20050514..May 14, 2005...Official Check in Disney's 1st 14 Day thru Panama Canal Part 2

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I know that with going to certain foreign countries, including Mexico, they tell you not to drink the local water. We are considering some of the excursions that include resorts with pools. If you have little preschool aged boys that will invariably fill their mouths with pool water to spit at their brother while their mother shrieks at them, what do you do? Is that water ok because it is chlorinated? :confused3 I'm guessing the pools won't be filled with Evian. :earseek:
 
3DAN said:
My concern is mainly over the malaria issue. There are a number of malaria prophylaxis drugs on the market. I, personally, am not too keen on taking them. Doxycycline seems to be the simplest one there, but it can cause significant sun sensitivity. You must also take the meds for about one month after the exposure to the affected area. The once a week meds seem the easiest, but in looking at the CDC website, there are two different recommendations for Panama. I was curious if anybody had checked with someone more familiar than me. Recently , a patient saw me that had taken one of the meds and he suffered nausea and significant dizziness. It passed without problem many days after returning home. Any comments?
Bill

I travel quite a bit for business and actually have a doc that specializes in travel vaccinations (yes, you can find everything in LA) Anyway, we occasionally have to do group shots and stuff for our crew before we head out on location. Usually he only reccomends malaria and other stuff if we are going really deep into the wilderness of the area or if you have a medical condition that may need extra protection or if the CDC has a new warning out. His opinion is that in urban areas and tourist areas it is really not necessary most of the time. At first I did everything because it freaked me out, but my last few visits to South Africa, Tanzania and Beijing, I passed. I do have a round of malaria (the 7-10 day kind) from a cancelled trip to Thailand, but I will most likely not take it. It makes me a bit queasy...not sick, just off. I heard about the dreams thing too, but I have taken about 5-6 rounds of malaria in the past 10 years and never had the dream thing...

However, my favorite remedy or precaution against mosquitos was learned from a bushman in Kenya...who said, that if you drink gin and tonic, that it is a great bug repellant because of the quinine in the tonic water, which is in your perspiration when you sweat (which we all do all of the time) and assists in repelling bugs (most notably the mosquitos) You dont really need the gin, but that and the limes sure make the tonic much more fun to drink!! I will say that in 4 weeks out in the bush in Africa I only had one tick and no mosquito bites. From that moment on, gin and tonic (xtra lime please) has been my drink of choice in questionable environments...however while on deck 9, it will probably be a margarita!! LOL!!

However, you can be safe rather than sorry and I am sure you could ask 10 doctors and get 10 different answers. This was just my info from the travel doc specialist that we use and a bit of bushman avice (who has not attended medical school)...

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!!

Michelle
 
Emily, I suspect that if the pool water is chlorinated, it is probably okay. It is the drinking water that is suspect. CDC had a statement that salt water is safer than fresh water, but didn't address the chlorinated issue. I' ll try to check on that also. Tomorrow, if I am able. If the pool isn't chlorinated, I would probably avoid it. You could start a thread and see if anyone has had a problem with that particular place.
Bill
 
DisneyPinDiva said:
Michelle Michelle....you could have added 6 posts to your count with those responses....


Oh, I wasnt done yet!.....I will probably have 6 soon enough. I will learn...
 

Thanks, Michelle. I am leaning your way. I will check with my I.D. friend and see what they say. Also, double check with the state.
Bill
 
epjenk said:
I know that with going to certain foreign countries, including Mexico, they tell you not to drink the local water.

I am not sure about the pool water question, but a warning that some may not think about...my practice is to usually only drink bottled water when out of the country. However when you guys are out and about, remember that ice is also made from the local water (as are other consumable things)... so stick to the bottled water and no ice.

A lesson I learned the hard way!!

Michelle
 
I remember the last time I checked on immunizations, the travel office recommended the Hep-A (I think?) and to make sure your tetunus was up to date. All kids under age 11 will already have the tetunus up to date. But, the HepA is not a required immunization for school. My kids (and I) have not had this. But, we will before we go.

I donated blood a couple of months ago. I asked about all our ports and the canal and what it did. The screener had a whole list of malaria-prone places that would excude you from donating. NONE of the places we are going will excude you from blood donation. Basically, he said all the normal 'touristy' and cruise ship stops are fine. But, he did check the list twice for me.
 
Bill, thanks! I will be interested in hearing what you learn. We've done a couple Disney cruises to Cozumel. Would going to Cozumel Mexico be any different than say Cabo or Mazatlan? I would think the answer to that is no. So, we never got shots to go there. Let us know when you can find out.

Robin
 
We have a friend who just did a 14 day Panama Canal cruise and they had no shots. Their ship stopped in Panama, too.

Just my 2 cents.
 
ARRRRRRRRGH, Laurie,,,,,, Wait a minute, that's Charlie Brown.......
ARRRRRRRRRR, Laurie,,,,,,, That's better, thanks for the two cents ya vixen.
Bill
 
Does anyone have any info on spa product prices? My mom wants to get some more stuff, and I thought I'd compare the online prices with shipping to what you spend on the ship.
 
Kevin&Randall said:
The way things have been going for us, we will be the very last group to get our documents. So far we have received -- nothing.

No shore excursions. No passport letter. No stateroom number.

I have this fear we won't get our stateroom number until we arrive at Port Canaveral. Who do I think will get their documents first -- Lynda and Cash (I'm a sucker for doggies! :love: ).

Randall


:earsboy:

As long as you don't get your stateroom assignment when you get to the port; The port of LA.

Hey I got my cococococonut from DCL. I was waiting for abox with a real one in it! :banana:

::MIckeyMo
 
krdisneybound said:
Lynda - A large wet dog in a large house is bad enough - I can just imagine in a small stateroom. I think we should all chip in and get 'cash' his own stateroom.............. :Pinkbounc

Who will volunteer to be my service dog for in-stateroom use?... I think, though, Cash would be really upset at the separation...He takes his job pretty seriously...wet OR dry... I guess it's sort of like a marriage...put up with the snoring for other benefits...
:cool1:
 
I have been trying to put together a little surprise for Andrea (my wife) for the cruise. We will be celebrating our 15th anniversary during the cruise. For the past several years we have been discussing how wonderful it would be to take a cruise for our 15th and renew our vows on the ship. Our original plan was to take the 7day because we never thought the 14 day would be a reality. Well... we booked the cruise in late December and I kept a low profile and hadn't mentioned the renewal since then, all the while quietly working on a plan and checking the disneywedding.com site.

To make a long story even longer, after several attempts to find out the info, I finally received word today that DCL will not perform any vow renewals or weddings during our or any west coast cruises.

It would have been the perfect touch to this cruise. ...and I would have pulled it off. :sad2:


::MickeyMo
 
Mickbee said:
To make a long story even longer, after several attempts to find out the info, I finally received word today that DCL will not perform any vow renewals or weddings during our or any west coast cruises.

It would have been the perfect touch to this cruise. ...and I would have pulled it off. :sad2:

Oh that figures. And stinks! :(

You have before you a internet community with a tremendous amount of creativity. Do we have to arrange this through DCL? Not necessarily.

Could you not do something, somewhere, with the help of people from Disboards? Anyone out there able to perform a ceremony? I know that a Notary Public in Florida can marry people. We could take over that aft varandah on deck 7. Or maybe "pop the question" during brunch at PALO and have someone available to do an on-the-spot renewal. :love2:

Of course, you've tipped your hand if your wife reads these boards.

Randall


:earsboy:
 
Kevin&Randall said:
Oh that figures. And stinks! :(

You have before you a internet community with a tremendous amount of creativity. Do we have to arrange this through DCL? Not necessarily.

Could you not do something, somewhere, with the help of people from Disboards? Anyone out there able to perform a ceremony? I know that a Notary Public in Florida can marry people. We could take over that aft varandah on deck 7. Or maybe "pop the question" during brunch at PALO and have someone available to do an on-the-spot renewal. :love2:

Of course, you've tipped your hand if your wife reads these boards.

Randall


:earsboy:

Randall,

Way to go....great idea!! So, what's the plan? Any pastors, ministers or justice of peace out there??
 
Here is the official word on the subject of shots:

Health Information for Travelers to Mexico and Central America


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Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

NOTE: Please check the Outbreaks section for important updates on these and other countries


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To find out about current U.S. Department of State travel warnings and public announcements, see http://travel.state.gov
Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the region and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. (See below.)

Malaria is a serious, but preventable infection that can be fatal. Your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including cities. Prevent this deadly disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites (see below).

Malaria risk exists in some parts of Mexico and Central America. Travelers to malaria-risk areas, including infants, children, and former residents of Mexico and Central America, should take an antimalarial drug.

Chloroquine is the recommended drug for Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and the Bocas Del Toro Province of Panama.



Travelers to Darién Province and San Blas Province in Panama (including the San Blas Islands) should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: (listed alphabetically): atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or primaquine (in special circumstances).



For additional information on malaria risk and prevention, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Central America and Mexico. See also Preventing Malaria in the Pregnant Woman (Information for the Public) and Preventing Malaria in Infants and Children (Information for the Public).

A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for entry into certain of these countries if you are traveling from a country in tropical South America or sub-Saharan Africa. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements. Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center.

Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites (see below) will help to prevent these diseases.

Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers, walk and drive defensively. Avoid nighttime travel if possible and always use seat belts.

CDC recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age):

See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for immunizations to take effect.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
Yellow fever for travelers to Panama who will be going outside urban areas.
As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
To stay healthy, do...

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an “absolute 1-micron or less” filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. “Absolute 1-micron filters” are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
If you will be visiting an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your doctor for a prescription.)
Protect yourself from mosquito bites:
Pay special attention to mosquito protection between dusk and dawn. This is when the type of mosquito whose bite transmits malaria is active.
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
Use insect repellents that contain DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide).
Read and follow the directions and precautions on the product label.
Apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
Do not put repellent on wounds or broken skin.
Do not breathe in, swallow, or get into the eyes (DEET is toxic if swallowed). If using a spray product, apply DEET to your face by spraying your hands and rubbing the product carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and mouth.
Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing, purchase a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin or deltamethrin. Or, spray the bed net with one of these insecticides if you are unable to find a pretreated bed net.
DEET may be used on adults, children, and infants older than 2 months of age. Protect infants by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit.
Children under 10 years old should not apply insect repellent themselves. Do not apply to young children’s hands or around eyes and mouth.
For details on how to protect yourself from insects and how to use repellents, see Protection against Mosquitoes and Other Arthropods.
If you are visiting friends and relatives in your home country in areas where malaria occurs, please read the malaria prevention recommendations for recent immigrants on the CDC malaria site.
To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
To avoid getting sick...

Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Don’t drink beverages with ice.
Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Don’t share needles with anyone.
Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). (For more information, please see Animal-Associated Hazards.)
Don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Precautions.)
What you need to bring with you:

Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis).
Insect repellent containing DEET.
Bed nets impregnated with permethrin. (Can be purchased in camping or military supply stores. Overseas, permethrin or another insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased to treat bed nets and clothes.)
Flying-insect spray or mosquito coils to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes.
Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine to take if you have diarrhea.
Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Do’s above for more details about water filters.
Sunblock, sunglasses, hat.
Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s).
After you return home:

If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine) or seven days (atovaquone/proguanil) after leaving the risk area.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history.

For more information:

Ask your doctor or check the CDC web sites for more information about how to protect yourself against diseases that occur in Mexico and Central America, including the following:

Diseases carried by insects

Dengue
Malaria
- Frequently asked questions
- Prescription drugs
Diseases carried in food or water

Escherichia coli diarrhea
Hepatitis A
Typhoid fever
Diseases from person-to-person contact

Hepatitis B
HIV/AIDS
- Prevention
- HIV-infected travelers


For more information about these and other diseases, please check the Diseases page and CDC Health Topics A–Z.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This document is not a complete medical guide for travelers to this region. Consult with your doctor for specific information related to your needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for pregnant women, young children, and persons who have chronic medical conditions. In addition, you may also check the following CDC sites:

Malaria: Frequently Asked Questions
Preventing Malaria in the Pregnant Woman (Information for the Public)
Preventing Malaria in the Pregnant Woman (Information for Health Care Providers)
Preventing Malaria in Infants and Children (Information for the Public)
Preventing Malaria in Infants and Children (Information for Health Care Providers)
Prescription Drugs for Preventing Malaria (Information for the Public)
Prescription Drugs for Preventing Malaria (Information for Health Care Providers)
Vaccine Recommendations for Infants and Children
Food and Water Precautions and Travelers' Diarrhea Prevention
Be sure to read the information about all the regions you are planning to visit.
 
Ok, change of subject...Boy, do I feel rediculous!...
I asked this question months ago, it seems, and got some replies, thank you all, and now, as we are a larger group, I'll ask again...*How many little Princesses out there are Ariel fans? Feel free to repeat, if you responded before in case I fall into the same category as DPD Leslie...lists?... I doan need no .......... :grouphug:
 
NEM said:
I am not sure about the pool water question, but a warning that some may not think about...my practice is to usually only drink bottled water when out of the country. However when you guys are out and about, remember that ice is also made from the local water (as are other consumable things)... so stick to the bottled water and no ice.

A lesson I learned the hard way!!

Michelle


and stay away from fresh fruits and veggies, like lettuce, that might have been washed in local water...My brother learned THAT lesson... :rolleyes:
 
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