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Merhaba, Turkophiles! Hey, I'm going to Turkey for the first time, and all of the travel web sites and a few of my travel books "strongly recommend" that American travelers to Turkey get immunized for hepatitus A, typhus, tetanus and one or two other delightful maladies that I can't seem to remember right now. In y'all's opinion, is this really necessary?
OF !#$%-ING COURSE, our health insurance doesn't pay for travel immunizations (ahhhh, when the Revolution comes ... when the Revolution comes ... ), and the price for the recommended shots is more than $200 ($400 for me AND my wife ... ouch).
We've traveled in the Balkans before, without precautionary immunizations, and we lived to tell the tale. We would much rather spend $400 on ouds and darbukas and concert tickets and museum tours and imam bayildi and belly dancing gear than on a half dozen painful shots in the arm that may or may not be absolutely necessary.
Does anybody have any experience with this?
Thanks. Uh, I mean ... tesekkur ederim. (Yes! I'm learning Turkish for our trip.)
OF !#$%-ING COURSE, our health insurance doesn't pay for travel immunizations (ahhhh, when the Revolution comes ... when the Revolution comes ... ), and the price for the recommended shots is more than $200 ($400 for me AND my wife ... ouch).
We've traveled in the Balkans before, without precautionary immunizations, and we lived to tell the tale. We would much rather spend $400 on ouds and darbukas and concert tickets and museum tours and imam bayildi and belly dancing gear than on a half dozen painful shots in the arm that may or may not be absolutely necessary.
Does anybody have any experience with this?
Thanks. Uh, I mean ... tesekkur ederim. (Yes! I'm learning Turkish for our trip.)
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Richmond
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Mon, June 12, 2006 - 1:35 PMMerhaba,
I was there last Summer and I didnt... my Dr. said it might be needed if you were going to more rural areas. But I was in Antalya, Side and Istanbul. And I am no worse for wear. I did carry a sunblock/mosquito repellant as repellant was advised. There was 19 of us and no maladies, just fun was had.
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Mon, June 12, 2006 - 4:55 PMI've been to Turkey several times and my mom goes every year. We've never worried about getting those shots.
Just use good common sense and you'll be fine. -
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Mon, June 12, 2006 - 8:08 PMYeah, it just all seems like paranoid overkill. We'll be in Istanbul, Bergama, Selcuk, Fetihye, Kas, Antalya, Kayseri and Goreme ... in other words, the long-established Turkey tourist route. We went to Bosnia five years ago, and nobody said a damn thing to us about shots. But then again, with OUR luck, we'll pick up a touch of leprosy, sprinkled with a little bit of good old fashioned bubonic plague ... -
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Tue, June 13, 2006 - 12:59 PMI'd recommend the Hep A immuization if a bout of Hep A would ruin your trip.
(Heck, Hep A is good to have in the US if you frequent places like Denny's, IMHO.)
I haven't checked recently, but in 2001 there was some problem with malaria east of Side alog the coast.
Leprosy isn't something that is easily picked up. You'd have to have a long-term exposure in close quarters to get that.
Also, sometime, you might consider getting the Hepatitis B series immunization. The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone get this. It's not just for health care workers, anymore.
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Wed, June 14, 2006 - 1:20 AMI think you'll be fine. I seem to recall asking my doctor the same question prior to my first trip to Turkey, but I didn't get any shots. It's not really necessary.... unless you end up stepping on a rusty nail (God forbid!) which would suck regardless if you were in the US or in Turkey.
There are fine hospitals here, the pharmacies are well-stocked and you find most of the medications that you would find in the US.
I think if you are traveling to the Eastern-most parts of Turkey, you should be a bit more careful (mosquito repellant is recommended) but in general, you'll be fine.
Have a good trip! -
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Wed, June 14, 2006 - 7:31 AMnope, never got shots or worried about it. mosquitoes love me and i always get eaten alive in the summertime especially in the coastal areas but i have never gotten sick.
you should be just fine and if nothing else like others say, there are plenty of walk in clinics and hospitals, etc. the pharmacists are very knowledgable here too.
have a wonderful trip and let us know how you enjoy it! -
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Wed, June 14, 2006 - 1:17 PMAhhhhh, all very interesting responses. My traveling partners still seem to need convincing but ... I think I am going to forego the pharmaceutical pincushioning and take my chances. Thanks for y'all's advice, I really appreciate it! -
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Fri, June 16, 2006 - 7:45 AMMerhaba or Hi, :)
I live in istanbul since 20 years. If you want to see sea, sand, beach that i suggest Marmaris, Antalya. for others, exactly Istanbul. Istanbul is a historical city.
In additionally, you could take a holiday with 600$ for an week.
See you. -
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Re: Immunization Shots?
Fri, June 16, 2006 - 9:55 AMMerhaba. Thanks for your suggestions. We will spend more than a week in Istanbul, and we'll also visit Bergama, Ephesus, Selcuk, Fethiye, Antalya, and Cappadocia ... plus, we'll take a 4-day gulet cruise. I'm most excited to hear Turkish music, meet Turkish people, learn some of the language, and to see as much ancient history as possible; for my wife, I think it is more like BEACH, SAND and SUN!
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