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kosmo
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 27
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 Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:50 pm Post subject: medical shots? |
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Some one suggested I get shots for hepatitis. Does anyone agree or disagree? Also, is there any other preparation I should do as a first-timer to Taiwan (and Asia for that matter)?
Thanks so much. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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I agree.
Hepatitis is a huge problem in Asia and easily spread so it is probably a very good idea to prepare for this anyway that you can. |
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Northwood
Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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Taipei Times:
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Twenty years ago, one in six Taiwanese was born with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Three people a day died of liver cancer and cirrhosis incurred by hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B was Taiwan's national disease. Taiwanese referred to it as one's "destiny," since HBV was passed from mother to baby, from generation to generation. Even now, vertical transmission still accounts for 40 to 50 percent of total infections, according to statistics from the Center for Disease Control.
As the specter of hepatitis B loomed over the entire country in the 1980s, the government was motivated to fight back. In 1984, it took the pioneering step of vaccinating every newborn. Taiwan became the first nation to launch a comprehensive vaccination program against hepatitis B.
Children born since 1984 have been immunized from HBV, which protects them for at least 15 years. The immunization policy has significantly reduced the prevalence of the disease in the past two decades, from 17 percent to 1.7 percent of the population. |
Point is, it's still out there, especially in the 20years+ population. Unfortunately, for a country that has previously been ravaged by hepatitis, general awareness and understanding of how the disease is transmitted still appears to be appalingly low - even amongst sufferers. 
IMHO, I would strongly advise you to get the shots. You never know how or when you may stumble across it  so you'd certainly want to be protected  . |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting article. I was aware that people here now get immunized but I had no idea that it had been so successful. Kudos to Taiwan.
I wonder though, does that immunation program cover Hepatitis A, C and whatever other ones there may be now. |
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Ki
Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 475
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| Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:52 am Post subject: |
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I think it covers hep B and C only. Or is it A and B? Anyway, only two of them.
Anyway, I would also suggest getting them. This needs to be done a couple of months in advance. And then you need to return a year later for another shot. There are about four shots in total and they aren't cheap either. I was originally told that this would cover me for life but was later told that it only lasts for a few years, maybe five. |
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Northwood
Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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I hope this answers a few questions. Sorry Clark, I couldn�t find out if Taiwan has a policy on Hep A immunization � although I would guess it is unlikely as it is far less serious and you cant immunize the newborn.
Hepatitis is a general term meaning inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is a disease that can be caused by a variety of different viruses such as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. The ones most people will hear about are A, B & C
Last edited by Northwood on Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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BigWally
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 765
Location: Ottawa, CAN (prev. Kaohsiung "the Dirty South")
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| Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| So other than Hep A & B, which i'll be getting (the initial shots anyways) here in Canada (follow ups to be done in Taiwan) are there any other vaccinations that are recommended? |
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Ki
Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 475
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| Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:44 am Post subject: |
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| When you see the doctor for the initial hep vacs, ask him. They are usually better informed of these things. They usually have a nice list of vacinations you should get for which ever countries you want to visit. I think there are also a couple like polio and tetnus you should get. |
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