Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[Jessica_CDN]

I just got my passport today and with it came an advertisement for Dukoral, an oral vaccine for traveller's diarrhea. I was wondering if anyone has taken it and if it's worthwhile.

[whereshegoes]

Interesting....I have never heard of it. I have noticed they seem to be giving more and more vaccines now.

When my cousin came for a three week visit to Buenos Aires, her doctor advised her to get tons of shots and even take anti-malarial drugs. I thought it was completely unneccessary but she got scared into it. Needless to say, she took them...got sick anyway. I didn't take any of them and I was fine.

I know this is probably not the norm but whatever...I try to take the least amount of those things as possible. Immodium works fine for me if I ever really need it. Which I didn't on my trip.

I guess you need to do what you feel comfortable with.

[andrea]

We carry cipro antibiotics with us just in case. I´ve actually had to use them twice in South America!

Andrea

[kris]

i thought for diarrhea the best thing is to 'let it out' and keep hydrated..

..and only resort to imodium if your gonna be on a long bus journey, as it might be handy to keep it in..

[Maisie]

I just checked the CDC site and they do not recommend Dukoral but I don't always have too much faith in what they say. My hesitancy on using this medication is that there are many types of diseases you can pick up during your travels and using the wrong drug can really mess you up, especially something like Cipro which has some nasty side effects. I took Cipro 6 months ago and my doctor told me I couldn't do ANY exercise for over a month - a real drag on a vacation.

If you trust your doctor I would go with what they say; when traveling in someplace like Mexico I go the route of heavy doses of Vit C, acidophilus, bottled water, and no fresh fruits or vegetables (ate some fresh tomatoes in Puerto Vallarta 15 years ago and never forgot it!).

Do the guidebooks like Lonely Planet have any information on the problem for where you are going?

Carol
Editor - Lowfares.com
http://www.lowfares.com

[alex]

I just got my passport today and with it came an advertisement for Dukoral, an oral vaccine for traveller's diarrhea. I was wondering if anyone has taken it and if it's worthwhile.

i'd bring it up when getting vax@ travel clinic. the nurse can give you pros cons & measures to take in lieu of. curious what the $ is. my cheap precaution is pepto bismol daily doses @least a few days pre departure, then am and mid day doses every day. good luck

[uncle_davros]

I had my shots for my last trip, but I don't do anti malaria tablets. I know people that have taken them and still ended up with malaria.

As for diarrhea, let it out and drink loads of water or watered down lemonade for the sugar

And remember, there are no vaccinations or medication for Hep E