Bugs

I made the mistake of calling my healthcare provider and asking for a prescription for antibiotics.

Well then.

It wasn't really a mistake. It was a good, responsible thing to do.

Except.

Now I have to go in for blood work and vaccinations (MMR, Polio, TB, Hepatitis A & B and Tetanus!) AND on top of all of those deadly plague thingers, I have to take Typhoid pills.

Have you ever taken Typhoid pills?

Doesn't that just sound deadly?

Typhoid. Pills.

Suspect. Highly suspect.

Do you know what's in a typhoid pill? LIVE TYPHOID virus. That's right. I am, in fact, placing my life and wellness in the hands of healthcare professionals, trusting that in taking a pill containing live viruses, I will not get Typhoid in Egypt.

My tour company didn't say that I needed Typhoid pills. Because I don't like doctors or medications containing live agents of viral plague, I'm more prone to believe my tour company when they told me that I would need to complete the following medications for my trip:__________.  _________ means NONE, in case you wondered.

Did you know that I have a cold right now? I do. And I'm just happy that it's happening now and not in say, two weeks. Nevertheless, (haven't you always wanted to use the word nevertheless?) I don't think it's a good idea to take live death pills (AKA Typhoid pills) while my immune system is effectively down for the count.

Do you? 

But I really don't want to catch Typhoid fever on my trip, because google health says this:

 Typhi Bacterium

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection characterized by diarrhea, systemic disease, and a rash -- most commonly caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi (S. typhi).

Symptoms

Early symptoms include fever, general ill-feeling, and abdominal pain. A high (over 103 degrees) fever and severe diarrhea occur as the disease gets worse.
Some people with typhoid fever develop a rash called "rose spots," which are small red spots on the belly and chest.

Other symptoms that occur include:

• Abdominal tenderness
• Agitation
• Bloody stools
• Chills
• Confusion
• Difficulty paying attention (attention deficit)
• Delirium
• Fluctuating mood
• Hallucinations
• Nosebleeds
• Severe fatigue
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic feeling
• Weakness

Ewwww. So let's save it for the next trip, okay? Or preferably for never.

So I think I'll wait a couple of days and then subject my immune system to further torture by death pill. I can do that because I only need to finish my round of Typhoid meds one week before my trip. That gives me until Sunday to start.

Fair enough?

Have you ever had to take suspect medications?