TheLostGlobe

So I went in for my initial consulate today. Starts with the usual form filling, it’s fun to put in more counties than the form allows. I was expecting and hoping to actually start some of the ones that would require courses and maybe some that were single jabs too.

The doc had a quick look at my form making sure I was healthy enough and then started going through what I knew would be a pretty long list, and after all the scribble as we went though each one that might apply to me it looked like it would be easier to just rob a pharmacy.

There ended up being 6-7 I need to worry about. I had a Tetnus shot about 10 years ago so I am due again now. Hepatitis A and B are for sure. Typhoid will be on the list. Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) I have to consider and I also need to find out if I’m immunised for Measles, Mumps and Rubella(MMR), I have a feeling I may be missing the Measles part so that will more than likely be added.

So I did start them today. I had a Tetnus shot that also combined Diptheria and Polio. A combined Hep A & B and I have the Typhoid tablets to take over the next 7 days. That burned a bit of a hole in the pocket.

• Tetnus - $70
• Hep A & B - $65
• Typhoid - $50

• Consultation fee - $90
• Immunisation service fee - $10.85

So that all came to $285.85 Australian. They estimated I would get around $70 of that back through Medicare. and fortunately I won’t have to pay the Consultation fee again.

So that will be Tetnus and Typhoid crossed off anyway. The Hepatitis shot requires two more, one in one month and another in 6, which I won’t be around for. I can get that when I get back or even while I’m away if I’m inclined. I don’t feel that I will need JE. Rabies is worth considering but it is expensive and fairly unlikely that I would get it, but it will kill if not treated very quickly.

Of course the other thing we talked about was Malaria, other than Hep A and Travellers’ Diarrhoea it is the most likely thing to pick up. I was given pretty much three options, Doxycycline (Daily), Larium (Weekly) or fever medication (which amounts to nothing). I’m not sure how I would go taking a tablet daily, it wouldn’t faze me I’m just not sure if I would remember it, I struggle to remember to take my vitamins daily. Maybe I would be better knowing what it prevents though. I have heard about Larium and it’s side effects which it sort of scary but then all Malaria medications have side effects, the doctors exact words were “about 1 in 10 people have the bad side effects on Larium, it is a good medication you shouldn’t be scared of it”. It might be worth testing it but I’m not sure that I would be any better remembering a weekly tablet over a daily one. I’d probably be worse. Anyway they gave me a book that has lots of info on travel health I’ll have a good read through that and decide.

My first Couchsurfer Chin also arrived today so I’ll be showing him around over the long weekend.

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