What the heck? so much medication?

sillynut

We are going to Domincan Republic for our honeymoon. FI was at the doctors and seen a sign about leaving the country, etc. so he asked his doctor. The doc said he needs 1 needle now, 1 a week before we leave, and to take some certain medication for diareah a few days before we go & during our trip, also for a week once we return.My friend went to Mexico and never got any of this. No needles, nothing.Is this normal? Does anyone know? My FI is feeling really shiaty right now due to the needle (flu symptoms) and Im really not wanting to go down that road if I dont have to.I also dont want to get Malaria I guess. Im just wondering if this is normal or not.

nda_roxybabe

seen a sign Most aggravating grammer error.

lyndausvi

Umm... I have friends who go over to the DR all the time and they do no have to get meds. 

becs11048

I've been to the Dominican Republic and didn't have to get any vaccinations/medications  

fangsiting

I went to DR two years ago and didn't get any shots or take any medicine.  Although, we probably should have since we both got violently ill after having dunkin donuts at the Boston airport on our way back. 

sillynut

I'm from Canada. Shiatt should that matter?Man, not to mention what he paid for all that stuff, almost $300 CDNI was like huh? are you serious.

AnneAndJJ

I think it's (and by it's, I mean the vaccines) actually a fairly common practice. The thing is, most people don't bother going to the doctor to ask. The diarrhea pill is fairly new I think though.

bel138

My friends went there to do a medical mission trip. They did all the malaria prophylaxis. But it could have been since they knew they were going to be treating some people who were very sick.

Bubbalub

I've never been to the DR but I've been to Mexico several times and never had to take meds or get vaccines. I know doctors recommend getting the Hepatitis A vaccine for people who travel, though. Hep A is the one that you can get from eating contaminated food. The anti-diarrhea meds are probably preventative only. Do they have amoeba in the water in the DR the same way they are present in Mexico? Regardless, that sounds excessive. As for Malaria, I doubt that is a real concern in the Dominican Republic.

bel138

Well, here's what the U.S. says. I'm sure your government has an equivalent site. They do recommend malaria vaccines for most of the island.http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/dominican-republic.aspx

sillynut

FI doctor said thats why we should get it, because they have high cases of Malaria over there. I can see the diareah stuff being optional, Ill take that no problem, its more the needles I was concerned with & wasn't sure if thats normal procedure or not.I hate needles. I just had 2 moles removed Tuesday & I almost passed out when they stuck the needle right into the damn mole before they cut it off....But my shoulder is now very pretty for my strapless wedding dress, no hangin mole

tlv204

I went there for our honeymoon and we didn't get anything beforehand.  We were fine.  Our resort sprayed hard core for bugs (I literally didn't see a single mosquito the whole time we were there) and just be careful what you eat, particularly outside of resorts. However, I went to Belize several years ago and got most of that stuff, but it's because we werent' in a resort of any kind, we stayed in small towns and hiked in rain forests and such.

sillynut

Thanks ladies! Ill check on the oral medicine & see what the doc says. Ive heard reviews on trip advisor warning of some mosquitos as well. Ahhh dont want to get sick.

chosen175

The only shots we got were tetanus boosters. My doc said it all depended on where you were staying (ie a resort that sprayed for bugs, purified water, etc) or a local hotel off the beaten path that might not take such precautions. GL!