I had my first pre-Uganda doctor’s appointment today! I got a physical examination, my first in a series of two Hepatitis A vaccinations, TB skin test, urine test, and hemoglobin test. I will have to go back to the clinic in two days to have the results of my TB test read, and I will get my second Hepatitis A shot in six months. I also received a prescription for my oral typhoid fever vaccination. I can decide whether I want to fill this prescription or get the actual shot, which lasts a few years longer than the oral vaccination does.
My doctor and I went over the various types of antimalarial prophylaxis medications available for the region of Africa I will be in, and I have to select which type I will to take. I am choosing between three types of medications taken in the form of pills that have various costs, side effects, and schedules. Some are taken once a week, while others are taken daily. Some of the side effects include upset stomach, sun sensitivity, and nightmares. I wonder what kind of nightmares..?/How exactly does that work?
I need to go to the health department travel clinic to receive my other vaccines, including the yellow fever shot. I will be finding out if I need the rabies and H1N1 vaccinations. I can also decide when I go there to receive the typhoid shot instead of the typhoid pill.
My doctor and I talked about the importance of using tons of sunscreen and insect repellant while I’m in Uganda. Main take-home points: I need stuff with a really high SPF and a lot of DEET! I need to bring a hat (especially because my scalp burns so easily!), and I’m supposed to wear long sleeves as much as possible. I'm not sure how much that will happen, but I'll try!
It’s strange to me because to pretty much anywhere else I’ve traveled before, I’ve packed the few days leading up to the trip. (I obviously never put off packing to the night before…) However, this one is completely different. For one thing, I'll be gone for about four months! I’m leaving at the end of January, but I already have to start preparing now. There’s a lot of stuff that I’ll need to buy and stock up on for when I’m in Uganda. There are also many medical, financial, and practical preparations to consider.
If I had sat in the doctor's office a year ago, or even a couple of months ago, waiting to receive the shots and the medical tests, I might not even have wanted to go to Uganda anymore. I might have changed my mind. I HATED shots, needles, finger pricks, doctor's offices, and all those crazy tests. However, today I can honestly say I really wasn't even fazed. I wasn't scared, or embarrassed, or anxious. I just did it. Granted, I looked away and thought of other things while being injected, but I still did it. I really do want to go to Uganda, and I'm realizing there are much worse things in the world than a few shots. I know all of these things are only being done to keep me safe and healthy, and in turn to protect the people I come in contact with. I don't want to come home from Uganda with a bunch of scary medical problems, so I am committed to doing everything I can now in order to minimize my risk of getting sick. It's all still kind of unsettling to think about, but I guess all I can do is prepare and hope for the best!
http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria_prophylaxis
til next time.
No comments:
Post a Comment