Today we went to the Texas Instruments Doctor for our US Expat Exam. Contrary to our China Health Check ... we were not in and out in an hour. This exam was as much about arming us with information as it was an exam. We learned all the potential health issues we might be exposed to while visiting not only China, but the other countries on Michael's work agenda.
We were issued our expat kits... which are pretty cool... better than any first aid kit I have seen.... the tag labels it as an 'Adventure Medical Kit'. The contents: An N-95 face mask, tissues, eye wash, insect repellent, sun block, hand sanitizer, Rolaids, cough/throat drops, antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream, various sizes of Band-Aids, various types of pain relievers, some kind of after bite towelette, moleskin for blisters, and the best two things for last. A visual communication card so that IF something happens and one needs to make a non-English speaking medical professional understand your ailment... point to the pictures. The final item... a book... 'A comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine'. Here are just a few how-to-handle topics included: Gunshots and arrow injuries, how to perform a cricothyrodotomy, setting broken bones, hyperthermia, and a multitude of other medical emergencies that one might encounter in the wilderness. My sincerest hope is that I never have to consult the book!!
After learning about potential travel maladies... most folks are familiar with the most common travel illness... Montezuma’s Revenge... but in the more rural areas, malaria. Contracted from those lovely biting insects... mosquitos! Although we most likely will not be spending a lot of time in the country, we are ready for it with our drug.... 'Larium'.
Once we were warned to not drink the water, and we should carefully and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, it was time for the dreaded list... and you ask... what list? The shots list!!! And a list it was!!! WE endured five..countem’ up... five shots... followed by a TB Test.... which clearly involves a needle... so maybe we actually got six. Let's list them off...
1. Meningococcal
2. MMR
3. Polio
4. Tetanus Toxoid
5. Typhoid
6. TB Test
I took 3 in the Left arm and the right arm got 2 and the TB test... I am typically not squeamish about shots and today was no exception, however the ones with the thicker serums were a bit 'rough'. Of course, my big brave husband, totally hates shots.. most of the color drained from his face after about the second shot. He does not do well in these situations. But he made it though. Unfortunately, he did not get his red sucker for being such a good patient!
Well… both of us are now dragging our arms around… both arms feel like dead weights. I had to reach up on a shelf and thought I would cry… note to self… never get this many shots in one day!!!!
What I failed to mention is that once we get to China, we must find a local recommended doctor and start the Hepatitis A and B series. We simply do not have enough time to get started here. That is 5 more shots over a six month period of time.
I remember when my younger brother, John, was in the first grade. He contracted Hepatitis. We believe he got it from a food handler in a local place we ate. All of our family had to go for the inoculation. That was, without a doubt, the most painful shot I have ever received… and it was in the hip. Even though I was in the third grade at the time… man the shot was terrible. John was really sick and out of school for a six weeks… if I remember correctly.
I guess it could have been worse… but I am really ready to end the medical stuff now… Now I need to read through the 38 page print out of the International SOS China Country Guide…. It discusses everything you need to know, but never knew you needed to know about China!!! I think this might need to wait for morning… the time changes have been tough on us. Our sleep patterns are still messed up!! I figure about the time we get back to normal it will be time to leave… Oh well......
BTW.... you DO NOT have to have all these shots to come for a visit!!!! We are going to several countries and will be there for a long while... but anyone coming for a visit does not need to worry...
We were issued our expat kits... which are pretty cool... better than any first aid kit I have seen.... the tag labels it as an 'Adventure Medical Kit'. The contents: An N-95 face mask, tissues, eye wash, insect repellent, sun block, hand sanitizer, Rolaids, cough/throat drops, antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream, various sizes of Band-Aids, various types of pain relievers, some kind of after bite towelette, moleskin for blisters, and the best two things for last. A visual communication card so that IF something happens and one needs to make a non-English speaking medical professional understand your ailment... point to the pictures. The final item... a book... 'A comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine'. Here are just a few how-to-handle topics included: Gunshots and arrow injuries, how to perform a cricothyrodotomy, setting broken bones, hyperthermia, and a multitude of other medical emergencies that one might encounter in the wilderness. My sincerest hope is that I never have to consult the book!!
After learning about potential travel maladies... most folks are familiar with the most common travel illness... Montezuma’s Revenge... but in the more rural areas, malaria. Contracted from those lovely biting insects... mosquitos! Although we most likely will not be spending a lot of time in the country, we are ready for it with our drug.... 'Larium'.
Once we were warned to not drink the water, and we should carefully and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, it was time for the dreaded list... and you ask... what list? The shots list!!! And a list it was!!! WE endured five..countem’ up... five shots... followed by a TB Test.... which clearly involves a needle... so maybe we actually got six. Let's list them off...
1. Meningococcal
2. MMR
3. Polio
4. Tetanus Toxoid
5. Typhoid
6. TB Test
I took 3 in the Left arm and the right arm got 2 and the TB test... I am typically not squeamish about shots and today was no exception, however the ones with the thicker serums were a bit 'rough'. Of course, my big brave husband, totally hates shots.. most of the color drained from his face after about the second shot. He does not do well in these situations. But he made it though. Unfortunately, he did not get his red sucker for being such a good patient!
Well… both of us are now dragging our arms around… both arms feel like dead weights. I had to reach up on a shelf and thought I would cry… note to self… never get this many shots in one day!!!!
What I failed to mention is that once we get to China, we must find a local recommended doctor and start the Hepatitis A and B series. We simply do not have enough time to get started here. That is 5 more shots over a six month period of time.
I remember when my younger brother, John, was in the first grade. He contracted Hepatitis. We believe he got it from a food handler in a local place we ate. All of our family had to go for the inoculation. That was, without a doubt, the most painful shot I have ever received… and it was in the hip. Even though I was in the third grade at the time… man the shot was terrible. John was really sick and out of school for a six weeks… if I remember correctly.
I guess it could have been worse… but I am really ready to end the medical stuff now… Now I need to read through the 38 page print out of the International SOS China Country Guide…. It discusses everything you need to know, but never knew you needed to know about China!!! I think this might need to wait for morning… the time changes have been tough on us. Our sleep patterns are still messed up!! I figure about the time we get back to normal it will be time to leave… Oh well......
BTW.... you DO NOT have to have all these shots to come for a visit!!!! We are going to several countries and will be there for a long while... but anyone coming for a visit does not need to worry...
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