It didn't dawn on me until fairly recently that the medical costs of getting ready for Kili are substantial. It pales compared to the trek cost, the safari and even the cheapo coach airfare, nevertheless it was more than I expected. Especially when you have a high-deductible health plan.
The shots aren't necessarily cheap. Twinrix will probably run $300-400 by the time I'm done with it. Meningitis was $130. (And I still have a bruise from that one.) Oral typhoid was $90 (or $22.50/dose). If I had gotten it, yellow fever would've been $180. H1N1 flu was a bargain at $15.
The pills can be pricey too - and on my insurance I'm paying for these out of pocket. Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Diamox (acetazolamide) and Ambien (zolpidem) are available as generics (yaay!) and the most expensive of those was just over $30. Target practically gives away Cipro (just $4 for 18 pills). As for Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) ... no generics there. $193.07 - and that's the one that doesn't make you crazy. At that price I'd take it even if I didn't really need to. Funny how the one I really hope I don't use is the cheapest.
So my travel-related preventative medical care will cost around $1000. Insurance is picking up a lot of it, since the shots are much cheaper than the disease. Nevertheless, international travel can cost more than you think.
Showing posts with label shots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shots. Show all posts
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Oh the Pain...
Went to travel clinic for some more shots. It was painful... and that was just the @#$%! hour-long wait.
- Yellow fever - nah! you don't really need it.
- Meningitis - ow
- H1N1 flu - ow
- Polio - mmm, ow?
- Typhoid - gulp
- Written cipro scrip - $12? oy! wtf?
- Malarone pills - $197.20 (@#$%*&@%^!! ... but better than malaria!)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Shot In the Arm
Africa is home to many wonderful living things, and many that are not so wonderful. Some are a bit contagious and potentially lethal.
The CDC's Traveler's Health page for Tanzania reads like a hypochondriac's horror novel. Dengue fever, malaria, Plague (laying waste to humanity since 1347 ... and possibly longer), Schistosomiasis, African trypanosomiasis ... and many of these maladies don't have a vaccine. It's enough to make you want to stay home.
Many thousands of non-refundable dollars say I'm still going, so I'm getting a few more shots. The CDC suggests the following:
Sounds delightful, no? I have to go to a travel clinic for typhoid and yellow fever, but my doctor was more than happy to start me on the Hep A/B series. Yes, I said series. It unfortunately is not a one-shot deal. Most of the others aren't either.
The first one hurt. @#$%! My arm's still a bit sore two days later. And in two weeks I get to relive the agony.
The CDC's Traveler's Health page for Tanzania reads like a hypochondriac's horror novel. Dengue fever, malaria, Plague (laying waste to humanity since 1347 ... and possibly longer), Schistosomiasis, African trypanosomiasis ... and many of these maladies don't have a vaccine. It's enough to make you want to stay home.
Many thousands of non-refundable dollars say I'm still going, so I'm getting a few more shots. The CDC suggests the following:
- Yellow Fever
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Rabies (I'll pass on this one and just promise not to pet any critters)
- Polio (All those shots for school paid off)
Sounds delightful, no? I have to go to a travel clinic for typhoid and yellow fever, but my doctor was more than happy to start me on the Hep A/B series. Yes, I said series. It unfortunately is not a one-shot deal. Most of the others aren't either.
The first one hurt. @#$%! My arm's still a bit sore two days later. And in two weeks I get to relive the agony.
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