Vaccinations

I just got back from the satellite office of the UF Student Health Care Center at Shands (room D2-49 on the second floor of the "Dental Tower"--352-392-0627-- a little confusing to find, allow 5 minutes of wandering around to find it). The travel nurse recommended some vaccinations and precautions for me (Disclaimer: it was individual medical advice for me, and may differ for you, and you should definitely go to hear the specific tips she had):

• Malaria chemoprophylaxis: Specifically atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) or doxycycline. I chose Malarone, although it's the more expensive choice, because of the photosensitivity side effects of doxycycline. Both have to be taken daily, 2 days before, during, and 7 days after the trip. For that reason I chose to get 20 doses. (also strongly recommended taking it when you'll be upright for a few hours, because it can get into your esophagus while sleeping and eat away at it)
  
• Typhoid vaccine: can be administered via shot or oral doses. I chose oral because it lasts a little longer (5 years), but you need to keep it refrigerated and take it every 2 days on an empty stomach for about a week. The shot needs to be given at least 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A: She strongly recommends that everyone get this regardless of where they're going. It is 1 shot for temporary immunity 1 month before travel, and one may get another 6 months later for long lasting (15 yrs or so) immunity.
• Traveler's Diarrhea: She prescribed me an azithromicin (spelling?) antibiotic in case of a debilitating infection. But strongly emphasized proper precautions for food, drink, and hand washing.
• She strongly recommended the use of 30-50% DEET insect repellents for the skin, and permethrin insecticide for clothing. I'll be picking up both sometime soon.
• She did not recommend Japanese encephalitis since we will have improved sleeping conditions, and against rabies since it is over $400 for the preventative series.
• She warned of Dengue Fever, which does not have a vaccine or curative treatment. It resembles malaria in symptoms, so you should go to the doctor when back home. It isn't dangerous, but will ruin your week.

I can talk more about the food/water/etc. precautions, but you'll hear them when it's your turn to see a travel medical specialist so I won't waste the time.

I also picked up some forms for the MEDEX service at the International Center. I apparently get the service for free through Gator GradCare, so I have my own form. David and Dr. Wilkie will need to fill out the MEDEX forms. She suggested that if Dr. Wilkie was billing SWS that she contact a person in the IC for whom I have a business card. They also do not offer travel insurance, but recommended that we speak to Scarborough... who have a local office that is used to dealing with short trips from the University.

Cheers!
-Jon

Efficient Stove

Hey team,

Yesterday, Jon, David and I made what we hope is an efficient stove. We mixed clay from the ground with water and sand. We didn't include any hay or grass, which is suggested for structural support. We wanted to see how the clay stays up without this.

This is the mold we made. We used 4 tall thick pieces of wood, cinder blocks for support and PVC piping for inlet of wood and container of fire. We are storing our stove underneath the covering near Dr. Wilkie's office.

Then we filled it up with the clay, patted it down and are waiting for the clay to dry. Depending on the weather, it'll take anywhere between 1 week to 3 weeks.

Also our phone interview is today with Joshua Knight for our assessment trip. Information on how that went will be posted later.

Here's a checklist for the traveling team to remember to do:

1) Vaccinations

2) MEDEX

3) Personal Health Form

4) Checklist for items taking on trip

5) Purchase tickets

6) Arrange final travel plans with Soknay and Priya

Sarah Grace Katz