Immunizations and Killer Mosquitoes

Before our trip we had to get a few shots in order to stay healthy. I jokingly say a "few." Try this laundry list:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Influenza
Tetanus
Japanese Encephalitis
Typhoid Fever
and of course...Malaria Pills

Grand Total: $1800. This is the hidden cost of traveling to third world countries when insurance doesn't pay for travel shots.

As if this isn't bad enough, immunizations against diseases carried by mosquitoes are thought to be about 80% effective and there are no shots to guard against Dengue Fever. So to protect yourself the other 20% you have to slather yourself in bug repellent with at least 30% DEET and 50% is better. 100% DEET will melt plastic! Think about that as you put it on your face and hands next time you go hiking!! Then you have to spray the outside of your clothing with this stuff call permytherin which also repels mosquitoes. Believe me, they can still sting you through your treated clothes...I have bites to prove it.

So while we are in 85-92F weather with equal humidity we are literally covered from head to toe with clothing that has been treated and our extremities are coated under the clothing. And to think the people who live there seem to have some natural immunity to these diseases.

This takes care of airborne diseases, but what about food/water? Well, like in Mexico, consume no water, ice, or local street fare. Only drink from a can if it hasn't been opened and you drink from a straw. Basically, I threw granola bars in my pack. The ship gave us bottled water each day as did most of the tour buses.

Some of these shots are good for a lifetime, but others just 2-5 years. That's OK, because I don't plan to go to these places again even though they were beautiful and the people were very nice. It was use TOO HOT for me.