Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Staying Healthy on the Road
Staying Healthy on the Road Medical info, e.g. malaria, vaccinations, travel medical tips, medical insurance, where to find a doctor.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Jun 2003
simmo's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
Rabies Vacs

What does a Rabies vacination do? Does it mean you dont have to do the 21 injections thing if you get bitten? Do you still have to go for treatment even if youve had the vacination?
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Jun 2003
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Taupo, New Zealand
Posts: 194
Answers taken from the CDC website - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabie...l/preventi.htm

Quote:
Originally posted by simmo:
What does a Rabies vacination do?
Preexposure prophylaxis is given for several reasons. First, although preexposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for additional medical attention after a rabies exposure, it simplifies therapy by eliminating the need for human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and decreasing the number of vaccine doses needed – a point of particular importance for persons at high risk of being exposed to rabies in areas where immunizing products may not be available, and it minimizes adverse reactions to multiple doses of vaccine. Second, it may enhance immunity in persons whose postexposure therapy might be delayed. Finally, it may provide protection to persons with inapparent exposures to rabies.

Quote:
<font face="" size="2">Does it mean you dont have to do the 21 injections thing if you get bitten? </font>
In the United States, Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP) consists of a regimen of one dose of immune globulin and five doses of rabies vaccine over a 28-day period. Rabies immune globulin and the first dose of rabies vaccine should be given as soon as possible after exposure. Additional doses of rabies vaccine should be given on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the first vaccination. Current vaccines are relatively painless and are given in your arm, like a flu or tetanus vaccine.

(ie. no. The 14-21 injections relates to older, weaker prophylaxis.)

Quote:
<font face="" size="2">Do you still have to go for treatment even if you've had the vacination?</font>
Yes. But as mentioned above, not as extensively.

James
__________________
James Courtier
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Jun 2003
simmo's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
Thanks james, managed to speak to the local doctor at last. His suggestion was to go without unless you were handling animals as a matter of course. I however remember those Tibetan sheep dogs and imagine going to a chinese hospital for injections! Yeech
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Jun 2003
Susan Johnson's Avatar
Administrator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,006
Hi Simmo

We had the rabies vaccinations before heading off RTW in 1996. They aren't really that painful. Remembering a few close encounters with mean dogs in various locations, I think it is well worth it for any overland mc traveller to have the rabies vaccine. You do have to space them a few weeks apart, so don't leave them until the end like we did!

Cheers
Susan
__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Jun 2003
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Taupo, New Zealand
Posts: 194
G'day Simmo,

If your doctor suggests not to get them, and he knows the exposure-risk for where you're going, then you might as well take his advice. My doctor wasn't insistent on me getting them for my trip 'round the Americas, and I regret spending the money now. USD$450 for a few syringes of (what looked like) strawberry gatorade hurt the pocket, if not my arm Your call - maybe they're cheaper in Aussie?

James
__________________
James Courtier
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Jun 2003
Susan Johnson's Avatar
Administrator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,006
James

Wow - was that $450 US just for the rabies vax?

I looked up my records for when we got the shots in UK in 1996 at the Hospital for Tropical Disease - Travel Clinic in London. All costs in GBP per person:

Typhoid - 18.20
Yellow Fever - 23.00
Meningitis A+C - 15.00
Rabies Booster - 15.00
Hepatitis B Booser - 15.00

We had our final rabies booster a month later in Malaga, Spain at a cost of 240 Pesetas, approx. US$2.00 at the time.

But even if we had done them both in UK, the total cost for the rabies vax would have only been 30-40 GBP, which is a long way from US$450!

Simmo, what is the price in Australia for these shots?

Susan
__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Jun 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 68
Rabies is almost always lethal, let's not forget.
We took the vacinations on advise of our doctor. Get more then one advise for such matters, preferably from a Tropical Insitute or other "travel-experienced" doctors.

Most embassies have the boosters in stock, so in case you do get bitten, AND you can be injected within --I believe-- 48 hours, you'll survive.
Dogs are not the only problem: foxes, but also cats (!), bats, rats and more are all potential carriers of the disease. In eastern Turkey, western Iran, Ladakh, other mountain areas, people keep BIG dogs to protect them from wild animals. They chase bikes/ers, O yes ! No need to say that rabies is not eradicated in these countries.

Healthy travels to all of you.
Trui


------------------
Iris and Trui
2 belgian women, often travelling on motorbikes (now on DR650SE's)
2nd overland from home to Northern India and back, April-October 2002
__________________
Iris and Trui
2 belgian women, often travelling on motorbikes (now on DR650SE\'s)
2nd overland from home to Northern India and back, April-October 2002
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Jun 2003
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Taupo, New Zealand
Posts: 194
Hola Susan,

Yep, that was the cost of the rabies vax which I got last year in NJ. It feels somewhat uncomfortable to be on this side of the argument, but IMHO if it's only a matter of a few dollars then there's no reason not to get it, but when it's expensive I don't see it as mandatory unless one's travel plans make it so in the opinion of one's travel doctor. Anyway, get advice from a travel doctor, though I don't see the point in getting advice from more than one: what do you do if it's contradictory? Go with the conservative opinion? Find a third doctor to break the tie? Ask amateurs on the 'net?

Rabies is invariably fatal, but only if one catches it and doesn't get treatment. My only real fear is unknowingly being exposed, in which case I wouldn't seek treatment. Then it wouldn't matter if I was vaccinated or not...

James
__________________
James Courtier
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26 Jun 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 68
For all important matters we double check. Gives us an extensive view, gets us better informed. And we read books as well.
And I'm glad we're still amateurs on the matter and can't talk from experience. We find there's enough 'risk' out there already from all kinds of diseases, and from biking (as we know only too well). But that's every ones own choice, sure.

Wish you safe and healthy travels any which way

------------------
Iris and Trui
2 belgian women, often travelling on motorbikes (now on DR650SE's)
2nd overland from home to Northern India and back, April-October 2002
__________________
Iris and Trui
2 belgian women, often travelling on motorbikes (now on DR650SE\'s)
2nd overland from home to Northern India and back, April-October 2002
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 26 Jun 2003
simmo's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
Thanks for the responses!
Rabies Vacs are A$42 on Fridays! more expensive other days? at the travel clinic in melbourne. You need three. The 2nd one week later and the 3rd two weeks after that. Total cost $A126.
Susan it looks like I have left it too late to get the shots here anyway as I leave for for my little adventure on the 2nd of July. If I was to do it now the second injection would be in London the third in Leipzig.

James I am a little wary of some Dr's recomendations because like NZ we don't have rabies in australia and they have not had to respond to bites with rabies injections.

Now what about bubonic plague! .....

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:27.