports of outbreaks of malaria from cruisers but I guess it's possible. Reading the CDC site right now says Saigon, and actually most of Vietnam, is not a high risk area for malaria so I'd not be particularly concerned. As for other "nasties"....normal precautions are always recommended but best visit your doctor to see if you need any immunizations.

[California Traveler]

Gareth - whenever we travel international we visit our doctor that specializes in international travel to get our inoculations or medicine. Yes the CDC website is helpful in identifying health concerns.

 

CT

[496and706]

Taking a wild guess that the poster is from Wales or the U.K. somewhere. My Mother in law calls mosquitoes "mozzies" as well. She is from northern England.

 

The best thing to do is to tell your doctor where you are going and she/he will tell you what shots to get or what medications to take.

[vicocala]

Always be faithful or wear a condom.

[California Traveler]

Vicocala - Huugh?? I don't think we were discussing the STD issues, can get them anywhere.....

[vicocala]

Vicocala - Huugh?? I don't think we were discussing the STD issues, can get them anywhere.....

 

Just having fun, but for some it may be good advice. I am the faithful type myself so no worries other than BTD like skeeters or an emergency transfusion.

[Hawaiidan]

you will not be in a Malaria area.. thats more south pacific like the Solomons, Vanauatu. Rabaul

No mosquitos on the ship, but you may get flies in port.

Biggest health hazard is going in and out of air conditioned rooms. Too is some one gets a cold on the ship it can spread through the AC system.

We always shut off the system and avoid being in the loop.

 

Too avoid fresh water streams and ponds ashore... all sorts of things that live in them..microscopic things than can enter through your pores.... no cut needed..

[estebofarr]

Elsewhere on CC, I read to be prepared with, anti-diarrhea medicine, anti-vomiting medicine, and bug repellent. All available in small quantities. I am also concerned as to the enormous amount of stuff I must bring just to be prepared. Cold weather clothes, hot weather clothes, rain gear, etc.

[catl331]

Don't drink their water, swim in streams, go in the jungle or eat fresh veggies and fruit. Best to bring those bug repellants with Deet. You can get small spray ons or some come in towelette pkgs. Wash, Wash and Wash your hands!

[Tampa Girl]

Having heard the sad story of one who relied on her physician as to the necessary shots for part of Africa, only to find out that he/she was wrong, I think I would rely more heavily on the CDC or the UK equivalent. Shots, after, all, are the result of government regulations.

[xxoocruiser]

Don't drink their water, swim in streams, go in the jungle or eat fresh veggies and fruit. Best to bring those bug repellants with Deet. You can get small spray ons or some come in towelette pkgs. Wash, Wash and Wash your hands!

 

From my experience of having worked many years throughout Asia and Southeast Asia can tell you that Fruits that have to be peeled before eaten , such as Bananas and Oranges which re generally ok to eat. Same rule generally holds true for vegetables when eaten raw. Otherwise only eat fully cooked vegetables.

 

Also do not eat any raw fish such as sushi. Fish must be fully cooked as it can often be carrier of Hepititas in Asia, particularly shell fish.

 

When purchasing a bottle of water never accept a bottle that the cap has been already loosen as it can be a sign that it's a bottle that has been refilled with local water to appear as if it's actual purified bottled water. Same is true with a can a pop always make certain you are the one that open that can of pop. Unless you're in a Western 5 Star Hotel or a McDonalds never ask for a glass of ice for your bottled water or can of pop as it's generally made with local water.

 

If OP is from the USA than check with the CDC for recommended shots if needed. Otherwise check with your local health department regarding travel immunizations recommended.

[BlueLadyBlue]

We were in SE Asia in January. We always chek with a travel Dr and ours recommended anti malaria tablets for parts of Vietnam (and other counties) We were on a land based trip though.

 

BTW - had a fabulous time. Loved Laos and Cambodia

[Bearnaise]

I am going on the Volendam to the Far East in January. We will only be taking day trips to Hanoi, Saigon etc. Is Malaria a threat? Do mozzies cruise as well? Are there any other preventable nasties that might seek me out?

Garethllewellyn

Cities are usually safe from malaria but you should check CDC advisories, etc. for your specific destinations. It can't hurt to take basic precautions, i.e. keeping your body covered during peak mosquito times (dawn and dusk, usually) and wearing a good repellent.

 

Hepatitis A/B and typhoid vaccines are a good idea if you plan on eating anything outside of the cruise ship.

[Globaliser]

We will only be taking day trips to Hanoi, Saigon etc. Is Malaria a threat?

I know that certain stops in Central and South America are flagged as potentially exposing a visitor to malaria to the point that blood bank rules prohibit blood donation for a period of time after having visited. Doesn't seem to me that there have been reports of outbreaks of malaria from cruisers but I guess it's possible.

This site is a good place to start: http://cdc-malaria.ncsa.uiuc.edu Use it in conjunction with http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/map/ You can click on a place and there will be specific advice for it.

 

But it's always a good idea to get specialist advice from a specialist travel clinic. If you're near a MASTA clinic, that's probably about as good a place as any: http://www.masta-travel-health.com/clinic_searches/new

 

Whenever I've asked about cruising in malarial areas (eg the Panama Canal), the advice has been that if you're on or near land only during the day (ie the pattern of most cruises and cruisers), your malarial risk is very low. You'd be more at risk from the anti-malarial drugs, some of which can be pretty nasty. Thus I have been specifically advised not to take anti-malarials for these trips.

 

The reason is that malarial mosquitoes are usually only active at and beyond dusk. If you get bitten by a mosquito during the day, it's unlikely to be a malaria carrier. However, other diseases like dengue fever are carried by daytime mosquitoes, so avoiding bits in areas where those diseases exist is still a good idea.

[Minoushka]

Bring a bunch of otc meds as you may need them .Benadryl or caladryl is one i always take

Of course tylenol or aspirin,cold remedies,stuff for the runs ...eat on ship no where else

I hear vitamin b12is an anti mosquito because your skin gives off an odor they donot like ...check it out ...must take it before you go

Cough remedies ...whatever else you seem to catch on holidays ...for me its colds and bronchitis ..so i take those meds with me

Bon voyage hope you stay healthy

 

Michele

[garethllewellyn]

Some great advice. Special mention to 496and706 - very astute. I will not take pills for Malaria - instead I will slap on the Deet. I shall see my doctor for Hep jabs and whatever else he suggests.

Garethllewellyn.

[jakkojakko]

you will not be in a Malaria area.. thats more south pacific like the Solomons, Vanauatu. Rabaul

..

 

Wrong, there is malaria throughout south east Asia.

For Vietnam see:

 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/vietnam.htm

 

Areas of Vietnam with Malaria:

Rural only, except none in the Red River Delta and the coast north of Nha Trang.

Rare cases in the Mekong Delta. None in Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),

Nha Trang, and Qui Nhon.

[Typhoon1]

If you are that concerned about disease, consult your health care provider about travel vaccinations for your specific trip. He/she us much more qualified to comment on infectious disease.

[Bearnaise]

If you are that concerned about disease, consult your health care provider about travel vaccinations for your specific trip. He/she us much more qualified to comment on infectious disease.

Actually, the average health care provider may not be much more qualified if he/she is untraveled and inexperienced with tropical diseases, their causes, and their prevention. Consult a travel medicine specialist to be more certain, but there really is no certainty where malaria is concerned unless the area is known to be malaria-free. As others have noted, anti-malarials can be harsh, so it often comes down to an individual choice: risk malaria (when the risk may be very slight, especially if mitigated by repellents/clothing) or risk side-effects from anti-malarials. They are also expensive. Malarone, for instance, a broadly effective combo drug with fewer side effects than others, costs me $6/pill and it must be taken daily beginning a couple days before entering the malarial area and ending a week after leaving the malarial area. On my last 12-day trip to Indonesia, the pills for two alone cost $250 in addition to the cost of the travel doc who prescribed them (luckily we have a local pharmacist who specialized in travel vaccinations and only charges $30/each for a consult).

[whip52]

and find the nearest medical facility that handles foreign travel preparations. In my area, it happens to be a hospital that has a specialty clinic for international travel about 70 miles away from my home town.

 

My example...Pullman Regional Hospital in Pullman, Washington has a travel clinic and experts to prepare travelers for odd itineraries. The Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine has people traveling to and from just about every country in the world. The professors and students can really find some out-of-the-way places.

 

Been there several times as I often travel far off the beaten track.