Vietnam forum

The tropics have different health issues so you will definitely want to consult your physician.

Posted from within Vietnam.

OK...I've been to SE Asia several times. I've eaten food at restaurants with questionable hygienic policies, and been bitten by hundreds of mosquitoes in areas known for Dengue fever and malaria. Yes, I made it back each time and have never had a problem.

However, I don't have any issues with my immune system. Perhaps it was my immune system that prevented me from getting sick or catching a disease.

How often does it happen? Well, probably more often for those who have problems with their immune system.

Our personal views are meaningless...Talk to a doctor.

Again, I hope you can make it. Let us know what the doctor says.

I would add that you might want to speak with an infectious disease specialist who can review any immune system-related labwork you may have had. We did this after my husband was hospitalized last spring, and he was given the go-ahead.

I recently went to the special travel clinic here in Canada.
We were strongly advised to have Hep A, Typhoid and Cholera-ecoli, and read the riot act to avoid tap water, ice cubes, pre-peeled fruit, salad - the usual stuff. Oh and no swimming in fresh water, esp Mekong (though why anyone would want to swim in that is beyond me!).

We were offered malaria and rabies, but this was more 'optional' - we opted no. Common sense dictates head to toe Deet anyway to avoid Dengue fever from mosquitoes, and if you aren't planning to hang out with monkeys and stray dogs then you don't need rabies jab

The other thing in terms of more regular germs is the flu jab. If you are always catching coughs and colds easily you should consider getting it - more due to the flights than Vietnam.

Tuberculosis is another thing to consider. It hardly exists in most western countries now but is still in Vietnam. A test showed that I'd developed antibodies to it after a couple of visits a decade ago. I think there's a shot you can have, but you'll need time. You also need about 6 months for the hepatitis shots (2 or 3 for that) so should get moving.

"I have been waiting for my graduation to come to go on a rather long trip to my beloved Vietnam"
" I am devoting my life to Vietnam"

Hey Swansil - your comments have intrigued me and I hope you don't mind asking.... what is your connection/interest in Vietnam? Family background? Planning on studying there? Other?

I'm just being nosey so feel free to ignore me if you'd rather!

Lisa

Hi - thanks for the reply!

I wasn't specifically intrigued by your phrases as such - just your strong interest/dedication to Vietnam. Given your level knowledge and interest in Vietnam, you will really get a huge amount out of your visit there - much more than casual visitors (myself included) ever will. You will be arriving with a deeper understanding of their history and culture, and the language that you are learning will help you get past the tourist-based banter - and you will leave with an even deeper understanding. I think it's awesome!

And you can't go wrong with a visit to NZ, of course! It's a pretty awesome country, if I do say so myself.

I'll look forward to reading about your Vietnam experiences as you make your way there!

hi swansil,
i have not been to vietnam yet, but i am currently in laos and have just been through thailand and am having a great time. it is your decision, of course, but this is my experience...
my immune system is not completely gone, but is significantly diminished. normally i just live with the colds and other infections, but i really wanted this trip and would rather take the risk and worse come to worse, my travel insurance will ship me home if i get really sick. so i am on broad spectrum antibiotics and am extremely vigilant about bug spray and mosquito nets, but take risks with street food, ice and fresh fruit and have had no troubles on the stomach/ intestine front, but have lived through two respiratory infections in three weeks (one related to bkk smog, i think) and if you are anything like me, no cold is going to stop me from enjoying myself, but the risk of bigger and worse things are a serious threat that is with me all the time.


but i know what you mean, all a doctor is going to say is no or probably not. which is sad. but i wondered how i would feel if i didn't even try.


hope this helps, let me know how it works out for you!


bekk

That is nice. Just be safe and travel light.

Yeah but it is very difficult to feel like romans.