Urgent message for all TITS team..Yellow Fever

[Fanum]

Thanks to Jaq for tipping us off on this one.....

We know we have to have (by law) yellow fever innoculations to get into Senegal (though not one person last year to my knowledge was asked for their certificate).

It only needs doing 6-8 weeks before we go, but can obviously be done anytime and lasts for ten years........

Apparently though, possibly because of the Tsunami and relief efforts following it, the Yellow fever vaccine is in short supply and may be tricky to obtain...so it's worth getting that sorted earlier rather than later so no one is left without the all important certificate closer to the time.

PS it will cost you...Mine last year was 35 quid IIRC.......


Cheers

Bill

 

[Fanum]

This list comes with the obvious proviso that you should check with your own GP as to what he/she recomends for the areas we will be passing through and depending on your past medical history, what you may require specifically.

Last year though, these were recomended....

* Hepatitis A [Injection]
* Typhoid Fever [Injection]
* Meningococcal Meningitis A & C [Injection]
* Diphtheria / Tetanus booster [combined Injection]
* Polio Booster (Live Vaccine) [oral drops]
* Yellow Fever (Live Vaccine) [Injection] Chargeable (~£38to £40)
* Malaria Tablets of various forms.

The malaria tablets are tricky and do depend on your history......some have some nasty side effects and others are not suitable for people who for example have ever had any liver damage, are diabetic or have various other conditions........SPEAK TO YOUR GP ABOUT IT AND DO SOME GOOGLING!!!!

We are however going in the lower risk part of the year.....but we do pass through miles and miles of swamps in Senegal and mozzies were certainly rife there.

DEET based insect repellant would also be very usefull.....50% or stronger, and we'll be using it a lot as we drop out of Mauri.



Additional notes:

* Live vaccines must be given together, or otherwise at an interval of 14 days (if I remember correctly).
* Most of us only have two arms - my Nurse would only jab me once in each arm per visit.
* Yellow Fever is an essential innoculation, and you will receive a 'Yellow Fever' certificate which you may have to show to gain entry to certain countries.

 

[Deleted account W]

Good advice Fanum.

I also recommend wiping toilet seats before you sit on them when in far off places

 

[Fanum]

Good advice Fanum.

I also recommend wiping toilet seats before you sit on them when in far off places

Erm....toilet seats???




Don't tell Jaq, but one of the great levellers in the desert is walking out of camp with a shovel in one hand and a loo roll in the other, hoping to at least find a slight depression in the sandscape to maintain a small amount of dignity.

You get used to it surprisingly quickly and it's actually quite a pleasant position, squatting

As we're going to be more independant though we should be able to manage a tarp or something

 

[Greg Masters]

DEET based insect repellant would also be very usefull.....50% or stronger, and we'll be using it a lot as we drop out of Mauri.

50% DEET is good stuff, but it gets everywhere and eats plastic. Don't take any plastic that you value (camera cases, watch straps, GPS units) unless you're not bothered about a bit of plastic tarnishing.

Greg

 

[Jaq]

Erm....toilet seats???




Don't tell Jaq, but one of the great levellers in the desert is walking out of camp with a shovel in one hand and a loo roll in the other, hoping to at least find a slight depression in the sandscape to maintain a small amount of dignity.

You get used to it surprisingly quickly and it's actually quite a pleasant position, squatting

As we're going to be more independant though we should be able to manage a tarp or something

WHAT????? ...No 'Ladies' ??!!

 

[Fanum]

WHAT????? ...No 'Ladies' ??!!

Well of course there's a 'ladies'




















It's five feet to the right of the men's.



Look at it this way........there'll be no seats left up, and everyone gets to wee on the floor

 

[Deleted account W]

 

[Jaq]

This list comes with the obvious proviso that you should check with your own GP as to what he/she recomends for the areas we will be passing through and depending on your past medical history, what you may require specifically.

Last year though, these were recomended....

* Hepatitis A [Injection]
* Typhoid Fever [Injection]
* Meningococcal Meningitis A & C [Injection]
* Diphtheria / Tetanus booster [combined Injection]
* Polio Booster (Live Vaccine) [oral drops]
* Yellow Fever (Live Vaccine) [Injection] Chargeable (~£38to £40)
* Malaria Tablets of various forms.

The malaria tablets are tricky and do depend on your history......some have some nasty side effects and others are not suitable for people who for example have ever had any liver damage, are diabetic or have various other conditions........SPEAK TO YOUR GP ABOUT IT AND DO SOME GOOGLING!!!!

The two Practice nurses that I spoke too also recommended having the Anti- Rabies jab (which costs approx £120...well, down here it does)...
Malarone is also recommended as malaria prevention and for less side effects, but unfortunately is very expensive...a cheaper option is available, I think it's called Larium, but can cause nausea and sun sensitivity (which could be a problem, unless it's raining in the Sahara.... )

While I'm here boring you all, it may also be an idea for all the TITS team to compile a list of individual allergies/ medical conditions etc ...or any other relevant medical info as a 'Just in case' precaution......or are you already going to do that?....in which case I'll shut up.....for 30 seconds...

 

[Jaq]

Well of course there's a 'ladies'




















It's five feet to the right of the men's.



Look at it this way........there'll be no seats left up, and everyone gets to wee on the floor

Bill......that's totally gross.....I'll just catheterize everyone....there...problem solved!!!....

 

[Fanum]

it may also be an idea for all the TITS team to compile a list of individual allergies/ medical conditions etc ...or any other relevant medical info as a 'Just in case' precaution

Absolutely...good idea

I think you may have just volunteered yourself for something else Jaq

The full and final team list isn't full or final yet, but as soon as it is, it would certainly be good to know that sort of thing.

 

[Jaq]

Absolutely...good idea

I think you may have just volunteered yourself for something else Jaq

The full and final team list isn't full or final yet, but as soon as it is, it would certainly be good to know that sort of thing.

I'll never learn to keep quiet.....

 

[RAM-man]

Good advice Fanum.

I also recommend wiping toilet seats before you sit on them when in far off places

Kev, toilet seats will be sheer luxury. Having been in the odd place 'rest room' in the back streets of Jerusalem with a dose of delly belly, you'll be in heaven for a hole in the ground and jug of water, reality as Bill says is a shovel and guess what the sand is for ?, where's that puppy when you need him.

I am reminded of John Pilger who with other reporters in Vietnam, had a saying that 'happiness was a dry f**t !'

RAM-man