to think my friends are silly to go on holiday without the appropriate vaccinations?

[JRmumma]

My 2 very dear friends have recently realised that they had booked a holiday and not thought about whether they need any vaccinations/malaria tablets. They are leaving in just under a week and so called the Drs to enquire about it as soon as the issue was brought to their attention.

To cut a long story short, yes they do need vaccinations and malaria tablets but have been told that a) its too late as they wouldn't have time to work before they go, and b) there are no available appointments anyway. Therefore they will go away without taking the appropriate precautions.

AIBU to think that it is risky to travel in this case not only for themselves but that they could bring something back and give it to me or my 5mo DS? Should we keep our distance on their return for a period of time?

They could go to a private travel clinic as there is some benefit in last minute jabs and antimalarials, but it will cost them.

It is a risk however the majority of people who live in those countries don't have the preventative vaccinations/medications and the majority (I think!) don't have malaria etc?
Balance of probability says it should be ok?

They should make sure to take very good insect repellents (Jungle Formula, the highest DEET %), and make sure they have and use properly impregnated bed nets.
They should also cover up as much as possible, particularly at dusk.

Malaria and other vector transmitted diseases are not transmitted person to person. If they bring something else, they will probably show symptoms fairly early.

Where are they travelling to and what are the diseases that they would be at risk of catching?

It is a risk however the majority of people who live in those countries don't have the preventative vaccinations/medications and the majority (I think!) don't have malaria etc?
They are encouraged to use bed nets and to use repellents when going out at night.

Conversely, it's mostly children who are at risk of malaria, and many do catch it and many of those can die from it. :(

Foreigners can catch it, as they are not immune at all, and some come back with very severe forms, such as cerebral malaria.

Jazz- Malaria kills a disgusting amount of people, especially small children every year. WHO would have the relevant stats if you are interested.

There are some anti malarials you can take 2 days before going away.

I think whether they are BU really depends on where they are going tbh.

Also seconding last minute vaccines.

They may also get to dedicated travel clinics. If they are in London, try the Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Or ring them for good advice.

There are malaria tablets that you take only 2 days before your trip...they need to go to a travel clinic or a regular pharmacy and ask for Malarone. I wouldn't risk it with malaria, the vaccinations are probably not so important unless of course it us yellow fever or something like that. But definitely tell them to ask about Malarone, malaria is not a joke.

Yes they are stupid. Malaria and other tropical diseases can and do kill. There are a handful of malaria deaths every year in the UK, from people who have been abroad. Malaria is still in the top 10 of the world's killer diseases.

Malarone costs an arm and a leg, or did when i got it 6 years ago as it wasn't prescription, but you take it two days before you go, as LoveWine says, and then every day while you're there. And I didn't get malaria . Well worth the £50 or whatever it was at the time.

Well, the advice is just plain wrong. They are in plenty of time for malaria prophylaxis and last minute jabs are still worth it, even if they only cover part of the holiday.

But, which doctor did they see? A lot of holiday stuff isn't available on NHS, and a GP doing a bit of private work on the side might run out of appointments. But a clinic such as one of the MASTA ones won't? They really need to get on to them asap.

It does depend on where they are going and what they are going to do. They may need different hepatitis vaccines (for example A), as well as tetanus, and "childhood vaccinations" because some adults have not maintained immunity and vaccination in those countries is not as intensive as in the UK.

jazz people build up immunity when they're living in the country. Once you leave the immunity rapidly decreases. Malaria can be fatal. It really isn't worth the risk.

Malarone is about £1.20 a tablet. You start taking it 2 days before you travel and a week afterwards.

Or you can risk it. And maybe die.

Yes. They are stupid.

They are going to Thailand. I believe its hep A and B, typhoid and diphtheria and malaria not essential if you stick to cities but they are travelling round.

I just cant believe they overlooked it tbh. They are both sensible and intelligent, if somewhat disorganised.

But lets assume they do not manage or try to sort it last minute, what's the risk? Not just for them but we have regular contact with them and im concerned for my child mainly. Although i hope they come away unscathed also.

I know a researcher on malaria who reportedly didn't use malaria prophylaxis, but preferred repellents.

Even if they use prophylaxis, there is a chance of resistance. So, they should not rely on that alone. Besides, in some countries there are insect borne diseases that don't have vaccinations.
I hope they are taking repellents.

They may well not get into the country. Every so often vaccination certificates are checked.

Typhoid and diphteria would be the biggest risk for you and your child, particularly if he hasn't had full vaccinations.
However, the incubation period is not that long, so I'd just stay clear for a couple of weeks at most.

Don't worry too much.

Are they aware of dengue? There was a very severe outbreak last year in Thailand, but I don't know what is the situation now.

You can buy malaria pills over the counter, tell them to go to a big boots, they will have them.

A travel clinic will do the jabs and some immunity is better than none.

They must be fastidious about hand washing, not have ice in drinks, drink water from sealed bottles only etc.

I didn't know people built up a natural immunity.
Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so blasé and ignorant - malaria is horrible.

We had to take tablets 3 weeks before or something.

I know someone who researches disease and he absolutely wouldn't risk it. A very close family member nearly died from malaria.

Only Yellow fever certificates are required when travelling.

No worries Jazz. I just feel so strongly about this after what happened to the family member. They thought they wouldn't catch malaria as they had never had it when they were living in the country without taking the tablets.

After a visit he became dangerously ill and had to have a blood transfusion.

My flat mate got Malaria at uni and I have never seen anyone so ill. I could feel the heat off him as I walked into the room. He missed the rest of the term. And he was a young fit 20 year old.

Check the HTD information.
There's cholera, rabies and Japanese encephalitis as well, depending on what they plan to do, but certainly if they plan on going to rural areas. And TB. And Schistosomiasis if they go swimming in the Mekong river.