In Reply to: Prevention / precautions? posted by majik on Wednesday, 3. August 2005 at 08:22 Bali Time:
We all travelled after completing 2 of the required 3 shots for Hep A...doctor said it would provide good immunity for up to 6 months, and decreasing immunity after that. We got the third shot after we came home. Keep in mind that no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing the disease...it's effectiveness ranges person to person and is often 90% or better...but never 100%. I was vaxed for measles and mumps...as a child and as an adult, and got both measles and mumps as an adult.
My husband got Hep A in Bali last trip...he was sick, sick, sick and tested positive...very high Hep A virus titer. Probably, daughter and I also had it, but more mildly. We didn't have a blood test. Doctor told us that had we not been vaxed at all for Hep A, we all, and especially husband, would have been very, very ill indeed, hospitalization for a long time ill. As it was, the illness lasted one day for me, and a week for husband (fever, diarrhea, stomach pains, tired).
To avoid Hep A is mighty difficult. It is usually food borne, but can easily pass person to person as well. You could eat in only the cleanest, highest class places and still get it if the person preparing or serving your food has it (and they might not feel sick at all from it, as having the virus doesn't necessarily make you ill).
Hep B...don't exchange bodily fluids with anyone..not blood, not anything else.
Dengue fever, Japanese Encephalitis and malaria are passed by mosquitos. Use DEET bases repellent on all exposed skin.
Bali belly...use sense, wash hands often and always after using toilets and always before eating. Don't drink from cans or bottles without using a straw that came individually wrapped. Eat in places that are crowded so food is used up regularly, don't eat food that isn't steaming hot when it is served or ice cold (whichever is appropriate), some say avoid salads and fruit that you can't peel yourself...