i mentioned that i went to a pre-syria doctor's visit last week. what i didn't mention is that i decided to get the typhoid vaccination. the vaccination was optional for visitors to syria. it's unlikelly that i will really get typhoid. but i'd still rather that i didn't. i've been innoculated for typhoid before, actually several times, before some of my prior africa trips and my central asia trip. the vaccine only works for 2-3 years. it has been just over two years since my last one, i was right on the border. but still, typhoid sounded pretty bad, so i decided to give myself another couple of typhoid-free years.
luckily, there's both an oral and injectable version of the vaccine. needless to say, i opted for the pill, not the needle. the oral vaccine, however is live. in order words, in each caplet is living typhoid virus (albeit a weakened form of it). i have to keep it in the refrigerator and take four pills--one every other day--on an empty stomach for a week. i leave the pills in the refrigerator in between doses sitting in a bag with a big biohazard sticker on it. we haven't had a guest over lately. at least none that i could say "help youself, there's a beer in the fridge. oh, and typhoid too."
i took today's pill about an hour ago. these live vaccines always mess with my mind. i spend all this time thinking about whether i feel any different, and inevitably i find that i do. i just can't tell if the pill is doing this or if i'm just looking too hard to find something wrong. and there are side-effects. the pills are giving me a mild case of typhoid, after all. i'm even mildly contageous. i am not allowed to be in close contact with anyone who has a compromised immune system (e.g. someone with AIDS or who is on chemotherapy) on days that i take the pill.
i need to start thinking about something else.
