What Should I Do? The Basics of Resilience (Part 5 – Health and First Aid)

I would like to offer an additional item to consider: Immunizations.  This came up during the course of participant discussions during an on-line course that I took awhile ago (http://www.postpeakliving.com/uncrash-course).  I hope suggesting immunizations isn't too controversial.  However, in the uncrash-course, my impression was that some participants seemed to think that immunizations are just poison.  If you think that way, then please just ignore this post.  

In my opinion, it is prudent to prepare for a future where heath care will not be as readily available as at present, and part of that should be getting one’s immunizations up to date, and maybe even extended beyond the norm.  This is also important in cases where a disaster strikes. 

For instance, consider this article from 2005 "Sick City: The diseases that Katrina unleashed”

Immunization: To combat the exposure to viruses and bacteria from contaminated water, everyone who has been evacuated from the devastated area or who remains there or is coming down to help should be immunized immediately against hepatitis A and typhoid. Physically stressed people who are packed tightly in small areas are at great risk for passing illness back and forth. For that reason, any flood victims whose immunizations for measles-mumps-rubella, varicella, and tetanus have lapsed or are missing should be brought up to date with new shots, ideally with an added boost of diphtheria and whooping cough protection. It will be better to err in favor of over-immunizing, since there is no harm (beyond the risk of a slightly achy arm) in giving an extra shot to an already protected person. It is also imperative that children be brought up to date for these vaccines and also for protection against the most common form of meningitis, which is prevented by the HIB vaccine. http://www.slate.com/id/2125757

If my location becomes a disaster area, or for some reason I was forced to relocate, I believe that the most appropriate immunizations for me to have gotten in advance would be about the same as that recommended for a relief worker traveling to a disaster area such as Louisiana after Katrina, or, Haiti. Additionally, if I ever had to provide relief in my own area, then I would be reasonably well prepared.  This would be so easy to do now, but during an emergency or just in future, it may not be so easy.

Here are some guidelines:

Katrina

Relief workers should ideally be assessed by a health-care professional at least 4-6 weeks before travel so recommended vaccines can be completed and provide maximum benefit. These recommendations apply even if travel is imminent. All relief workers with a history of incomplete or lapsed routine, “childhood” immunization schedules should be brought up-to-date for these vaccines.

• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) Tetanus and diphtheria toxoid (receipt of primary series, and Td booster within 10 years).

Persons with high likelihood of exposure to blood and body fluids such as healthcare workers:

• Hepatitis B vaccine series for persons who will be performing direct patient care or otherwise expected to have contact with bodily fluids.

For more information, see Interim Immunization Recommendations for Emergency Responders: Hurricane Katrina.

http://library.fmhi.usf.edu/reference/disaster/CDC-InterimHealthRecommendationsReliefWorkers.pdf

For Katrina relief workers the CDC did not recommend Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Cholera, Meningococcal, or Rabies, mainly because they considered the  probability of exposure to be low. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/disease/responderimmun.asp

For Haiti relief workers, the recommended vaccines were:

· Routine : Be sure that you are up to date on vaccines such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), polio, seasonal and H1N1 flu, and varicella. It is especially important to have a current tetanus shot.

· Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) : Even if your departure is imminent, one dose of hepatitis A vaccine provides adequate short-term protection for healthy people. For long term protection, a second dose is required 6–18 months after the first dose, depending on the brand of vaccine used.

Typhoid : There are 2 vaccines available for typhoid prevention. The injectable vaccine may be preferable to the oral vaccine in cases where travel is imminent. The oral vaccine requires refrigeration and 4 tablets taken every other day over one week.

Hepatitis B : If your departure is imminent, the first in a 3-dose series (day 0, 1 month and 6 months) may provide some protection. An accelerated dosing schedule may be used (doses at days 0, 7, and at 21–30 days with a booster at 12 months).

Rabies : If your activities in Haiti will bring you into contact with animals such as dogs, cats, bats, raccoons, or skunks, you should consider pre-exposure rabies vaccination, which is a 3-shot series (days 0, 7, and 21 or 28) given before travel. Even if you receive pre-exposure vaccination, you will still need immediate medical treatment if you are bitten or scratched by an animal. (See the Animals section for more information.)

And, "At this time, vaccines for diseases such as polio, cholera, and meningitis are not recommended. " http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/relief-workers-haiti.aspx

1. Livestock antibiotics available for farmers are comparable to what is available for humans, but much cheaper and sold in bulk, so don't forget to stock up this way for your four-limbed loved ones.

2. Consider getting vaccinated against some tropical diseases and other less-well known ones: Yellow fever, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), even smallpox. These last for a decade or a lifetime. Reasons: Not everyone on this board lives in temperate North America, and with international travel and potential climate change (not debating anything, but think of West Nile), and refugee/migrations, bio-terrorism, it'd be a good idea. (Some people still think vaccines cause autism - that's just not true and the British doctor who first promoted the autism/vaccine link has had his medical license stripped, his co-authors recanted, and they found he had questionable/unethical test methodology. Having grown up in a Third World country, i just want to say that you DO NOT want to be seeing children waste-ing away.)

3. Women: a Diva Cup or Mooncup or "Keeper" is a great way to save money and not deal with menstrual pads or tampons (which can lead to toxic shock syndrome). My wife has used cups safely all her adult life.

4. Condoms and cycle beads: Seriously, yes. If anything, you want to avoid having children unless you really want the children and are well prepared for the pregnancy and delivery and infant care. The same goes with STDs.

Poet

Well, you'd have to check with your doctor or medical professional. I am not a medical professional. However, I have heard of people using them.

Poet

I second the vaccination idea... I had a couple new vaccinations done in preparation for my last trip to Asia, but I think there are a couple more I think might be ideal.  I do not necessarily think ALL vaccines are safe, but the ones I am mostly leery of are new vaccines that haven't had a long history of testing or usage.  I tend to be more comfortable with the more established vaccines with a long history of testing and usage.

@isrjb029: Be careful about buying antibiotics and such during a cruise.  It's not a problem with the cruise line, but the customs people will be asking you questions on your return and possibly searching your luggage (at least that was the case when I took a cruise to Mexico last year).  Even if the drug is legal, bringing it in without a prescription or having more than a 90-day supply may get you in trouble:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml#Medication

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_pharmacy

Importation of any prescription drug (not necessarily a controlled substance) violates 21 USC, Section 301(aa), unless the following conditions are met (as listed in Section 804):

1. The drug is imported from Canada, from a seller registered with the Secretary (i.e. with FDA);
2. The drug is imported from a licensed pharmacy for personal use by an individual, not for resale, in quantities that do not exceed a 90-day supply;
3. The drug is accompanied by a copy of a valid prescription;
4. The drug is a prescription drug approved by the Secretary;
5. The drug is in the form of a final finished dosage that was manufactured in an establishment registered under section 510; and
6. The drug is imported under such other conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary to ensure public safety.

My wife and I considered doing the same thing for our last cruise, but decided against it since customs very likely would search or scan our bags.  The livestock or fish antibiotics is likely a better bet; my understanding is that the primary concern of using such for human use is not that the drugs are different or dangerous to us, but rather the big issue is with the whole idea of people self-medicating without a medical professional's input.  But that doesn't concern me since my intended use of any such antibiotics would only be in an emergency situation where there is likely a medical professional available, but antibiotics are unavailable.  But of course don't take my word for it... for something this important everyone's gotta do their own research.

- Nickbert

- When you are assembling your first aid kit, I recommend Betadine (Povidone-iodine) solution or scrub for primary cleansing of ‘dirty’ wounds such as scrapes, abrasions, ragged tears, etc.  It has both antibacterial and antifungal properties.  It can also be used for superficial skin infections and nonspecific fungal infections from wet clothes or shoes.  It is mild to exposed tissues if diluted as recommended.

I noticed the 'first responders kit' listed above contained a few Povidone-iodine wipes, but in my experience, having a bottle of solution or scrub allows much greater flexibility to respond to a variety of skin/wound care situations.

- Stocking sterile, individual use, saline eye solution packets is another useful, hard to duplicate first aid supply.

- Last but not least, keeping oral rehydration solution such a s Pedialyte or potassium salts, baking soda, sugar and salt is useful for diarrheal illness. It can be lifesaving when away from prompt medical care, especially among elders and children. People can dehydrate amazingly fast.  Recipes for adults and children at: http://www.pamf.org/patients/ors.html

The publisher of Where There is no Doctor(the book Chris recommended)  allows you to download the book for free - http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download_wtnd.php.

I'd also recommend taking a look at the US military's  first aid field manual - http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/army/fm4_25x11.pdf.

I am a strong advocate for the career choices of Physician Assistant, Nurse practitioner, Lab Technician, Emergency Medical Technician and Midwife. These specialties can end up taking care of the 90% or so of situations that are “normal”. Of course there are the other situations that will need more professional care.  

I have lived in third world situations where internal parasites and hepatitis are common.  Control of flies, clean water, washing of hands, Betadine solution and clean “outhouses” (or whatever way of sanitation) can be a strong first line defense for care of a home/community health situation. Gray Water disposal can be tricky also. Some kind of lab technician experience and microscope experience is necessary for hepatitis and internal parasite detection.

Vitamins sincerely help as well as mineral supplements. Your own gardens and green leafy vegetables will help fortify your family and neighborhood. Consider a community garden.

There are herbs that do good medical work. Once planted in your garden, many herbs and spices will return naturally the next year. We have long ago substituted white willow bark for aspirin (or other chemical aspirin-like pills). Learn about the wonders of ginger, mint, chamomile, sage, comfrey… etc.

I am one of those who feel as though vaccinations are poison.

fyi - For nuclear radiation fallout, a supply of Potassium Iodide is recommended for the effects of Radiation, especially for children.

Mooselick,

My wife and I have had  similar experiences with alternative care, if somewhat less dramatic. We went to a naturalpath/homeopath/chiropractor/kinesiologist type guy and he produced great results. I call him my witch doctor 'cause the treatment methods seem so unorthodox compared to western medicine. My suspicious nature was overcome when his first 'prescription' for me was "drink lots more water!" as many symptoms were from chronic dehydration. Then he went on to prescribe an eating plan---the majority of his treatment was to modify our diets toward healthy eating. No drugs, a few herbal supplements, very proactive, geared towards health development, not symptom treatment. Bottom line, a gifted healer.

I wish I had the time to bore you with the details, but you lucked out: I gotta go.

Full moon:

Im sorry to hear about your boy.  Seems like he is getting a head start on those battle scars it takes years for most to gain...

I totally agree - we need community and we need conventional medicine.  I owe my life to conventional medicine (radiation treatments with the Hodkins).  I believe that alternative healing is a complement to conventional medicine and that neither is the whole answer to our health needs.  I also agree with CM assertion that complexity in society breaks down to simpler systems.  I believe CM learned that from Tainter.  Regardless, it is always good to have a back up plan. 

I have EMT paramedic training and feel that it is very worthwhile. 

My main message is to keep an open mind to other things that work to help our bodies heal themselves and avoid disease before it takes over. 

Out - Moose

Poet ,

  I could give you my testimony on  what hooked me on Alternative Health care  but it is not a pretty picture to post .   I will tell you  the Health and wellness Dr. saved me  surgeries  on the colon and gallbladder .

FM

First aid books and even minor surgery books should be kept in a library. Also a book on local plants and there usefull traites are available. Keep well informed, but you can't know everything, but at least you will have somewhere to read about a subject.

Also, know how to make electrolites to rehydrate a body. Keep all these and more written down or in books, invaluable in true emergencies, when it counts!

As an RN for 30 years I prefer natural alternative medicine and treatments.  I am actively learning about how to make herbal medications and use them.  I am sticking to those that I can personally grow to sustain a ready supply.  It really takes some focus since there are so many herbs listed in books.  Focus on what your personal needs are, and prepare some herbs that can be used for emergency situations.  I am trying to keep the list under 15 since I know I would have no problem growing them.  I am also stocking up on the highest proof alcohol I can get.  It is easy to make tintures and there is a ton of information on the subject.  Besides if you don't make tintures with the alcohol it can be used as trading supplies.Good health practices, good hygiene, are the best we can do for ourselves.  I agree with all the above, get your dental work done, eyes checked , basic health check-ups asap.  Store medications.  I don't take vaccinations but if others want to that is their choice.  I rarely get the flu or colds.  Only time I ever got pneumonia was after I had a flu vaccination, thought I was going to die.  I do get the tetanus vaccine since I dig in the dirt so much.

Happy Herb Hunting.