The plans for Tanzania are coming together slowly. Meanwhile I’ve been told to get my vaccinations sorted.
This afternoon I’m off to The Travel Doctor to get vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Cholera, Malaria, Yellow Fever, Tetanus and Influenza. And I just get told about Dengue Fever, because there’s no vaccine.
(If the video doesn’t work, try over at Viddler.)
’Pong is filming the whole process in glorious HD TV, so we’ll be able to post some of that footage down the track.
Meanwhile, let’s all be thankful for western medicine!
Dengue! You might as well go up to Townsville and contract that.
Here’s the secret to painless needles: don’t look. If you don’t know when the jab is coming, it won’t feel nearly so bad. It’s all in your mind.
@mpesce: Ah, the hazards of having a good visual imagination! Sigh. The other trick is to never let a doctor insert needles into you. They don’t get enough practice and screw it up. Always rely on the nurses.
“Alright, that’s all the preventable stuff; here’s a book listing all the various unpreventable and uncurable diseases you will most likely contract while overseas. Enjoy your trip!”
When I went to the Amazon I had all the same shots you had! Thankfully I didn’t get anything, so cheer up about being a pincushion!
My travel doctor recommended a ‘tropical strength’ insect repellent called Bushman which is made in North Queensland. I’m not sure if you can get it in your area but I found it online, just Google it.
I walked among large clouds of mosquitos in humid rainforest, and this stuff was awesome!
The Travel Doctor people are excellent! You probably won’t feel a thing. Not until you get home. That’s when your arm will ache. 🙂
Dengue? That’s the least of your troubles, there’s so much you COULD catch over there… I’d go with the “don’t go barefoot in rivers/muddy creeks” advice. Never could stand the insecticide on my skin so put up with the covering up with long sleeves and long pants. A trip to your local bushwalking/outdoor/travel store will kit you out with some lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing. I like Icebreaker’s gear (www.icebreaker.co.nz), their superfine merino stuff is bearable in high heat and humidity (I wear it here in the desert in summer, worn it in high-humidity Brissy too). Trousers? Any of the reputable trekking brands will be fine and keep you protected from nasty, buzzy biting creatures of the insect variety. 🙂
I don’t mind watching the needle go in. Indeed I watched with morbid fascination when the doctor stitched up my thumb. It required 4 needles. It was entertaining watching the doc pull back the half severed thumb to clean it. It was the pain when the local wore off midway through the last stitch that got me. First time I have felt the blood literally drain from my face.
But I am sure you will be fine. 🙂
How are you feeling now my friend? Sore bum? Sore arm? Rest, more news will be coming soon on the technology supply front.
@Zombie_Plan: Your comment…
…pretty much sums it up, yes. I’ll have more to say in my next video diary.
The word you’re looking for is “incurable”. 😉
@Nicky Jurd and @Desertgirl: Thanks for the advice! All much appreciated!
@Sean the Blogonaut: I’m weird. I can cope with the reality of dealing with a first-aid emergency, myself or anothers’, but just can’t stand needles and need a little lie-down. As you’ll see when the video goes online.
@Fi Bendall: Sore arm. No sore bum — that wasn’t a target zone. Feel shit.
I never testified to having a proper grasp on the english language! I’m from Australia…not England ;P
Looking forward to the diaries…I haven’t had much chance to watch them because my internet’s been playing up a little.