Korean Job Discussion Forums

Finishy! · Joined: 24 Dec 2006

I've been reading that hepatitis is rampant in this country. I would rather preserve my liver as it is and get some vaccinations. Does anyone have any idea how to do this????? I live in Pyeongchon, but I could go pretty much anywhere in Seoul. I would appreciate any advice you have to give.

Thanks Very Happy

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

You know, I've been here nearly 9 years and have met many, many people and have yet to hear of a case of hepatitis.

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Go to a doctor and get tested first. Then ask for the vaccine. I believe Hep B is a series of five shots over several months. Pretty straightforward.

gmat · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

A teacher at my former school got it here, it is no fun. Luckily after 6 months of treatment/rest in his home country he recovered.

You can get vaccinated easily here, ask a Korean friend to help you go to a doctor if you don't know any "English" speaking clinics/doctors.

igotthisguitar · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:10 am Post subject:

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

If you're really concerned, your nearest place would be AnYang Hospital.
They've modernized in recent years, and most staff speaks English, or will hurriedly take you to someone who can.

Still, I'd agree it's not as rampant as you've heard. 1997, it was 'a concern' but very rare.
I never heard of a case in 9 years there, either.

Grimalkin · Joined: 22 May 2005

Hepatitis has many different causes (bacteria, viruses, excessive alcohol intake). Hepatitis really just means inflammation of the liver and this can happen in a number of different ways.

Not all forms are contagious and not all can be immunised against.

poet13 · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:33 am Post subject:

Interesting. When I did my medical for EPIK last August, the doctor called me into his office and did a sonogram for me of my liver. He said it was substantially enlarged. He then asked me if I drank a lot of soju. (NO!) He said I had soemthing called fatty liver. Is it a big deal to get a Hep check here? I live in a small place, and don't really want the whole town knowing I have something if I pop positive....

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

I hope the doc isn't near your neighborhood, otherwise everyone will know. AND ask you about it.
I asked for Preparation H at local pharmacy once, and for weeks,
EVERYone in the area asked about my hemmrhoid.

Finishy! · Joined: 24 Dec 2006

Any idea about how much it would cost??

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

Chamchiman · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: Digging the Grave

I went to see my doctor a while ago to get an HIV/HepC test done, and he said something along the lines of, "Do you want to check a whole bunch of other stuff, since we're drawing blood anyway?" It seemed like a good idea, tests are cheap here, and I had the money. When the tests came back he said something along the lines of, "I can see that you've received a HepB vaccine at some point in the past, but the level of immunity in your body is low." Now, when I received the HepA/HepB Twinrix double vacc (eight years ago), I was told that the HepB immunity would be good for around 15 years, but...I guess the immunity level tails off over time. Anyway, this doctor (who I've come to trust) recommended a booster regimen, and I went along with his recommendation. It was a pretty standard three-shot deal.

So, if you got a HepB vaccination 10 or 15 years ago, and you're going to see your doctor about blood-related tests anyway, it is possible to check how immune you really are.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Chamchiman, who is this doctor you mention?