Safe from the bed bugs

Until recently, my life has been consumed by tying up work work stuff and preparation for the Cape to Rio race. In the process I have realised that I still need to get my Yellow fever inoculation, which is a legal requirement to enter Brazil. So I went to get my Yellow fever inoculation today.

While at the Travel Clinic, I asked about the recommended inoculations as my adventure will most likely be taking me into some dodgy places. The inoculations that were recommended include: Hepatitis A & B, Cholera, Typhoid and Adesol Quadra (a combination of Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Petasis vaccines). Usually these inoculations are administered over a period of time and I have left it a bit late. I seem to be following a pattern with my planning :) I asked a lot of questions while at the travel clinic, so I’ll put down the information about each inoculation:

• Yellow Fever:   This is a once-off shot. It needs to be taken at least 2 weeks before entering the area. A longer time is better, as side effects include head-aches and nausea for 7-10 days.
• Hepatitis A & B:   Unfortunately the Hep A & B inoculation can’t be completed in one appointment. So once I get back to Cape Town I’ll have to have to complete the three part course (I’m currently in East-London visiting family for Christmas). Usually the three shots are spaced about a month apart, which gives a much more potent inoculation. In my case I will be doing a 0-7-21 day accelerated schedule. This will give me decent protection for about 3 years.
• Cholera:   Two shots to complete the vaccination.
• Typhoid:   One shot
• The Adesol Quadra combines the vaccines mentioned above. This is only one shot.

I asked about anti-malaria medication. Apparently there are three variations (including cost).

• Doxycyclin (Doxymal):   Taken daily, affordable
• Mephliam:   Taken weekly, affordable, but not allowed to dive while taking it.
• Malenol:   Taken daily, expensive!

Since the strain of Malaria might be different from South Africa, I have to do some more research before I commit to one. I was actually thinking of getting the medication in South America.

For more reading, go to the Centre of Disease Control’s website.