Vaccunes

Although I appreciate the protective nature of vaccines, my body is taking a beating. Before I came I read the WHO information for Honduras and it said there were no required vaccines to go to Honduras. I thought this meant we wouldn’t have to get any, but what I think it actually means is that there are no vaccines that you must have to enter the country. So, although they are not required, the Peace Corps is pumping us full. In all I will receive Teatnus-diptheria, Polio, Hepatitis A (I already heave HepB), Typhoid, Rabies and Influenza.

In addition I am on my second week on Malaria prophylaxis. We take 500 mg of Aralen (chloroquine) per week. Honduras is one of the few countries in which chloroquine is still effective. Previously I was under the impression that malaria prophylaxis prevented contracting malaria. Apparently this is not the case, it only reduces the severity of symptoms if we do happen to get Malaria. Hmmm…Therefore we are also given mosquito nets to put over our beds. My host family says I am like a baby, because the only people in Honduras who use mosquito nets are babies and the old people.

So far my dreams have been vivid but not out of the ordinary. It feels as if I am less asleep because I am taking part in my dreams and have to think/feel, so it is a little obnoxious. If you haven’t heard the horror stories of taking malaria prophylaxis they include vivid dreams and sometimes hallucinations and severe depression…hopefully I can avoid those.