Getting shot for Eastern Europe (NSR)

[Twoplanker]

Looks likely that I will be travelling to Vienna, the Czech Republic, and then on to Kazakhstan in May. I was told I need to get some shots (to prevent diseases prevalent in these places). Anyone have information of where can find out what shots I need to get?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for things I should check out in these places? The trip will be for about 2 weeks, with about 3 days at each location.

Any tips, hints, suggestions for what to see, what to avoid, etc. I know almost nothing about these places. What can I expect, especially in Kazakhstan and Czech (since I suspect Vienna will be a bit more Western and modern)

[skier0178]

Vienna is one of my favorite cities in the world. If you're into architecture and art, you can't go wrong here. One thing that is really amazing to check out is the Kunsthauswien (hundertwasser's house), really an amazing place and artist. Prague is a beautiful city too. Should be a really interesting trip. As far as skiing goes, can't go wrong with the austrian alps. I've never heard of having to take shots before going there (maybe Kazakhstan but definitely not the others). Have a good one...

[char]

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm

[Twoplanker]

Originally posted by char
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm

Duh! Thanks. Looks like Hep A and Typhoid are the concerns.

[Cornholio]

There are all sorts of fun diseases you can pick up in Prague, but not ones that prophylactic shots will prevent.

[Twoplanker]

Originally posted by Cornholio
There are all sorts of fun diseases you can pick up in Prague, but not ones that prophylactic shots will prevent.

Yeah, the CDC says to get a Hep B shot and wear a Jimmy Hat if you plan on swapping fluids with the locals . I don't have any such plans.

[Pinner]

Dude, I went to freaking Africa for 6 months and didn't take any shots. Just don't be stupid and you won't die.

[Twoplanker]

Originally posted by Pinner
Dude, I went to freaking Africa for 6 months and didn't take any shots. Just don't be stupid and you won't die.

Congratulations on surviving Freaking Africa. I think I'll trust the CDC on this one, big guy.

[Cornholio]

Originally posted by Pinner
Just don't be stupid and you won't die.

Good advice. Thanks.

[truth]

Originally posted by Pinner
Dude, I went to freaking Africa .

Mapquest is coming up blank on that one.

[Schmear]

Just think, 15 years ago it was Getting shot in Eastern Europe.

[Tippster]

In the Czech Republic you'll need all three days just for Prague. Wonderful city - one of my favorites. If you have time check out Karlovy Vary - once known as Carlsbad. It was the summer residence of several Holy Roman Emperors... (i.e. Charlemagne)

The town of Budweis is the original Home of Budweiser. They call their brew "Budvar" and it's NOTHING like what you get from A/B. Take the brewery tour and eat/drink in their restaurant. Cheap^2!!

Speaking of beer, ever heard of Pilsener Urquell? The town of Pilsen is a mere 2 hours from Prague...

Regardless, drink beer. It's sooooooo good there. (Besides the above also try Stavopramen!)

Vienna is one of the World's great capitals, in the same league as London, Madrid, and Berlin. It doesn't suck, but good skiing is farther away than you'd think. Give yourself at least 3 hours of driving time to get to the goods. I'd recommend the Zell-am-See areas like Kaprun.

[mrw]

Originally posted by Pinner
Dude, I went to freaking Africa for 6 months and didn't take any shots. Just don't be stupid and you won't die.

Where were you in Africa? I was in Zimbabwe and Botswana a few years ago. I got a shit load of shots prior to leaving but still came back with some sort of disease that hammered me for almost a year. I went to doctor after doctor and no one could diagnose it. Penecilin would take the edge off but after a few months it would come roaring back. I had a great time there (extended safari) but I will not go back. Not counting the disease, I was almost killed twice. Once by the locals in Harare and once by croc in Botswana. Stiches from the 1st and dirty underware from the 2nd

[Chronic]

Shots are an easy precaution to lower the risk of getting some gnarly disease. Sure, you would probably be fine without any, but why take the chance when they are readily available? Your local hospital or clinic might have a travel medicine clinic. If not, I'm sure there must be one somewhere in SLC. Just call the travel medicine clinic, tell 'em where you're going, and they will set you up. Don't wait until the last minute, as some regimens need a few weeks to be effective.

Sounds like a really cool trip. Prague is incredible, and I really want to explore other parts of Eastern Europe. Have fun!

[Tippster]

Originally posted by mrw
Where were you in Africa? I was in Zimbabwe and Botswana a few years ago. I got a shit load of shots prior to leaving but still came back with some sort of disease that hammered me for almost a year. I went to doctor after doctor and no one could diagnose it. Penecilin would take the edge off but after a few months it would come roaring back. I had a great time there (extended safari) but I will not go back. Not counting the disease, I was almost killed twice. Once by the locals in Harare and once by croc in Botswana. Stiches from the 1st and dirty underware from the 2nd

So....what was it? Dengue Fever?

[mrw]

Originally posted by Tippster
So....what was it? Dengue Fever?

I never did find out. There was a point where I could barely walk from one end of a mall to the other without sitting down. One day I started itching from a bad reaction to some medicine I was taking so I went home and shit canned all medicine, started eating lots of veggies,fruits and grains and forcing myself to excercise regardless of how I felt. For about a year, it would hit me in waves and I could feel my body building resistance to it and fighting back. Eventually it just disappeared. Doctor after doctor would give a diagnosis ranging from some degenerative disease to Dengue fever. Really they were taking shots in the dark. I think the only reason I kept mt sanity is that when the symptoms were at their worst, an antibiotic would really help so I knew it wasn't some degenerative incureable disease.
It's been 10 years now and I still have a HUGE distrust of doctors and their ability to really know the problem unless it's something simple.
One thing is certain. I will never travel to another 3rd world shit hole as long as I live.

[mrw]

Driving along today, I remembered another Africa story. Upon return to the states, one of the guys on the trip developed a nasty boil on his arm. About a week later, it split open and a live worms came crawling out of it. It seems that a certain breed of african fly lays it's eggs in open cuts and a few weeks later, you're staring in your own sci fi movie.

[Pinner]

Originally posted by Twoplanker
Congratulations on surviving Freaking Africa. I think I'll trust the CDC on this one, big guy.

Then why are you soliciting input from a bunch of Internet geeks?

Honestly, only whitebread Americans are this freakish about prohylactic shots. If you are going to an area known for Yellow Fever, it's a good idea to get the shots, but otherwise, quite honestly, if you're gonna get sick, you're gonna get sick. Most ailments are gastrointestinal, and acidophilus is the best preventative treatment for that. In malaria-prone regions, Deet is the only preventative short of full mosquito netting. Hepatitis is avoidable if you're careful where and what you eat. Don't order ice cubes or uncooked vegetables in suspect places. Most people avoid street vendors, but I've found some of the best food in the world cooked streetside.

Put your energy into learning a few words of the local language instead of fearing the place, and I guarantee you'll have a better time.

Of course I could be wrong, I've only visited about 80 or 90 countries.

[Chronic]

I disagree that travel vaccinations are "freakish", "whitebread" (whatever that means) or somehow implies that you are scared of the country you're travelling to. For something like Hep, it's a low-cost, low-hassle way to further reduce the risk of contracting what can be a nasty disease. Seems sensible to me, but everyone's risk calculus is different. Get the relevant info and make your own call.

I agree that you should try to learn a little of the local lingo, and venture off the tourist trail a bit, if practical. Makes for a much richer experience, and the street vendors can cook up some excellent food. Just be aware and have fun.

[DB]

I'm in Vienna and a friend of mine has worked in Prague. Any specific info you need just send me a PM.

http://www.aboutvienna.org/
http://www.actilingua.com/AboutVienna/fastfacts.htm
http://www.europeanrailguide.com/des...guides/vienna/

http://www.bugbog.com/european_citie...ue_travel.html
http://www.virtourist.com/europe/prague/Prague.htm
http://www.andel3w.dk/prague/english/prag03.htm

During May I can only see the glaciers in Austria open for skiing (Kaprun, Hinterux, Sölden etc). Kaprun is nearest (4 hrs by car) and it has 3 metres (ca 120") of snow at the moment but it's getting warmer here.

The only extra jab I have here that I didn't have back in England is against the insects in the forrest - I'ill try and find out exactly what it's called.