Travel Clinic

Thursday I headed home to spend time with the 'rents and have my appointment at the travel clinic. My physician gave me lots of great advice and new things to think about. Although I was informed I should not drink the water in Ethiopia, I did not even consider not using the water to brush my teeth. After lots of questions, a brief overview of travel recommendations, and stories of his days studying at an international school in India I left with three bandaids on my arms: yellow fever, hepatitis A, and polio. When I return on August 17, I will be receiving tetanus and meningitis. I will also get the oral prescription for typhoid and prescriptions for Cipro and Malarone.

Decision-making for rabies vaccine, typhoid vaccine, and anti-malarial medications:

The rabies vaccine was not recommended by my physician. He basically told me rabies wouldn't be an issue and if I get bit by something, go to the hospital. Also, after looking at the information from the Ohio Department of Health, it says that even if you're immunized, you'd still have to get shots after a bite - so why am I going to pay now if I'm just going to have to do it again later? The only way in which it would be a major concern is if I had a facial wound. In that case I would need to seek immediate attention and maybe even be flown out of the country. But what are the chances of that?

The vaccine for typhoid can be taken either through injection or orally. The oral vaccine lasts up to five years and is taken in four doses, one every other day. The injection only lasts two to three years. I opted for the less-painful, longer-lasting method.

Anti-malarial medication. Oh boy. It's difficult not knowing exactly what you will be doing for the next year. Malaria is not an issue in Addis because the elevation is so high (~7700 ft); only if I travel below 6500 feet will I need to worry about malaria. But how am I going to know how low I'm getting when I travel outside of the city? I won't. Therefore, better to be safe than sorry! There are three medications that are recommended to protect against malaria in this area: mefloquine (Lariam), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone). From what my physician explained: Lariam is taken once a week, but can have some nasty side effects like hallucinations and depression. Definitely what I need while I'm in a foreign country, missing my family and friends. Doxycycline is taken daily during the time exposed to malaria and then daily for four weeks after returning. Malarone is taken daily during the time exposed and then daily for only one week after returning. Doxycycline has an 85% success rate; Malarone has a 95% success rate. One would think Malarone is the better option, but if you're tight on money doxycycline might be the route you'd want to take.

However, since I do not know when I will be leaving the city, I would much rather pay the extra in order to not take as much medication. Let's say I only leave Addis once a month. By taking doxycycline, I would be taking medication the entire time I am abroad. On the other hand, by taking Malarone I would only be taking medication 10 days a month. I think I'm going to go for the Malarone.

On Missing Friends and Family:

After my adventures at the travel clinic, my mom and I headed to an old friend's going-away party. It was so nice to spend time with Asiyih and the loving Baha'is from our community. While we grew apart over the past few years, I reconnected with her after walking at graduation. I have come to appreciate her beautiful spirit even more than I already did, and I am going to miss her greatly. It would be one thing if she were moving to Vancouver and I would still be able to call her or chat with her but I, too, am moving away - across the Atlantic Ocean. When my mom and I left the party, I cried the first ten minutes home. I did not get to tell her how much I look up to her and that I hope to keep in touch even from overseas.

This whole experience made me realize how much I will miss my friends and family while abroad. I mean, I knew it would be difficult and I would feel lonely, but those feelings are already bubbling up! I already miss my little sisters so very much, and they are only a phone call or text message away. My parents, while sometimes we butt heads, have always been supportive and I will miss my mother's shoulder to cry on when things get rough. I lived away from home for four years of college, but it will be a very different feeling this year. How will it feel? I do not actually know. Only time will tell.