Monday, August 19, 2013

Getting ready - Part I

On Monday the 12th, I got my vaccinations for travel to Tanzania and Benin.  If plans change, I hope I still have everything I need!

Hepatitis A (I think this was the booster for the original Hep A vaccine I got before China in 1999)
Polio booster
Yellow Fever (good for 10 years)
TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis)
Menningitis

The shots themselves were pretty benign.  The after effects were surprisingly strong.  I couldn't lift my arms for a couple of days and the yellow fever vaccine left a big bruise, lump and itch.  I ached all over and had swollen glands in my armpits and jaw.

Typhoid - pills that I have to take on an empty stomach.  One every other day until gone (4 pills).  Who knew it would be such a challenge!?  They have to be kept refrigerated.  It has been a week since I got them home and I still haven't started them.

AND I still have to determine what kind of anti-malarial medicine will be best for me.  I'm thinking not the kind that makes people crazy!