Do I really need those Hepatitis vaccinations?

Klinglerware · 06-08-2005, 11:11 AM

I have to travel to China (Hong Kong and Guangzhou) on bidness in a few weeks. I've heard that it might be a good idea to get Hep A & B shots before I go. I'll only be gone a week, so I'm not sure how necessary it really is--I've spent much longer periods in places like the Philippines without any problems. Also, I'll be going in 3 weeks so it might already be too late to get the vaccines.

Anyway, any other tips and suggestions (especially for my downtime) would be much appreciated...

rkmsuf · 06-08-2005, 11:12 AM

Protect Ya Ting.

Use a Rubber Everytime.

Lathum · 06-08-2005, 11:28 AM

When I went to Hong Kong my company had me vaccinated, but I was going for 6 weeks. If you don't get vacinated just be carefull not to drink the water and under no circumstances should you eat any shellfish.

Arctus · 06-08-2005, 12:06 PM

I say roll the dice. What's the worst that could happen

Eaglesfan27 · 06-08-2005, 12:11 PM

You don't need that pesky Liver.

judicial clerk · 06-08-2005, 12:27 PM

Don't forget to pack you "Bad Idea Jeans".

"I know unprotected sex with a prostitute is a little risky, but I figured, 'hey, when am I going to be back in Haiti'".

CHEMICAL SOLDIER · 06-08-2005, 12:28 PM

Yes, the water, food there arent safe and of course you could also get Hep there because of poor sanitation in some restaurants etc. But what the heck go without the vaccinations.

Eaglesfan27 · 06-08-2005, 12:29 PM

As far as a serious reply, if I remember correctly you need three hepatitis B shots spread over 6 months to have complete (or near complete) immunity. They do last 10 years or so and I recommend them for anyone who might be put in risky situations. I've had them since my job puts me at risk (well it did back when I was a student - not so much anymore.)

Edited to add: However, one shot might offer at least partial immunity and you can always complete the series when you get back. It sounds like you travel frequently enough to "at risk" areas, that it would be worth it...

Galaxy · 06-08-2005, 12:34 PM

Does Hong Kong offer alot of risk in its santaction? Seems like a pretty modern and top-tier city.

Lathum · 06-08-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galaxy

Does Hong Kong offer alot of risk in its santaction? Seems like a pretty modern and top-tier city.

do you mean sanitation? The answer is yes there is risk. There are is an insane amount of people and just like any huge city i.e. NY, there are higher sanatation risks.

Klinglerware · 06-08-2005, 01:45 PM

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

As I mentioned, I probably don't have enough time for the vaccinations to kick in at this point. As for hep A, I guess I will have to stick to hotel food and bottled water. As for hep B--I guess that means no alternative entertainment for me!

moriarty · 06-08-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Edited to add: However, one shot might offer at least partial immunity and you can always complete the series when you get back. It sounds like you travel frequently enough to "at risk" areas, that it would be worth it...

Yeah, you can take the first in the series and be protected for like 3-6 months (somewhere in there). That's what I did when I weant over to SE Asia. But to have "lifetime" immunity you have to complete the 3 shot series.

06-08-2005, 11:12 AM	#2
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	Protect Ya Ting. Use a Rubber Everytime. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

06-08-2005, 12:11 PM	#5
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	You don't need that pesky Liver. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

06-08-2005, 12:28 PM	#7
CHEMICAL SOLDIER College Starter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Henderson, Nevada	Yes, the water, food there arent safe and of course you could also get Hep there because of poor sanitation in some restaurants etc. But what the heck go without the vaccinations. __________________ Toujour Pret

06-08-2005, 12:29 PM	#8
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	As far as a serious reply, if I remember correctly you need three hepatitis B shots spread over 6 months to have complete (or near complete) immunity. They do last 10 years or so and I recommend them for anyone who might be put in risky situations. I've had them since my job puts me at risk (well it did back when I was a student - not so much anymore.) Edited to add: However, one shot might offer at least partial immunity and you can always complete the series when you get back. It sounds like you travel frequently enough to "at risk" areas, that it would be worth it... __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen. Last edited by Eaglesfan27 : 06-08-2005 at 12:30 PM.

06-08-2005, 11:28 AM	#3
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	When I went to Hong Kong my company had me vaccinated, but I was going for 6 weeks. If you don't get vacinated just be carefull not to drink the water and under no circumstances should you eat any shellfish.

06-08-2005, 12:06 PM	#4
Arctus H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: May 2005 Location: Richmond, VA	I say roll the dice. What's the worst that could happen

06-08-2005, 12:27 PM	#6
judicial clerk College Benchwarmer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Portland, OR	Don't forget to pack you "Bad Idea Jeans". "I know unprotected sex with a prostitute is a little risky, but I figured, 'hey, when am I going to be back in Haiti'".

06-08-2005, 12:34 PM	#9
Galaxy Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2005	Does Hong Kong offer alot of risk in its santaction? Seems like a pretty modern and top-tier city.

06-08-2005, 01:45 PM	#11
Klinglerware College Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The DMV	Thanks for all of the suggestions. As I mentioned, I probably don't have enough time for the vaccinations to kick in at this point. As for hep A, I guess I will have to stick to hotel food and bottled water. As for hep B--I guess that means no alternative entertainment for me!

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