Moving to China- hepatitis vacc. needed? Your thoughts...

[mctrigger]

Just curious what's people's thoughts are on getting vaccinated for hepatitis A, B, C.

Been living in Bangkok for a few years now, never got vaccinated and haven't really thought about it to be honest.

Moving to China in a month. Getting the impression that Hep. A is more common there- in water, sharing food?

Thinking about just getting a hep. A shot before I go.

any thoughts?

thx

[Madot]

Even some Chinese are paranoid about getting hepatitis. Not that the preventative measures are consistent-- or rational. For example, workers (in this case cleaners) were NOT to be offered water in our glasses but only in paper cups that could be thrown away. I asked why ever not and was told that too many people (read here 'from the country') carry hep and simply washing the glasses in hot soapy water wouldn't kill it.

Seriously though, I'll eat anything, go anywhere, but I would NOT go to China without a Hep vaccination. Hygiene in Thailand is centuries ahead of China. Even Laos (which is about a century behind Thailand) is cleaners' paradise compared to China. Have the jab!

Mado

[BrandeX]

hot soapy water

Something you are unlikely to see in public, or most anywhere here. Even people's homes only have hot water in the shower. Anyways, there is no reason not to get it right? Better safe than sorry. As for me though, I didn't get any vaccinations prior to coming nor after arriving in China.

[wushijiao]

Just curious what's people's thoughts are on getting vaccinated for hepatitis A, B, C.

I would get vaccinated, if I were you. China has one of the largest populations with Hep B (130 million, mainly due to the widespread use of shared needles about a generation ago, and this group of people face enormous social and employment discrimination, although many people are fighting back using the legal system, but that's another story).

Anyway, just in case something terrible were to happen to you (such as engaging in unsafe sexual conduct), I think you'd at least want to be Hep B vaccinated.

[heifeng]

You should definitely get vaccinated for that and make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date as well. Some of those vaccinations require 2-3 in a series until you are full vaccinated, so you should get started. I don't know where you are from, but here's the US's CDC's recommended vaccinations for China: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/china.aspx

[mctrigger]

Thanks for the feedback.

Since I will be going to China in a month, no time to get vaccinated beforehand since there are long gaps between shots in a series (wait 2-3 months).

So i guess i will have to do it after i arrive there

not something i'm worried about, just may as well do it to be safe. esp if theres no harm in doing it.

actually been living in Thailand for a few years, never bothered doing it here.

[philo-publius]

I was vaccinated just yesterday for A and B, for the second time.

Turns out I'm immune to the vaccine, at least the first time I received it. So I'd like to caution you that just because you've received vaccination for Hep A and B doesn't mean your immune to the diseases, there's actually a 2-5% chance you're body will reject the antibodies. Only way to find out if it works on you is to do blood tests some time after you've received the injections.

[Madot]

I would have at least the first injection in order to have SOME protection. I would NOT be vaccinated or given any other injections in China unless my life were in immediate, and I mean IMMEDIATE danger because they re-use the syringes and I am told often do not have proper sterilisation equipment (autoclaves, etc.)

Ask a doctor in THailand what s/he thinks...

Mado

[Erbse]

Hep A for general purpose,

Hep B if You want to have sex with locals

there is no Hep C vaccine.