Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rudyflyer]

I was at the dr yesterday and he suggested I get a hepatitis B shot. Said its pretty common here in Korea and you can get it from the tap water (which I've used to brush my teeth for the past 7 years) or from silverware at resturants

anybody gotten one here? Would you advise to get it.

thanks

[sakamuras]

get it...better safe than sorry. hep b is actually supposedly on the rise. anytime you smooch, share drinks, eat from same jjigae bowl (which is common in korea), etc...you're at risk. i woulnd't go as far as saying it's in the water....or else that would be a MAJOR health risk.

[Trinny]

Some of the points of the guy you talked to are true.

Korea is in the hepatitis B red zone (one of the countries with the highest hepatitis B demographics), and usually most GPs would have recommended vaccination, if you had told them you were heading over to Korea.

I got my vaccination completed when I was in elementary school, if my memory serves me right. At that time, the vaccination was three shots given over the period of a year or so with the interval of three or four months. It might have changed with the advancement of technology.

I heard that the biggest of cause of hepatitis B contraction in Korea is the mother to kids transmission at birth. And the virus stays dormant until people reach late 30's or 40's, but the symptoms usually get aggrevated, when the liver gets abused from smoking or drinking. Anyway, I am not an expert on this subject, so you might as well check with your family doctor.

[posco's trumpet]

[little mixed girl]

.........

[Mody Ba]

Yeah,it is a good idea to get the HepB shots.Three shots spread over a period of ninety days usually.It is also not a bad idea to get the Hep A shot,either.

[dogbert]

I just spoke with my physician about this yesterday and was told by him that for those who have already been vaccinated against hepatitis B, booster shots at four-year intervals are necessary. So, if you have previously been vaccinated, you may want to see if you need a booster while in Korea.

[The Marchioness]

Yes, absolutely get your Hep B shot; you should also get your Hep A. In Canada they are given in one shot called 'twinrix.'

More than 70% of Koreans are carriers of both Hep A and B and my doctor advised me to get numerous vaccines for Korea.

Many of the so-called 'hygiene' practices are pretty questionable if not downright dodgy. If you've ever observed dishwashing practices, or the putting back of uneaten radish, kimchi, and other foodstuffs into the common trough, well ...

Add to that the common practice of not washing hands after toiletuse;
fecal matter and urine are EVERYWHERE and Korean bodies are used to much of the shared bacteria.

Furthermore, just thinking about the 42% increase in HIV Aids since last year (Korea) and many of the shared bacteria from unsafe sex of all kinds, well ... what do you think?

Better safe than sorry.

[camel96]

And get an anti body test done after the last shot to make sure your body has actually developed an immunity. Otherwise you're just wasting your time. I've had two antibody tests done and two additional Hep B shots and both times have shown up that my system didn't work out how to "fight" the virus.
I've actually given up on it now.

[rudyflyer]

thanks folks for all the advice. I had some tests done a couple of weeks ago and it was negative for the antibody.

When I'm back at the dr I'll arrange for it.

[captain kirk]

in canada a hep b shot. in taiwan a booster. in korea a booster. check showed no antibodies. 70 percent of koreans are carriers of hep b? i looked up hep b in the lonely planet and the symptoms are yellowing of the eyes. and i asked someone, maybe it was a doctor, and they said 'if you had it you'd know it'. from tap water? who put the whoopie cushion on my chair here?

[Bubbliee]

Okay, I have had my Hep B shot for some time now. I'm thinking gettting a booster in Korea might be a good idea. Does anybody know if they are expensive? I know here in Canada unless you give the health nurse a predetermined answer (that moany of them will tell you in advance) to some questions about your sexual practices, hygiene ect. You have to pay a pretty steep price for the shot, last I heard it was just over $150 for the 3 shots.

[On the other hand]

In Edmonton, Hep B shots are given free of charge at the STD clinic, no questions asked. Maybe see if Kelowna has a similar program at some such similar community health centre.

[Clutch Cargo]

All teachers (anywhere) should have a hep b immunisation course.

Also, ALL GUYS should have a Chicken Pox (Ruebella?) shot especially if you haven't had the pleasure of this illness as a child. It can make you permanently sterile if you catch it as an adult.

[crazylemongirl]

I've been jabbed repeatedly. I only ended up with two shots of hep b as the company who the NZ government was subsidising to adminster the shots went broke. I still have the antibodies 15 years later.

Hep A is a good shot to get and don't forget your boosters for your childhood jabs.

CLG