Health checklist before travel to Philippines

[Steve.r]

No, never had them. Rabies was too expensive in my mind, but it is what it is. What I will say though, is that by not trying local foods, drinking water, you will never build up the strength in your stomach. As long as you have immodium, have a ball, eat drink and enjoy everything, nothing worse than worrying if you should try this and try that.... I really love street bbq.

As as for toilet habits, I am sure your gf was not shocked, you always see people on the side of the road having a pee. No closed doors in our house either lol

[ssbib]

No, never had them. Rabies was too expensive in my mind, but it is what it is. What I will say though, is that by not trying local foods, drinking water, you will never build up the strength in your stomach. As long as you have immodium, have a ball, eat drink and enjoy everything, nothing worse than worrying if you should try this and try that.... I really love street bbq.

As as for toilet habits, I am sure your gf was not shocked, you always see people on the side of the road having a pee. No closed doors in our house either lol

I'm all for trying the food over there. Actually I really liked it. The only thing I don't touch is the tap water. I don't even like tap water in England so I just stick to bottled all round. I always carry Imodium when I travel, it's essential. Interesting that you haven't had the vaccines. I'm certain I'll be ok. Just a bit frightening when you hear the gp talk about it.

My girlfriend was just as nervous as me I think about the bathroom situation but she quickly got over it. There's no hesitation for her now regarding such things for either of us.

[Steve.r]

Best to keep shy of dogs really unless they are known to be negative or vaccinated. Doesn't mean you cant touch them, just be aware, but keep away from street dogs.

As Alan also says there are many other biting animals, snakes for example. In our brgy we had two cases of Cobra bites. One guy died within 2 hours, decided to have a local witch doctor remedy.... the other a good friend was bitten on his ankle on his doorstep, went to grab the snake to pull it off and got bitten again on the hand. He got directly to hospital and survived.

Just be streetwise, it's not such a bad place.

[ssbib]

Best to keep shy of dogs really unless they are known to be negative or vaccinated. Doesn't mean you cant touch them, just be aware, but keep away from street dogs.

As Alan also says there are many other biting animals, snakes for example. In our brgy we had two cases of Cobra bites. One guy died within 2 hours, decided to have a local witch doctor remedy.... the other a good friend was bitten on his ankle on his doorstep, went to grab the snake to pull it off and got bitten again on the hand. He got directly to hospital and survived.

Just be streetwise, it's not such a bad place.

I don't plan on getting overly close to dogs or anything like that. Just can't decide whether to play it super safe
and pay even more money to get he vaccinations. It's nearly as expensive as a months rent on the flat I'm eyeing up! I think learning a bit more about the diseases will help me make an informed decision.

[Steve.r]

I am not going to tell you what to do, but I know from my experience what I would do and have done. Better to look both ways when you cross the road in the Philippines imo.

[Michael Parnham]

My ex always used to say 'you only worry about Mosquito's in the cities because that's where you'll find the dirty water, it's the water in the Province that is clean'. I suppose there has to be some truth in that

[Doc Alan]

I can’t give individual advice or make diagnoses on this Forum, or anywhere else online.

If you wish more information than that already given, there are up to date links giving key facts on rabies here, and the hope for the future to eliminate human rabies altogether here.

[ssbib]

I can’t give individual advice or make diagnoses on this Forum, or anywhere else online.

If you wish more information than that already given, there are up to date links giving key facts on rabies here, and the hope for the future to eliminate human rabies altogether here.

Thanks Alan. You've offered a lot of help and advice and I'm very grateful.