ds going to Morocco without hepA jab - is there an oral version?

[eatyourveg]

GP surgery says Hepatitis A and Typhoid are mixed together so he only has to have one jab but ds has a really really bad needle phobia (think Rain Man and aeroplanes) and has found out there is an oral typhoid available but not Hep A. He says he will just go without. He'll be going across from Spain to Tangier for 3 days as part of an interail.

I have suggested he ask the GP for a sedative or something so he can have the jab but he says he just can't.

I realise its very unwise and have told him it could possibly invalidate his travel insurance. Anyone know how dangerous his risk actually is if he goes without?

not an insubstantial risk - he needs to be very careful with food and water. Don't know your reference re Rain Man but if he does get typhoid or Hep A, he won't have any choice with needles. And your point about travel insurance is quite valid.

so the sensible advice is to avoid the area, he doesn't have to be there. Although TBH everyone should have hep A, typhoid, diptheria, polio etc as part of their standard immunisations.

Is the gp sympathetic? There is a local anaesthetic skin cream they can give you half an hour before in order to numb the jab.

The nurse administering the jab has told him to ring the GP monday morning to see what she can prescribe. He wants the typhoid as it can be given in 3 tablets but it looks like there is no oral hepA so he may have to be sedated.

He is up to date with all his standard jabs which he coped with normally. Only had one blood test which was years and years ago and he got so anxious he fainted. Its only in the last year since he's had MH difficulties that the needle thing seems to have exacerbated to such an extent

GP is aware so hopefully she will be sympathetic