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Hola Peregrinos and Peregrinas,
With only 6 weeks to go, I'm trying to make sure I'm all set before heading off for a great adventure.
I've purchased a 3 month travel insurance package with Allianz but was wondering if any of you have bothered getting any travel vaccinations before heading to Europe or to walk your Camino?
I know Spain is a developed country but considering walking the Camino and staying in possibly crowded Albergues or hostels... did you ever feel the need to take precautionary travel vaccinations? And if so, what did you get vaccinated against?
I'm of the opinion that I may not necessarily need travel vaccination but maybe past, present or future Camino walkers may have some invaluable advice for me.
I haven't traveled much nor for long periods so this will be my first long trip away, I'd like to learn a bit more before I decide if it's worth seeing a doctor about having travel vaccination for travel in Europe or whilst on the Camino.
Any advice would be most appreciated.
Buen Camino!
Marie
Its just like australia here, but without the big kitty litter in the middle
Travel to Europe and get a Hep A and B shot? My god, what kind of place does the world think Europe is??
I am astonished by the measures you guys think you have to take before crossing oceans to get here. Is europa that scary?
Usa, Aussie, Canada ect......come on guys, if you don't need it at home, you sure don't need it here. Let that be the rule.
Wineshopguy, I think the vacc for Hep A and B has to be repeated 6 months after the initial shot? Someone on here will have medical knowledge of this, but I'm sure this is what they told me. Jackie
Travel to Europe and get a Hep A and B shot? My god, what kind of place does the world think Europe is??
Yes and we have exported them to the coloniesI've heard rumors that you Europeans have indoor plumbing now. Is this true? I have also heard that you have stores, restaurants, and paved roads. Is this possible?
Yes and we have exported them to the colonies
There is not any Hep. in Spain or France. Hope this helps.
Soumie, I have to contradict you, or certainly your family doctor. There is lots of Hep A, B and C infection in the European population and I can find no trace of a suggestion that France & Spain are any different to the rest of us. There is likely to be lots of it in Nova Scotia too, unless you guys are very different to us. However the risks of infection are linked to behaviours, not geography, good personal hygiene, discretion in where you eat, sexual and recreational continence all limit the risk of infection. Vaccination is the prophylactic for those visiting high risk areas such as those cited above.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus, is the most common type of viral hepatitis. It occurs in [Europe], but is more common in countries where sanitation and sewage disposal are poor.
Hepatitis A is usually caught by putting something in your mouth that has been contaminated with the faeces of someone with hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. This can be found in blood and body fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluids, so it can be spread during unprotected sex or by sharing needles to inject drugs.
Hepatitis B is uncommon in [Europe] and cases are largely confined to certain groups, such as drug users. It is much more common in other parts of the world, such as China, central and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. A vaccination is available for hepatitis B, which is recommended for people in high-risk groups, such as injecting drug user
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is the most common type of viral hepatitis in [Europe]. It is estimated that around 255,000 people in England have the condition. Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. This can be found in the blood and, to a much lesser extent, the saliva and semen or vaginal fluid of an infected person. It is particularly concentrated in the blood, so it is usually transmitted through blood-to-blood contact.
There is a vaccination available for Hep A, your most likely exposure in Europe being swimming in rivers, lakes and the sea near sewage outfalls. Oh, and eating shell-fish harvested where it should not have been.
Buen (puncture free) Camino
Dutch - even in Australia there are carriers for Hep A & B and you will be surprised at how many of us have had our shots.Travel to Europe and get a Hep A and B shot? My god, what kind of place does the world think Europe is??
I am astonished by the measures you guys think you have to take before crossing oceans to get here. Is europa that scary?
Usa, Aussie, Canada ect......come on guys, if you don't need it at home, you sure don't need it here. Let that be the rule.
Thanks for the web site on vaccines and such.If you interested in vaccinations, here is one site (the same clinic we used some 20 years ago) that has a good run down on vaccinations makes sense where and why.
http://www.drwisetravel.com/inoc-recommeded.html
The Hep A and B inoculations are 3 separate injections, a few months apart and are effective for life according to my doctor. They are recommended for Canadians traveling to the Caribbean, Central America and Mediterranean countries.Wineshopguy, I think the vacc for Hep A and B has to be repeated 6 months after the initial shot? Someone on here will have medical knowledge of this, but I'm sure this is what they told me. Jackie
I also got the Hepatitis A and B inoculation. It was three shots given over six months. No big deal. Hepatitis B is contracted through having unprotected sex with an infected partner; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug paraphernalia; using something that may contain an infected person's blood, such as a razor or toothbrush; coming in direct contact with the blood of someone who has the disease; being exposed to blood from needle sticks or other sharp instruments. While I doubt I will ever be engaged in any of the described activities, it is better to be safe than sorry. BTW, the above would include any tattooing. Stay healthy.My doctor here in Canada is a walker and walks often in Europe. He advised me to get the shot for Hepatitis A and B. I did and it is good for life.
Dutch - even in Australia there are carriers for Hep A & B and you will be surprised at how many of us have had our shots.
Hep A & B are no respectors of country or population - Hep A is common across both the developed and developing world - its a matter of basic hygiene - so wash hands after toilet/before eating; Hep B - requires blood or body to body, transfer - who you going to sleep with? Prevention is far better than cure so be prepared!! As for me - 5 trips to Africa means I have had the full round of shots.
Tetanus inoculation is a common practice for anyone who is traveling anywhere.
Hikers, campers, boaters, and just plain travelers are all wise to get the simple shot.
There are many ways to get a small injury or cut while walking a Camino.
Being in Europe has nothing to do with it. The same good practice would apply in North America, Oz, NZ, or anywhere else.
This appears to assume people have kept their basic vaccinations up to date, and are prepared to take some risks with diseases that are not endemic in Europe, but nonetheless remain a risk for travellers.Like others have said, Tetanus is really all what you need. Regarding flu shots, as far as I know there are different 'strains' of flu 'available, so I wouldn't be too sure that an 'over-sea' jab protects you against the European strains, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza#Vaccination
Buen (infection-free) Camino! SY
@Dutch --- I think your premise is rather flawed that non-Europeans consider Europe scary and third-world.Travel to Europe and get a Hep A and B shot? My god, what kind of place does the world think Europe is??
I am astonished by the measures you guys think you have to take before crossing oceans to get here. Is europa that scary?
Usa, Aussie, Canada ect......come on guys, if you don't need it at home, you sure don't need it here. Let that be the rule.
@Dutch --- I think your premise is rather flawed that non-Europeans consider Europe scary and third-world.
The immunization concerns my doctor raised had nothing to do with me going from the US to Europe. In fact, they had NOTHING at all to do with Europe. It had to do with people from across the entire world coming to Spain to walk the Camino, which meant possibility of exposure to a variety of illnesses and health concerns at a level of concentration unlikely to be found in Europe (or anywhere else) under almost any other circumstance. If the Camino was in any other country or continent (including in the USA, Australia, or Canada), his concerns would not have changed.
After reviewing my records, his final recommendation was simply to get the appropriate boosters for vaccinations I'd already received AND a meningitis vaccination (which I had not). This was primarily based on the risk of high density dorm lodging and on recommendations from the CDC and WHO, which were tracking elevated numbers of meningitis cases globally. Therefore, in the end, the precautions were nothing more than what is (arguably) a standard recommended set of immunizations that would be in place for our little third-world country (the USA) and a credible risk that was being tracked by the CDC/WHO. Sorry, but no global conspiracy or persecution here, just common sense to get current on coverage that has lapsed.
To have current immunizations. I doubt he'd distinguish between DisneyWorld or EuroDisney. Not everyone outside Europe is ignorant or prejudiced.Wauw, i wonder what your doctors advice would be when you would go to Disneyworld.
Hola Felipe - don't feel to concerned about your medical/dental preparedness being apparently lacking compared to other pilgrims. Like the Camino your journey through life is your journey and how you live your life governs the need for vaccinations. You have (imho) expressed very sensible ideas - especially a general check-up, before undertaking a 700 plus km walk. Buen CaminoWell, after reading this, I am starting to feel vague symptoms of many possible diseases...
I have no experience on these vaccinations issue, so I only mention two things I always do before the Camino: a visit to my dentist, and a general medical checkup. The latter, imho, should be *strongly recommended* to all pilgrims over 50 yrs old.
Oh, and in my particular case, a visit to my orthopedist, to check up my wobbly right knee. He is quite amused with me, because he has many patients who are basket players, cyclists, skaters, etc....but I am his only pilgrim case
It was the American indians who needed the inoculations when you sent us the Pilgrim Fathers. I'll leave it to an Aussie to comment on the convicts. I suspect Spencer Tracy needed his Heb B sequence about the time he got "Adams Rib" with Katherine Hepburn . . .Hi Dutch,
Couldn't agree more with you in fact didn't the Pilgrim Fathers, the Shiploads of Convicts and Spencer Tracy ( Northwest Passage ) all have injections before they departed Europe. I'm sure they did.
It was the American indians who needed the inoculations when you sent us the Pilgrim Fathers. I'll leave it to an Aussie to comment on the convicts. I suspect Spencer Tracy needed his Heb B sequence about the time he got "Adams Rib" with Katherine Hepburn . . .
I had some minor, nagging tendinitis some mornings right where my Achilles tendon entered my back heel. It always went away with basic stretching in the morning, and I did NOT check with my orthopedist. So, I walked 500 miles with daily stretching and felt great for several months after. Then, without much warning, the tendinitis returned with a vengeance.Oh, and in my particular case, a visit to my orthopedist, to check up my wobbly right knee.
I actually deferred to the Aussies for the convict shipments. Can anyone really explain the Australians??? <Well, except maybe the New Zealanders . . .>How did I know you would have the complete answer.
Thanks, Mike. I am not specially concerned about this issue. I just take some precautions that my many birtdhays and some experiences (as those of koilife) have taught me are sensible. And, generally speaking, I follow the recommendation of an hospitalero: "Don´t worry, Saint James care for his flock". And sometimes, it seems to be really true.Hola Felipe - don't feel to concerned about your medical/dental preparedness being apparently lacking compared to other pilgrims. Like the Camino your journey through life is your journey and how you live your life governs the need for vaccinations. You have (imho) expressed very sensible ideas - especially a general check-up, before undertaking a 700 plus km walk. Buen Camino
WHAT do you mean "explain the Australians"? We do not need any explaining to anyone else - Kiwi; Yank; Pom or Others. We are very happy with our lot - selling the Chinese as much iron ore and coal as they can handle - we have 3 of the top 10 "tripple A" Banks - some of us are not happy about the current government (but that's a domestic matter) - and we are handling the search for MH370.I actually deferred to the Aussies for the convict shipments. Can anyone really explain the Australians??? <Well, except maybe the New Zealanders . . .>
I stand humbled before the awesomeness of your accent . . .WHAT do you mean "explain the Australians"? We do not need any explaining to anyone else - Kiwi; Yank; Pom or Others. We are very happy with our lot - selling the Chinese as much iron ore and coal as they can handle - we have 3 of the top 10 "tripple A" Banks - some of us are not happy about the current government (but that's a domestic matter) - and we are handling the search for MH370.
As for vaccinations - like the American "First Nations" Peoples, I think our Indigenous Peoples would have preferred the convicts and British sailors to have been vaccinated before boarding the First Fleet in 1787.
Buen Camino
WHAT do you mean "explain the Australians"? We do not need any explaining to anyone else - Kiwi; Yank; Pom or Others. We are very happy with our lot - selling the Chinese as much iron ore and coal as they can handle - we have 3 of the top 10 "tripple A" Banks - some of us are not happy about the current government (but that's a domestic matter) - and we are handling the search for MH370.
As for vaccinations - like the American "First Nations" Peoples, I think our Indigenous Peoples would have preferred the convicts and British sailors to have been vaccinated before boarding the First Fleet in 1787.
Buen Camino
My doctor here in Canada is a walker and walks often in Europe. He advised me to get the shot for Hepatitis A and B. I did and it is good for life.
Way up on the Camino San Salvador, back before it was properly waymarked, I was caught up in a barbed-wire fence and cut up the palm of my left hand. I went to the first doctor I came to, in the Centro Salud in Pola de Lena. I had my Spanish health system card with me, but they waved it aside, whacked me with a tetanus shot, and patched up my hand in a twinkling.
You can get shots here if you need them.
Yes, I am due for my tetanus booster so that is on my list. I also have had my flu shot. Coughing and spluttering a bit at the moment though - had my dental checkup and the dentist was sick.
I'll be on the plane in 4 weeks time. Yikes!
My general experience is that emergency treatment doesn't attract a charge at public hospitals in the EU and UK. I am not sure what limits might be placed on this, and at what point emergency treatment stops. I would still carry travel insurance just in case I suffered an illness or accident that required more care or evacuation back to Australia.Regarding the Spanish Health System: I was told that pilgrims are treated free of charge for problems which arise as a result of walking the Camino. Can anyone confirm this?
Regarding the Spanish Health System: I was told that pilgrims are treated free of charge for problems which arise as a result of walking the Camino. Can anyone confirm this?
I totally agree. The Red Cross can provide quality first aid as well. You need to have travel coverage.Yes. The Spanish Health System can confirm this. So contact them and find out. I wouldn't rely on any anecdotal information found here to suspend responsibility for ensuring you have adequate travel insurance.
What you may find is that minor health issues are dealt with free of charge ... because it costs less than dealing with the administration of getting money from your insurer.
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