Japanese encephalitis?, meningitis, lyme disease (caused by tick bites) have been reported as on an uprising trend in Switzerland according to one of the Swiss newspapers. Would anyone be able to advise whether:
1) we are safe in Geneva if we go for walks in the meadows, forests, nearby mountains? are these diseases restricted to only certain parts of Switzerland?
2) whether it is one vaccination for all three; or it is 3 different types of vaccines?
3) can any GP administer the vaccine or there is a vaccination centre in Geneva where one has to go to?
4) which organisation to check with? WHO?
When I ask the Swiss, they always tell me "don't worry" ... not only on this but to everything. The Swiss are very contented and secure people. I'd like to get other foreigners viewpoints.
Thanks a lot to doctors and other health workers as I think you'd be the ones able to give a reply.
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Swiss diseases
Feb 21, 2007 @ 11:38
The text you are quoting:
Japanese encephalitis?, meningitis, lyme disease (caused by tick bites) have been reported as on an uprising trend in Switzerland according to one of the Swiss newspapers. Would anyone be able to advise whether:
1) we are safe in Geneva if we go for walks in the meadows, forests, nearby mountains? are these diseases restricted to only certain parts of Switzerland?
2) whether it is one vaccination for all three; or it is 3 different types of vaccines?
3) can any GP administer the vaccine or there is a vaccination centre in Geneva where one has to go to?
4) which organisation to check with? WHO?
When I ask the Swiss, they always tell me "don't worry" ... not only on this but to everything. The Swiss are very contented and secure people. I'd like to get other foreigners viewpoints.
Thanks a lot to doctors and other health workers as I think you'd be the ones able to give a reply.
springdayFeb 21, 2007 @ 11:38
1) we are safe in Geneva if we go for walks in the meadows, forests, nearby mountains? are these diseases restricted to only certain parts of Switzerland?
2) whether it is one vaccination for all three; or it is 3 different types of vaccines?
3) can any GP administer the vaccine or there is a vaccination centre in Geneva where one has to go to?
4) which organisation to check with? WHO?
When I ask the Swiss, they always tell me "don't worry" ... not only on this but to everything. The Swiss are very contented and secure people. I'd like to get other foreigners viewpoints.
Thanks a lot to doctors and other health workers as I think you'd be the ones able to give a reply.
springdayFeb 21, 2007 @ 11:38
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Re: Swiss diseases
Post 1
Feb 21, 2007 @ 15:09
I'm not an infectious diseases specialist but can answer your questions I guess....
In Switzerland there are mainly two diseases transmitted by ticks:
1) Lyme disease: unfortunately quite common in the Jura regions, so you can get it especially during walks in the woods. No vaccine available but treatable with antibiotics (the sooner the better). Try to protect yourself against ticks (wear long sleeves and trousers, socks) and check your body for ticks after your walk. Lyme disease is transmitted after about 48 hours only (but ticks may be very small and you might miss them). Go to see a doctor if you notice a growing red spot with a clear center on your skin, or if you have symptoms of flu and joint pain.
2) Tick encephalitis (usually called encephalite verno-estivale or FSME) is also common in Switzerland although more common in the eastern part until now, but getting more frequent in the Jura region. There's a vaccine that you should get if you go for walks in the woods often - you shoud be able to get it at your GP's (I think you have to pay it yourself - not entirely sure though). No treatment for this disease once you get it, can be anything from benign to severe. Encephalitis symptoms are not very specific (headache, fever, drowsiness, confusion). Again, protect yourself from ticks.
Remember that ticks don't survive above 1000 metres, so go up high!
Not sure about Japanese encephalitis but I'll check.
Hope this helps!
Dr Eva
In Switzerland there are mainly two diseases transmitted by ticks:
1) Lyme disease: unfortunately quite common in the Jura regions, so you can get it especially during walks in the woods. No vaccine available but treatable with antibiotics (the sooner the better). Try to protect yourself against ticks (wear long sleeves and trousers, socks) and check your body for ticks after your walk. Lyme disease is transmitted after about 48 hours only (but ticks may be very small and you might miss them). Go to see a doctor if you notice a growing red spot with a clear center on your skin, or if you have symptoms of flu and joint pain.
2) Tick encephalitis (usually called encephalite verno-estivale or FSME) is also common in Switzerland although more common in the eastern part until now, but getting more frequent in the Jura region. There's a vaccine that you should get if you go for walks in the woods often - you shoud be able to get it at your GP's (I think you have to pay it yourself - not entirely sure though). No treatment for this disease once you get it, can be anything from benign to severe. Encephalitis symptoms are not very specific (headache, fever, drowsiness, confusion). Again, protect yourself from ticks.
Remember that ticks don't survive above 1000 metres, so go up high!
Not sure about Japanese encephalitis but I'll check.
Hope this helps!
Dr Eva
The text you are quoting:
I'm not an infectious diseases specialist but can answer your questions I guess....
In Switzerland there are mainly two diseases transmitted by ticks:
1) Lyme disease: unfortunately quite common in the Jura regions, so you can get it especially during walks in the woods. No vaccine available but treatable with antibiotics (the sooner the better). Try to protect yourself against ticks (wear long sleeves and trousers, socks) and check your body for ticks after your walk. Lyme disease is transmitted after about 48 hours only (but ticks may be very small and you might miss them). Go to see a doctor if you notice a growing red spot with a clear center on your skin, or if you have symptoms of flu and joint pain.
2) Tick encephalitis (usually called encephalite verno-estivale or FSME) is also common in Switzerland although more common in the eastern part until now, but getting more frequent in the Jura region. There's a vaccine that you should get if you go for walks in the woods often - you shoud be able to get it at your GP's (I think you have to pay it yourself - not entirely sure though). No treatment for this disease once you get it, can be anything from benign to severe. Encephalitis symptoms are not very specific (headache, fever, drowsiness, confusion). Again, protect yourself from ticks.
Remember that ticks don't survive above 1000 metres, so go up high!
Not sure about Japanese encephalitis but I'll check.
Hope this helps!
Dr Eva
eva77, Feb 21, 2007 @ 15:09
In Switzerland there are mainly two diseases transmitted by ticks:
1) Lyme disease: unfortunately quite common in the Jura regions, so you can get it especially during walks in the woods. No vaccine available but treatable with antibiotics (the sooner the better). Try to protect yourself against ticks (wear long sleeves and trousers, socks) and check your body for ticks after your walk. Lyme disease is transmitted after about 48 hours only (but ticks may be very small and you might miss them). Go to see a doctor if you notice a growing red spot with a clear center on your skin, or if you have symptoms of flu and joint pain.
2) Tick encephalitis (usually called encephalite verno-estivale or FSME) is also common in Switzerland although more common in the eastern part until now, but getting more frequent in the Jura region. There's a vaccine that you should get if you go for walks in the woods often - you shoud be able to get it at your GP's (I think you have to pay it yourself - not entirely sure though). No treatment for this disease once you get it, can be anything from benign to severe. Encephalitis symptoms are not very specific (headache, fever, drowsiness, confusion). Again, protect yourself from ticks.
Remember that ticks don't survive above 1000 metres, so go up high!
Not sure about Japanese encephalitis but I'll check.
Hope this helps!
Dr Eva
eva77, Feb 21, 2007 @ 15:09
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Re: Swiss diseases
Post 2
Feb 21, 2007 @ 15:19
Everything you need to know about infectious diseases and vaccinations in Switzerland:
http://www.bag.admin.ch/themen/medizin/00682/index.html?lang=fr
This is the website of the Office federal de la sante publique (also in english), check the factsheets about Lyme disease and FSME (tick encephalitis).
http://www.bag.admin.ch/themen/medizin/00682/index.html?lang=fr
This is the website of the Office federal de la sante publique (also in english), check the factsheets about Lyme disease and FSME (tick encephalitis).
The text you are quoting:
Everything you need to know about infectious diseases and vaccinations in Switzerland:
http://www.bag.admin.ch/themen/medizin/00682/index.html?lang=fr
This is the website of the Office federal de la sante publique (also in english), check the factsheets about Lyme disease and FSME (tick encephalitis).
eva77, Feb 21, 2007 @ 15:19
http://www.bag.admin.ch/themen/medizin/00682/index.html?lang=fr
This is the website of the Office federal de la sante publique (also in english), check the factsheets about Lyme disease and FSME (tick encephalitis).
eva77, Feb 21, 2007 @ 15:19
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Re: Swiss diseases
Post 3
Feb 21, 2007 @ 16:44
i lived in bassins (on the jura side) for the better part of 15 years and i've been biten by ticks only twice... which is not bad compared to the days i spent romping about in the woods !! you have to know that not all ticks are lyme disease carriers and i've not needed an antibiotic treatment for those 2 bites...
hope this will make you feel a bit more secure, but by any means, take the shots if they are available and if you don't feel safe walking about....
cheers - nathalie
hope this will make you feel a bit more secure, but by any means, take the shots if they are available and if you don't feel safe walking about....
cheers - nathalie
The text you are quoting:
i lived in bassins (on the jura side) for the better part of 15 years and i've been biten by ticks only twice... which is not bad compared to the days i spent romping about in the woods !! you have to know that not all ticks are lyme disease carriers and i've not needed an antibiotic treatment for those 2 bites...
hope this will make you feel a bit more secure, but by any means, take the shots if they are available and if you don't feel safe walking about....
cheers - nathalie
addaxnat, Feb 21, 2007 @ 16:44
hope this will make you feel a bit more secure, but by any means, take the shots if they are available and if you don't feel safe walking about....
cheers - nathalie
addaxnat, Feb 21, 2007 @ 16:44
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Re: Swiss diseases
Post 4
Feb 21, 2007 @ 16:59
off them. ticks, i mean. i've lived for the best part of 20 years and i was only 'bitten' once, and noone even thought of telling me about Lyme disease. it was only a lot later, when a friend got 'bitten', that someone insisted on taking him to the doctor's, and i was the only one going around asking why...
The text you are quoting:
off them. ticks, i mean. i've lived for the best part of 20 years and i was only 'bitten' once, and noone even thought of telling me about Lyme disease. it was only a lot later, when a friend got 'bitten', that someone insisted on taking him to the doctor's, and i was the only one going around asking why...
Minda, Feb 21, 2007 @ 16:59
Minda, Feb 21, 2007 @ 16:59
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Re: Swiss diseases
Post 5
Feb 21, 2007 @ 17:00
you just know too much about this! ARE you a doctor?
;)
;)
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Re: Swiss diseases
Post 6
Feb 23, 2007 @ 22:19
I talked to our pediatrician about ticks (he also had a very informative leaflet with all the risk areas in it), and he is of the opinion that the risk of the vaccination outweighs the risk of the disease.
Unfortunately I have forgotten which way round it was, either the vaccine is against meningitis and lyme's disease is the more dangerous or the other way round ;-)
Anyway, we decided not to be vaccinated ourselves and not to have the children vaccinated either, if that's any help.
Unfortunately I have forgotten which way round it was, either the vaccine is against meningitis and lyme's disease is the more dangerous or the other way round ;-)
Anyway, we decided not to be vaccinated ourselves and not to have the children vaccinated either, if that's any help.
The text you are quoting:
I talked to our pediatrician about ticks (he also had a very informative leaflet with all the risk areas in it), and he is of the opinion that the risk of the vaccination outweighs the risk of the disease.
Unfortunately I have forgotten which way round it was, either the vaccine is against meningitis and lyme's disease is the more dangerous or the other way round ;-)
Anyway, we decided not to be vaccinated ourselves and not to have the children vaccinated either, if that's any help.
katjaA, Feb 23, 2007 @ 22:19
Unfortunately I have forgotten which way round it was, either the vaccine is against meningitis and lyme's disease is the more dangerous or the other way round ;-)
Anyway, we decided not to be vaccinated ourselves and not to have the children vaccinated either, if that's any help.
katjaA, Feb 23, 2007 @ 22:19
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Re: Swiss diseases
Post 7
Feb 26, 2007 @ 10:22
Thanks for your feedback. Before I came to Geneva my doctor back home told me I had to take tetanus and the flu vaccine. A few months after I arrived, I came down with such a bad flu that I had to take a course of antibiotics. So I'm not partial to taking vaccinations. I guess I will stick to insect repellants as the lesser of two evils!
The text you are quoting:
Thanks for your feedback. Before I came to Geneva my doctor back home told me I had to take tetanus and the flu vaccine. A few months after I arrived, I came down with such a bad flu that I had to take a course of antibiotics. So I'm not partial to taking vaccinations. I guess I will stick to insect repellants as the lesser of two evils!
springday, Feb 26, 2007 @ 10:22
springday, Feb 26, 2007 @ 10:22
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