Health concerns in China

[jm21-2]

So I just got the recommended shots/vaccines for traveling to China. They also suggested getting some medication for Malaria to take starting before the trip and throughout the trip. That seems a little overboard to me, but I was wondering what everyone else thought.

I assume the normal try to drink bottled water, don't eat anything that looks too nasty, don't eat the dirt, etc. apply but any other tips are welcome.

Don't really want to spend another $100+ for medication that I don't really need :/. Between the passport, visa, and vaccines I've already spent quite a bit...

[Capstone]

I can just tell you that based on my personal experiences that none of that is needed. I have never had any vaccinations before traveling to China and never will. I have eaten and drank anything and everything that was offered to me (some of which was pretty dang funky) and have never experienced any ill effects. Although I must say that I only drink bottled water but that is true no matter where I am - even in the US.

With that being said I would certainly air on the side of caution and pack some immodium, aspirin, tums etc just in case you need it.

[jm21-2]

Well, I figured the vaccines weren't a bad idea anyway. But the whole malaria thing seemed a bit over-the-top.

As a side question, is it generally possible to buy plug adapters at the airport or a local electronics store?

I looked up some pictures and recipes for Shandoing style cuisine and it looks real tasty. I guess there's a lot of Korean food there too which I really like. I'm sure there will be a few odd dishes to add some spice, haha.

[GatoAzul]

The old saying : "better safe than sorry"

[Capstone]

As a side question, is it generally possible to buy plug adapters at the airport or a local electronics store?

Yes, you can pick those things up most anywhere, including Target & Walmart. Don't buy them at the airport though because they will be way over priced. Also just remember that those are just adapters and not transformers - so be sure that whatever you are going to plug into them are rated at 240V for the input. Most laptop adapters and cell phone chargers now days are rated 100-240V, so you can use them anywhere but most everything else will fry if you try to plug them into a 240 socket with just an adapter.

[bcc_1_2]

It sounds like you are going to a city between Shangai and Beijing  in Northeast China right? You get malaria from mesquito bites in the subtropics and tropics. Doesn't sound like you need to get it. I've just always used bug stray in latin america and wore lightweight pants and even lightweight long sleeve shirts because the bugs all seem to like me.

[jm21-2]

Yeah, Qingdao and some other spots in Shandong province. It's northeast china but not the far northeast.

I guess there are different types of malaria? It's definitely not the tropics...i think more similar in latitude/climate to san francisco.

I think I'll probably skip the pills. My understanding was the mosqitioes really like the rice paddies so if you go out in very rural areas you need to be careful of them. The only rural areas I'm going to will be some of the historic sites like the shrine to confucius and mount taishan. Not exactly sure though. I've shot off some ideas of places I'd like to visit and things I'd like to do to her and she seems to be making a pretty detailed itinerary.

[bcc_1_2]

Yeah, Qingdao and some other spots in Shandong province. It's northeast china but not the far northeast.

I guess there are different types of malaria? It's definitely not the tropics...i think more similar in latitude/climate to san francisco.

I think I'll probably skip the pills. My understanding was the mosqitioes really like the rice paddies so if you go out in very rural areas you need to be careful of them. The only rural areas I'm going to will be some of the historic sites like the shrine to confucius and mount taishan. Not exactly sure though. I've shot off some ideas of places I'd like to visit and things I'd like to do to her and she seems to be making a pretty detailed itinerary.

Ah maybe that's it. Ya just dont deal with rice farms in latin america. Did you meet her on a dating site or social networking site?

[bcc_1_2]

double post.

[jm21-2]

Ah maybe that's it. Ya just dont deal with rice farms in latin america. Did you meet her on a dating site or social networking site?

We just randomly bumped into each other on skype. She was bored at work and messaged me looking for someone to chat with and pass the time, and probably english practice too. Just sit on Skype or QQ and you'll get Chinese girls and guys messaging you.

[Jeff S]

I've never gotten sick traveling in Asia... Europe or Latin America either. I did have one nasty case of something in Sioux City Iowa once, though. It wasn't anything that a few Black Labels couldn't take care of though.

I've drank tap water in China, also, sterilized with ethanol, of course, and it was pretty nasty tasting, so I've only drank bottled water since, and all has been well.

Don't turn up your nose at the nasty looking stuff. It's often the best tasting.

Sounds like you have some pre-travel apprehension. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy yourself. It's an adventure you'll not ever forget. I can think back over more than 35 years of travel to Asia and never remember anything that was even remotely unpleasant - occasionally uncomfortable, but always fun and interesting.

[Capstone]

The CDC really goes overboard with its recommended vaccinations, etc. I remember the first time that I ever traveled to Japan the CDC was still recommending that travelers get vaccinated for typhoid which was absolutely insane since typhoid had been totally eliminated from Japan by then.

The CDC currently recommends travelers get vaccinated for Hepatitis B prior to traveling to either China or Japan which is beyond ridiculous - unless of course you plan on whoring around with local prostitutes, using IV drugs or messing around with blood products.

[jm21-2]

Ya, they gave me the Hep. A and Typhoid vaccine.

I hadn't even thought about all the vaccines and stuff but my dad is a director of health services and made a big deal out of it so I went in and got it and they ran a parade of horribles.

[piglett]

I did have one nasty case of something in Sioux City Iowa once, though. It wasn't anything that a few Black Labels couldn't take care of though.

You need to make sure that you always use protection when "interacting" with all the good looking Indian ladies in Sioux city. I know most of them are quite attracted to white guys but you still have to take the appropriate precautions 

piglett

[Dave H]

Also just remember that those are just adapters and not transformers - so be sure that whatever you are going to plug into them are rated at 240V for the input. Most laptop adapters and cell phone chargers now days are rated 100-240V, so you can use them anywhere but most everything else will fry if you try to plug them into a 240 socket with just an adapter.

Hey Capstone,

Very good points! My video camera, digital camera, mp3 player, electric razor, and travel iron are also rated 100-240.

For the average traveler, most small transformers and adapters purchased in US (probably made in China) would probably meet their needs. I couldn't find the transformers in US chain stores to handle my high watt needs as a Philippine immigrant (for my vast collection of appliances, tools, gadgets, lighting, electronics, & electric chair) . I found larger (1000 watts) transformers readily available in many Philippine stores. Although probably not needed by the average traveler, I would think China would also have large watt transformers...although perhaps more readily available in the larger cities where there are more foreign tourists.

Dave

[stevjulietb]

DaveH,

What you are trying to tell us is; you're getting "wired" in the PI.  Do you have my email address?

Steveb

[Jeff S]

Come to think of it, I never worried about plugging anything in in Japan or China either. I don't bring anything like electric razors or clothes irons, but I've just plugged computers and cell phones into the walls without a thought and not worried about it. Things with motors and heating elements that are designed to operate off AC would be a problem, but things that recharge batteries with low voltage DC adapters - nothing to be afraid of. These days nearly everything including things like razors and such, use rechargeable batteries instead of AC power. Anyone care to venture a guess why? (Hint: The answer is regulatory rather than technical.)

When my wife moved here and brought things like hair dryers and curling irons, she brought a transformer (it's only 100V in Japan, not 115) but knew not to bring things like TVs and radios - the frequency bands are different. The guy traveler though, packing a laptop, mp3 player, and renting or butying a prepaid phone when he arrives, (yours will not work unless it's an unlocked GSM and you buy a local prepaid SIM card) has nothing to worry about.

If you travel to China a lot, consider buying a Chinese iPhone knockoff with twin SIM cards. You can put a Chinese SIM card in it and your local one, and it'll self detect where you are and use the appropriate card. They're under $100 when you arrive. Then, if you head to Vietnam, Belgium, or Ghana, you can swap out the Chinese card for a local one when you arrive and have as many GSM numbers as you wish by changing foreign cards, while keeping your US number loaded when you step off the plane.

[jm21-2]

Yeah, I just needed something to recharge the cell phone. Debating about whether to bring the laptop or not. I've got all the instructions for completing the unlock of my phone and was just going to rent or buy a sim card in China. It's a smartphone and not the best at sending e-mail due to the touch screen (LG Incite) but it works. I'm not sure I'd use my laptop much.

If things go well, I may hold off on the mortgage and just blow my money on traveling the next year or two.

[bcc_1_2]

I'm sure you'll have a great time on your trip. One reason I could see a use for the laptop (or some computer access in general) is if you need to make some backup plans.

Hope the last line is a joke man pay your bills. If you find someone you really like I'll tell you it does change your lifestyle a little. I haven't changed my spending habits to much, but I am cognizant that these trips to Honduras (or China for you) cost money. And if you really want to get to know someone you really have to travel back and forth a lot.

It costs me between $325 and $450 (total) to fly and $50 to $70 a night for lodging. So even a short 7 night stay costs between $675 and and $940. Then whatever you spend locally. For you it has got to be more, so I'd be prepared man.

[Jeff S]

When abroad, my laptop gets used for, in order of importance, skype for staying in-touch with friends and family, running my online business, e-mail, and of course checking in here, posting and moderating this and another site I mod for. As bcc said, making backup plans is a possibility - plus checking on flight info, travel plans, looking for restaurant reviews, tourist info, and other things. I consider it indispensable these days.

[jm21-2]

Nah, I don't mean skipping mortgage payments, haha. I meant I was thinking about taking out a mortgage for a house and I might just keep renting the shanty I've been living in instead. Houses here are pretty expensive...weren't hit very much by the downturn at all.

So far the ticket I bought is the cheapest I've found from Seattle to Qingdao, $926 total after taxes/fees, which I think is probably cheaper than going Seattle to Beijing/Shanghai then Chinese airline to Qingdao. Sounds like the hotels will be under $30 per night though. For this trip I expedited all the passport/visa stuff and paid for 2 vaccines, which was quite a bit of money that I won't have to spend next time. Still, probably $1,500 per trip and I'll lose probably $1,500 in potential income.

I was thinking I could use my phone for internet browsing, backup plans, and all that. It's kind of a pain to type on but it can do anything my laptop can. I was planning on staying in Chinese hotels, some a bit out in the boonies, so I was figuring there may not be internet connections there for my laptop while my phoen may still get enough reception to browse the net.

Sometimes I wonder whether I should be looking for marriage or just go to the erotic massage parlors, haha. Dealing with divorces on a daily basis is making me less inclined towards marriage....constantly see the guy who put family first, worked his butt off so the wife could stay home, trying to provide for the family's future...get absolutely [snip]ed in divorce. The wife takes half his stuff, gets spousal support, gets the kids, gets child support...that's a real kick in the balls.

[Capstone]

I used to take my laptop on all my personal trips but gave it up due to the hassle of lugging it around and worrying about it getting stolen, etc. Now whenever I travel for personal reasons, be it to China or anywhere else, I always stay in a hotel which has loaner laptops, PCs in the rooms or a business center with PCs so that I can still easily stay connected to the outside world.

[Capstone]

Sometimes I wonder whether I should be looking for marriage or just go to the erotic massage parlors, haha. Dealing with divorces on a daily basis is making me less inclined towards marriage....constantly see the guy who put family first, worked his butt off so the wife could stay home, trying to provide for the family's future...get absolutely [snip]ed in divorce. The wife takes half his stuff, gets spousal support, gets the kids, gets child support...that's a real kick in the balls.

That is why God created the Pre-Nup. LOL!!

[jm21-2]

That is why God created the Pre-Nup. LOL!!

A pre-nup for a young couple that will likely have rapidly changing finances is not a sure thing here in WA. I'm learning towards some sort of "marriage planning." Like, buy a house and boat on loan before marriage and say the title was yours before marriage so they're not community property. Making sure she works at least part time is probably a good idea too. Don't save too much the first few years of marriage. I dunno, it all seems pretty nonsensical to me. The bum who doesn't work and leeches off the woman gets off way better than the guy who provides for the family and saves. Maybe after women start getting hit up for spousal support and the bum husband takes the kids we'll see some changes in the law.

[Jeff S]

You are making a mistake assigning typical "gimme right now" AW traits to traditional Asian women. The biggest cultural difference I've found is that Asians are in things for the long haul - knowing that things worth having are worth being patient and working hard for. It doesn't matter if she's from a farm or the city, few Asian kids get doted on or have their every whim catered to, like most American girls.

Anyway. you're still young, have lots of time and can be patient until the right situation comes along - and you'll know when it's right. I'd look at the trip as more of an exploratory adventure than a serious wife hunt, and you'll do fine. There's another advantage of Asians, you don't risk them running off with the next good looking guy who happens along if you aren't there every few weeks - see my first paragraph for why.