Hi!

Will be arriving in 6 weeks for a week in San Pedro. Very exciting!

Should I be concerned about vaccines, namely hepA?

Thanks!

Denise

I know of no particular risk of Hep A in San Pedro but having said that I think it is a good idea to get protection for both A and B if you travel much at all.

And depending on what you do when you travel. There are all types of protection for avoiding diseases. San Pedro isn't one of those places in the world where Hepatitis is prevalent. If it stays dry, not dengue or Malaria. There are recommendations if you look up under US State Dept web site for travel, what is recommended everywhere in the world, if you are a US person or not.
Rest assured, there is Hepatitis here, and many other things, just like anywhere.

Hepatitis A is endemic in Mexico and all of Central America. So, it's always around.

It's easily spread, and no matter how good your own personal hygiene may be, you're only as safe as the hygiene of the person preparing/serving your food.

Get vaccinated. If you're adults you can get a combo Hep A/Hep B injection. I think it's a series of three injections, spread over a year or so. You will have some protection after the first dose. But, get it soon, takes a couple of weeks to be effective.

WHAT? This is the first I've ever heard of this.

You know Harriette, I was kind of uncomfortable with this too. Everybody knows Datallmon travels all over the world every week. So, he's the kind of person that needs to be vacinnated for Hep. The average, go on a vacation tourist doesn't, eccept in certain countries...not Belize.
I was vaccinated because I worked in a hospital. But, even living there most of the time, I don't see it as an issue in Belize. Hep outbreaks can happen anywhere and are sometimes traced back to food workers that don't wash appropriately. I know barware isn't cleaned that well, so I am going to ask for plastic in Beach Bars in the future...ask Drummer Dan. But upscale restaurants..no problema.
So I agree, Harriete, Hep vaccination is overkill for Belize.

I wouldn't do it just because you've scheduled a trip to Belize, but I also agree with the consensus that appears to be evolving.

It's good to get the "twinrix" Hep A/B vaccination as a gerneral precaution if you travel frequently where tourism is a staple component of the economy -- this includes in the states. The only reason I say that is because where tourism is plentiful, there is more an opportunity for a large number of people to come in contact with each other ----

Hi JeanH,

The combo hep A/B vaccine is called "Twinrix" and is given in a series of 3 injections: an initial dose followed by doses at 1 month and 6 months.

While it true that just one injection does provide soem immunity, it is quite a bit lower than that achieved by two injections, which again is less than the full series.

If only one dose can be given due to time cojiderations, an individual hep A vaccine instead of one shot of the combination vaccine may provide better protection against A.

Following the final dose, immunity to the hepatitis B virus is thought to be lifelong; hep A vaccine probably should be repeated after an interval of 10-yrs or so. Neither provides 100% protection, but the immunity conferred is quite high.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Taking the country as a whole, the CDC rates the risk of hep A as "high," as is pretty much the case for all of Central America.

Hep B risk is rated as "Intermediate," and Belize is the only country in Central America to be rated this highly.

You can read for yourself what Travel Medcinecom (http://www.travmed.com/guide/country.php?c=Belize) recommends regarding various prophylaxes.

Do have fun.

Regards,

DocVikingo

Thanks for the responses everyone! I started the Twinrex (got the second shot yesterday, will be getting the third right before I leave) and a booster next year.

I also have an appointment scheduled at a local travel health center, who will set me up with anything I might need for future trips. That way, when the time (and budget!) allows, I can pick and just go wherever I want.

Looking forward to visiting and snorkeling Belize next month...

Denise (galsmiley)

Yes, I know the vaccine for Hep A/Hep B is called Twinrix here in the US. I didn't name it, since I'm not sure the name is the same in other nations.

Hep B vaccine is required here in Iowa to attend school. Hep A vaccine is recommended by the Academy of Pediatrics, and is required in some states.

How does taking these injections affect your ability to donate blood? Because I have had hepatitis (I never rember whether A or B) I can not donate.

Hep B is the blood borne Hepatitis, so that may be what you had. Hep A is what you can get from contaminated water/fecal matter etc...my understanding is, if you have the blood borne Hep, you always carry the virus and it can be transmitted. I could be completely wrong but I believe this is what I've heard.

Hi JeanH,

Best as I know, where ever the vaccine carries a brand name it's Twinrix. The generic name is Hepatitis A Inactivated/Hepatitis B (Recombinant) Vaccine.

In any event, the OP indicated in a later post that she has started the Twinrix regimen.

Regards,

DocVikingo

Hi ScubaLdy,

One may donate blood at any time after preventative vaccination against hep A (the viral antigen in the vaccine is inactivated).

Blood donation following preventative vaccination against hep B requires a waiting period which varies by donation facility. The American Red Cross hqs guideline is 21 days.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Hi Colomojo,

The issue of life-long transmissibility of hep family viruses by those who have been infected is a very complicated matter. It is, however, possible for this to occur under the right set of circumstances.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

If you are going diving with elbert you had best make sure your shots are up to date!

...or drinking with Rykat

Here in lower alabama (la) they won't take your blood after they ask the question what countries have you visited in the last year and you tell them Belize.

Had the same problem. haven't been able to give blood in many years because of my yearly trip to AC. Sad

They won't accept your blood donation because Belize is considered an area where malaria is present.

My local health dept. strongly suggested I follow the CDC's travel immunizations recommendations. I recently had the Twinrix (Hep.A & Hep. B combo); chickenpox (because I never contracted it as a kid); typhoid, and MMR-Measles/Mumps/Rubella. The MMR was suggested because I am 44 and what once was a single dose now has a second (booster). I chose the Oral Typhoid because it lasts 5 years as opposed to 2 for the shot. I will also get the anti-malarial meds before I leave. I also received a flu shot which covers both types of flu because we travel through and stay in Mexico and usually use public transportation a lot.

BUT... they also said I only needed these if I do not plan on staying in a resort area and if I will be visiting small towns anywhere in Central America. Doc gave lots of paperwork on traveler's diarrhea and how to avoid it. And finally I was asked if we frequent roadside cafes or street vendors. When I said "absolutely" she told me that I needed these with or with the protection of resort living. Clear as mud?

Let me say that I have been to Central America/Belize many times but the suggestions were that the longer I plan on staying and the more remote places we plan on visiting; the more necessary the immunizations.

Hi kmsqrd,

You should be well covered, but since you're playing human pincushion make sure your tetanus coverage is current. This vaccination is country-independent.

Regards,

DocVikingo

Hi again everyone!

Just a quick update: I visited Passport Health here in NJ, and in addition to the Twinrex which I had already started, I got Typhoid and a new Tetenus (w/pertussus). I was also set up with malaria pills and an antibiotic to take with me (just in case). They said I was pretty much set for traveling most places on the globe. They also told me that any additional shots I might need for other locations would require only a few weeks lead time (assuming short, "general vacation-type" trips)

Only two weeks to go!

Don't forget yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. Have you packed your snake anti-venom? Do you have medevac insurance? Which anti-biotic did he/she give you? Broad spectrum, gram-positive, gram-negative, or...? How about an anti-viral just in case? One can never be too prepared!

tetanus, hep a & b, mmr, chicken pox (going around right now) are good moves.

typhoid and malaria stuff is less likely but the risk is there.

i see that the bird flu is being talked about again.

Galsmiley, I think what C2C is saying is we're just another vacation spot . It isn't really necessary to do anything special to visit.
Folks tend to freak out and way overdo the health hazard thing .
I dont think you need anything except sunscreen!

agreed elbert. Mrs O. and I did Twinrix for general health, not travel. Maybe I'm being too cavalier, but the other stuff seems overkill just for travel.

Pepper spray for time share salesmen

Not a bad idea at all!!!

Come on you guys. Everyone should have a tetanus shot up todate. I'm also a proponent for Hep A & B. These are shots one should have for home, and so if don't already have them, then getting the shots before traveling is a good decision.

LOL!