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Posted by Judy Arbique Feb 21, 2007 |
Dukoral is an oral vaccine that offers protection against a number of cholera strains, and most importantly for many travellers, travel-related diarrhea caused by E. coli 0157, responsible for many of the bouts of diarrhea or extended days of diarrhea. E. coli 0157 Infection occurs following ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacteria.
Some people experience nausea, diarrhea, and/or abdominal discomfort following the intital dose of vaccine, but I did not have any discomfort at all. A friend of mine who also took the vaccine complained of a headache and fatigue, it is uncertain whether or not this was related to the Dukoral or just coincidence.
Hmmm....maybe I won't have to "Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it" while I'm in Tanzania! Wrong, Dukoral doesn't provide protection against viral pathogens, like Noroviruses and hepatitis A, that are also common causes of traveller's diarrhea. I've been immunized against hepatitis A, and if the Dukoral is effective, won't have to worry about E. coli 0157, but neither of these will protect me against Noroviruses!
Further reading: