Job Discussion Forums

Thome25 · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 7

Hey guys, I'm an american moving to China in about a month, do I need any special vaccines before I head out, (i'm going to a nontropical urban/suburban area), and do I need a physical for entry or should I get that there? Thanks.

Norman Bethune · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 731

I would suggest you visit a doctor before coming to China and have a complete physical examination. Do the routine blood tests for cholesterol etc, check the blood pressure, be screened for STD's (including HIV, since you will have to have the test here, it's better if you know your status before coming). Check liver function.

If you have a preexisting condition which requires medication, get the doctor to prescribe enough of it for at least 6 months. The specific drug you need may be hard to find in some drugstores, especially if you don't know the generic name in Chinese. Have your doctor write an additional script for each medication you plan to bring. If you do need prescription drugs, with effort you can find them in China and buy without needing a prescription (chinese pharmacists, however, don't seem to know anything but Chinese names for the drugs they peddle).

You may want to get the following vaccinations or booster shots for the following, even if you are going to be in a urban area: Tetanus, Polio, Diptheria, Hepatitis A and B. That would be the basics.

It may be costly to get all of these basic shots, but it's better to be prepared, than sick or dead later. If you don't have medical insurance, try your local public health clinic. Just don't tell them why you want the shots.

Remember, most adults need booster shots for things like Tetanus, diptheria, and Polio at least every ten years.

Your doctor will have your vaccination record, and should tell you if you really need it again before leaving for china

lyttlefish · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 3:03 pm Post subject:

One thing you might also consider is purshasing a 'needle kit' to take along with you.
Needles are reused a lot in China...even though sterilized and repackaged, I was advised by the Travel Clinic here that having my own needles and IV tube would be the way to go.
You also might also think about getting a shot for Typhoid.
regards
lyttlefish

chinesecanadian2004 · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Canada

lyttlefish · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 7:55 pm Post subject:

Hi back at you...

The doctor at the travel clinic is pretty well informed in regards to the seriosness of HIV and AIDS in China...
She was also very up to date on the issue of re-used needles.
One million people now suffer fromHIV/AIDS in China ..you can procure information on the WEB. It is only within the last little while that this issue has been addressed by their government and medical field.
In terms of offending, whether it be in Hospitals or elsewhere..sorry...acquiring diseases via the use of dirty or reused needles is something I do not care to risk...as westerners, new to the country, I expect I will offend many times over. Besides which it will not be the first time Chinese Hospitals have had this request on their hands.
The Travel Clinics, both in USA and Canada recommend that you use your own needles and blood if possible....
In the long run, we are all responsible for our own heath and safety...I am sure many foreigners bring their own needles and many do not..
I, as you, would be happy to read of any one elses experiences and opinions in this matter.
Where are you planning on living in China?

namaste
<')))><

Taiping04 · Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 188 Location: East of Aden

Add rabies to Norman's list of shots.
As for the medical, why don't you download the form from a Chinese Embassy site, and get it done by your own doctor? It would save you going through the same set of tests twice, unless your school insists on you having it done in China so they can get a kickback from the clinic.

wu · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 20

When it comes to your health, don't worry about offending people. I have been in China for almost 2 years and have had numerous medical difficulties. I had a cough for the first six months that turned into 2 serious lung infections. China is an assult to your immune system. Conditions here are not hygienic - from restaurants to hospitals. Be careful. I offend people all of the time with my demands. I ask restaurant staff to wash their hands if they are serving me - especially if they have a finger up a nose while taking my order. A server will openly and with gusto pick in her nose, in her ears, at her zits while serving customers and I shudder to think what goes on in the kitchen. Workers do not wash their hands after using the toilet and toilet paper is a rarity in washrooms.
I spent so much time in the local TCM hospital in my small town that I ended up marrying my doctor. In my husband's office there are 4 "doctors". Two have actual university training and two have no formal education whatsoever but they are still refered to as doctor. Finding a good doctor is tough. Hopefully your school will be able to help you if you have any medical problems. Prepare as much as you can before coming. Air quality has been my greatest challenge. I live about an hour from Shenzen and the locals tell me that the air is fresh and clean here because you can actually see the sky. I haven't had a cough in a while but I did have a throat infection this winter.

Talkdoc · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 696

Here is one link for the "Physical Exam Record for Foreigner."

http://www.chinaconsulatechicago.org/eng/qzhz/qz/grqz/P020031103541900479922.pdf

Doc

randyj · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 1:37 pm Post subject:

Great advice from all, especially thorough from Norman. But he is (was) a doctor, right?

Before I went in 2000, I arranged to receive the various boosters, in addition to Havrix for Hepatitis A. Expensive, but worth it in terms of peace of mind. I just do not want to mess around with Hepatitis.

Our school took all the new foreign teachers at one time to a private clinic where the exams were administered. It seemed quite professional. The needles for taking blood were unwrapped in our presence. I realize this could be finessed. A person should not take anything related to products like water, medicine, food, etc. for granted. If a person wants to take personal needle kits, then they should not hesitate to do so.

Becoming seriously ill in China is my worst nightmare. I have visited Chinese hospitals, as have many of you. Of course, China has excellent facilities available for those who have access. Anyone with concerns in this area should scope out the local area, find out which is best, and see if any of the doctors have children needing instruction in English.

cheekygal · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 1987 Location: China, Zhuhai

I have never had any problems with doing medicals in China. And I once had to go through IV course for 3 days.
Anyway, if you don't trust them, you can buy all the needles in a pharmacy and bring with you to the hospital. No one will say a word to you but they would probably charge you same price for the tests.