24.Travel Tips Health Immunizations
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Travel Tips
Health
Immunizations
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC)
recommends that people visiting a major city in China like Beijing have
hepatitis A and B vaccinations. If you are also traveling to rural areas
the CDC also recommends being vaccinated for: Japanese encepahlitis,
malaria, rabies, typhoid and getting boosters for tetanus, diphtheria
and measles if needed. These vaccinations are recommended, but not
required. You should discuss your specific health needs with your
physician before departure.
China does not require proof of
vaccinations for entry to the country. People who have various
communicable diseases such as AIDS, syphilis, tuberculosis and leprosy
or some mental disorders may not be allowed to enter China.
Hygiene
Because the hygiene of workers handling
food is not always perfect, the US Center for Disease Control recommends
travelers to China get hepatitis A and B vaccinations.
During the Summer Olympics in 2008,
Beijing cracked down on hygiene issues, banning spitting, and
discouraging public smoking. Taxi drivers were barred from smoking in
their vehicles. The Beijing Health Bureau also sent multitudes of food
inspectors to restaurants and food outlets in unscheduled visits to rate
their hygiene and food handling safety from A (excellent) to D (not
qualified), those getting Ds had to improve their standards or face
being shut down. Since the Olympics the vigilance on these issues has
relaxed.
Emergency Medical Service
Ambulances in China do not carry the same
equipment that is required in the US. Many times if you are injured and
need to get to a hospital you have to take a taxi. SOS International.
Ltd. has a medical facility in Beijing that operates 24 hours a day and
offers emergency medical services and regular doctors services.
Medical Facilities
Many hospitals in China do not accept
medical insurance from the US. There are BlueCross BlueShield providers
at the following hospitals:
- Beijing United Family Hospital
- Beijing Friendship Hospital
- International Medical Center in Beijing
- Peking Union Medical Center
These hospitals often have a VIP ward
where the doctors and nurses speak English and they have modern and
state of the art equipment. Foreigners re often required to post a
deposit before being seen by a physician, many hospitals and medical
clinics accept credit cards.
Medications
Many medications that are commonly
prescribed in the US are not available in China. Bring enough medication
with you to last your trip with extra in case of a delay in getting
home. Take a copy of your written prescription to show that they are for
your personal use. Some other medications, such as antibiotics, that
would be by prescription in North America may be available over the
counter in China. Medications in China with the same name as those in
western countries may not have the same ingredients.
Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a
form of medical care that has been used in China and other parts of Asia
for 5,000 years and is still widely used and respected today.
Practitioners refer to the meridians of the body: interconnected
channels of energy or “qi”, and use a variety of approaches to correct
imbalances in the energy flow. TCM includes herbal medicine, acupuncture
and acupressure, dietary therapy, Shiatsu massage and Qigong. TCM is
becoming increasingly popular in western countries especially for
treating chronic conditions and allergies or for avoiding the side
affects that can occur with some western pharmaceutical medicines and
treatments.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum
at Beijing University is a good place to learn more about the history
and practices of TCM.
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