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Ask The Travel Doctor-TMVC

Q: We are travelling overland through Egypt, Jordan and Morocco leaving in 2 weeks time for a couple of months. This includes some trekking in remote areas. It has been recommended that I get the Cholera vaccine (not specifically for Cholera) but as a good anti-diarrhoea preventative.
Do you agree with this recommendation?

Andrew

 

A:  A significant proportion of travellers diarrhoea (TD) is caused by the entero-toxic E coli bacteria, (ETEC). Because the cholera germ and the ETEC germ share the same toxin, the vaccine has an effect of providing some immunity against ETEC. This effect of protection against ETEC is partial, and temporary, lasting for about 3 months. It obviously is most effective in areas where ETEC is common, including where you are going. Overall the cholera vaccine can reduce the risk of TD by about 20%, so not every traveller will want to pay for the vaccine, but it may be very important for those people who are very prone to tummy problems, those whose immunity is low for other reasons, or simply for those folks who want every bit of protection against such a common and nuisance problem. You will still need to take a medical kit to treat the TD if it occurs.

 

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