What medicines do you travel O/S with? [No specific medical advice]

[Rebekkap]

The only vaccinations/immunisations I've had are for tetanus, polio and Hep B. Pertussis and rubella let alone the current coughtails weren't around when I was a kid.

Pertussis vaccine has been available since 1927. Didn't realise you were so old! I just had an MMR vaccine as I'm off so Southern California next weekend, and they're currently having a measles outbreak. When I checked my vaccination records, I'd had a single dose measles vaccine in 1976, rather than two doses as is now recommended. A ridiculous amount of my luggage these days is medications. Prescription anti-inflammatories that I'm on permanently, sleeping pills (stillnox and temazepan, depending whether I'm having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep) plus melatonin. Valium for the plane. Low-dose aspirin for the plane, and a few days before and after. Panadol, cold and flu tablets (night and day versions), ibuprofin, anti-nausea and anti-stomach bug tablets, antibiotics in case of bronchitis (if I get a cold it's pretty much inevitable), asthma medication, Vicks First Defence, herbal anti-cold pills (I think they have elderberry or something in them - they're from the supermarket and they seem to work), two sorts of nasal spray, eye drops, vitamins plus the various supplements I take... It's basically half my suitcase. I'm pretty good at packing light when it comes to clothes and everything else, but I do NOT want to have to leave the hotel if I'm sick!

 

[Pushka]

Pertussis vaccine has been available since 1927. Didn't realise you were so old!

Good grief. People barely had enough to eat in the depression years and "availability" to the masses didn't occur for the great unwashed until at least mid forties. During and post WW2 and Korean War thereafter. Other issues to think about. So I'll say again in my childhood the emphasis was on polio diptheria and tetanus. Availability does not mean mass availability.

 

[Rebekkap]

Good grief. People barely had enough to eat in the depression years and "availability" to the masses didn't occur for the great unwashed until at least mid forties. During and post WW2 and Korean War thereafter. Other issues to think about. So I'll say again in my childhood the emphasis was on polio diptheria and tetanus. Availability does not mean mass availability.

It was a joke!

 

[Pushka]

It was a joke!

Really? Sorry. Didn't see it.

 

[Rebekkap]

Really? Sorry. Didn't see it.

No worries. I thought the exclamation mark and the fact that you're unlikely to be in your late 80s would have given it away, but obviously they didn't

 

[mel1]

How do people here take Diamox? I have had one GP tell me it's better to use it preventively (i.e. before going to altitude), and another tell me to use it only if necessary

We are going to Machu Picchu and my GP (who has been there) as well as my sister and numerous (about 5 ) friends who have been all say to start taking Diamox one to two days before going to altitude. Once you are sick it's too late. ½ tab twice a day. We will definitely be following that advice