Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

1 2 View All

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #1 of 36 (3551 views)

Shortcut

Street Vendors

Can't Post |

I know that many people are afraid to eat on the street. I am not. I have had some excellent food from street vendors, and I have never been sick from it. But there is more to street vending than fast food. I have put together another web page to show some of the variety of street vendors in my town.To view my whole web site, go the Rollybrook.comTo go directly to this new page, click below.

Uncle Jack

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #2 of 36 (3543 views)

Shortcut

It's kinda funny........

Can't Post |

People constantly comment about the safety of Mexican street vendors, but seldom does anyone comment about street vendors in the USA.Did you ever buy a beer or a hot dog at a ball game? Did you ever see the guy put on plastic gloves before he handled the money? How long had he been carrying those hot dogs around and at what temperature? How many people coughed or sneezed on that stack of paper cups or the container of chopped onions. Live in a big city? Ever bought snacks at the park or the beach?One of the things about most Mexican street vendors is that they generally work the same spot or neighborhood all the time. If the locals were to get sick, he'd be out of business in a nanosecond. Use a little common sense. If the place looks clean and the locals patronize, it's probably as safe as the local McDonalds.

Dave C.

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #3 of 36 (3541 views)

Shortcut

It's kinda funny........

Can't Post |

: People constantly comment about the safety of Mexican street vendors, but seldom does anyone comment about street vendors in the USA.Never mind the street vendors; years ago I used to work in a very ritzy private club restaurant of the top floor of the highest building in a large U.S. city (I think it cost $1000 U.S. just to join), and I occasionally saw unsanitary practices, such as a chef who dropped a large piece of meat on the floor and didn't wash it off before continuing to cut it up, or low-paid kitchen workers who worked even when they were sick, because they couldn't afford to lose a day of pay. It just goes to show that anyone anywhere can be exposed to contaminated food. Even Vice Prez Dan Quayle was there one night, Secret Service and all. I think he had a potatoe.

Liz

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #4 of 36 (3537 views)

Shortcut

You are right

Can't Post |

i used to cook in restaurants in the US and quality of cleanliness vareid dramatically. Usually the patrons are safe because anything marginal was fed to emplyees in the employee cafeteria. This was also true when I was in cooking school and we got sick from a student meal. Waste not want not. I got sickest working for a major high end hotel chain. All of this has given me great intestinal fortitude now.

Jean

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #5 of 36 (3539 views)

Shortcut

Rolly You Should Know Better

Can't Post |

I have two friends with typhoid who will never again eat at street vendor again. Wait till you have your first bout of salmonella and then see how you feel about those street vendors. Then we can discuss parasites and ameobias.That has to be one of the more risky recommendations I have ever heard of and frankly Rolly I think it is rather ill advised to give people the impression that street vendors are ok.We won't even discuss what some of the meat in those things you get from the street vendor actually contain.

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #6 of 36 (3537 views)

Shortcut

Rolly You Should Know Better

Can't Post |

I'll mention your concerns to the dozens of people who line up each day at the places where I eat. Or is it your thought that the Mexican immune system is somehow better engineered than those of us from up North?I had a few gastro problems in the first couple of months here, but it was not from eating on the street because I didn’t at first. I have been sick once from a restaurant and once from my own kitchen, but never from the street.I’m not advocating that people eat or not eat from the street, I am simply relating my experiences. I am sorry that your friends had a bad experience. But I do have to wonder how that know they contracted typhoid from a street vendor and not from something they brought into their own home.

Jean

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #7 of 36 (3536 views)

Shortcut

Rolly You Should Know Better

Can't Post |

> Or is it your thought that the Mexican immune system is somehow
> better engineered than those of us from up North?Actually this is something I have wondered about. A person can have typhoid and get over it in time. Would that mean that their immune system has built up resistance to it?
: I had a few gastro problems in the first couple of months here, but it was not from eating on the street because I didn’t at first.:) I too had gastro problems when I first moved to Mexico. Since I love cream in my coffee and the crema here is 30% I got the brilliant idea to mix crema with 1% milk and figured I would come out ahead. It was nearly two weeks before I realized that it was working faster than any laxative ever had :): I have been sick once from a restaurant and once from my own
: kitchen, but never from the street.Ditto that. Both bouts of salmonella that I have had came from a restaurant and/or the eggs we had in the house. A friend explained that the salmonella bacteria was on the outside of the egg. We now wash our eggs the same as we do our fruits and veggies.: I’m not advocating that people eat or not eat from the street, I am simply relating my experiences. I am sorry that your friends had a bad experience. But I do have to wonder how that know they contracted typhoid from a street vendor and not from something they brought into their own home.Actually it is strongly suspected that they got it from buying yogurt at the tiangis. They are also lovers of cesar salad and forgot that the dressing is made with a raw egg.But street vendors can be just as dangerous as anything else here. Your little vendor might be fine, but to advocate street vendors without a cavet attached to it is a little dangerous. A lot of people take your writings as gospel and then run with it. You have a great site and a great story, but it's just as important to explain some of the cautions that must be taken here and it is to tell about all the good.

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #8 of 36 (3538 views)

Shortcut

Rolly You Should Know Better

Can't Post |

Jean, let me tell you about my eating habits, which will probably send some running, screaming out of the room. But first, the four times that I can recall having been afflicted with a food-bourn illness: I got sick at a 5-star restaurant in Los Angeles. I spent 4 days in the hospital after eating at KFC in Los Angeles. I got sick at a restaurant in Torreón – in this case I am sure the bug was on the service ware, not the food -- I saw the chili rellenos come from the frying pan on to my plate. Then there were the cold tamales that had been in my fridge too long. And that’s it for my bouts with “food poisoning.” I don’t eat lettuce or eggs, not out of fear of bugs, but because I’m allergic to them. I rarely have raw chicken or hamburger in my kitchen, and when I do, I am very careful.But that’s the end of my special care. I drink water from the tap. I don’t wash my fruit or veggies – never have in all my 71 years, and I have never been sick from it. I eat from street vendors both in Mexico and in Los Angeles and have never been sick from that either.So when I hear of people soaking produce in iodine water, drinking only bottled water, etc, I wonder. Is my gut bug proof, or is washing just not that important, or are the bad bugs pretty rare? I read what the CDC says about washing and street vendors, and I wonder. For me, it just has never been a problem. When I have guests, I do wash, etc just in case they don’t have the same bullet-proof system that I seem to have.I am not speaking out in favor of not washing, etc; I’m just reporting that has never been a problem for me, and I can’t help wondering how important it really is. As another poster likes to say: Your mileage may vary.OK, flamers, get to your keyboards!

Liz

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #9 of 36 (3536 views)

Shortcut

My grandmother drank tap water everywhere she went

Can't Post |

including Mexico and Latin America. I can't bring myself to do it. She lived into her early 80s and was generally very healthy. All of her friends were horrified.

Juan

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #10 of 36 (3535 views)

Shortcut

Rolly You Should Know Better

Can't Post |

Hi Rolly, My eating habits are pretty much like yours, except I don't like tamales, and we are about the same age. I don't live in Mexico full time but I spend several months a year there and have never been sick from the street food. The one time I had a stomach problem it was from a local restaurant in the small town where I visit. When my neighbors found out I was ill the first question they asked was "where did you eat last night"? The restaurant had recently opened when I ate there and closed their doors about a month after I became ill. During that time I noticed most of the restaurants' patrons were gringos who were staying at one of the local resorts. The only Mexican people I saw in the restaurant after I ate there were the owners and their children but when I ate there the customers were mostly Mexican. Word spreads fast in small towns.As you stated, I too drink the water, do not wash my fruit or vegetables (unless they are obviously dirty) and I don't get sick. It could be that you and I have some "natural immunity" or that we both have a "strong stomach" but I doubt it. It could also be that we are observant and don't eat food that we think will hurt us. A little common sense can often prevent a problem later. Of course Salmonella and many other bugs live on the outside of the egg shell but I cook my eggs before eating them so it doesn't make any difference. As far as Jeans' response to your post, most of the readers know she often makes comments that are totally without fact or basis. Why, who knows? You will notice that she cannot or will not respond to the poster below who presents facts rather than personal opinions.Oh well, it takes all kinds. Your posts are interesting to many of us and I hope you keep up the good work.Best wishes, Juan

Amoeba

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #11 of 36 (3535 views)

Shortcut

Thanks Rolly, that was defamatory and paranoid NMSG

Can't Post |

: Jean, let me tell you about my eating habits, which will probably send some running, screaming out of the room. But first, the four times that I can recall having been afflicted with a food-bourn illness: I got sick at a 5-star restaurant in Los Angeles. I spent 4 days in the hospital after eating at KFC in Los Angeles. I got sick at a restaurant in Torreón – in this case I am sure the bug was on the service ware, not the food -- I saw the chili rellenos come from the frying pan on to my plate. Then there were the cold tamales that had been in my fridge too long. And that’s it for my bouts with “food poisoning.” : I don’t eat lettuce or eggs, not out of fear of bugs, but because I’m allergic to them. I rarely have raw chicken or hamburger in my kitchen, and when I do, I am very careful.: But that’s the end of my special care. I drink water from the tap. I don’t wash my fruit or veggies – never have in all my 71 years, and I have never been sick from it. I eat from street vendors both in Mexico and in Los Angeles and have never been sick from that either.: So when I hear of people soaking produce in iodine water, drinking only bottled water, etc, I wonder. Is my gut bug proof, or is washing just not that important, or are the bad bugs pretty rare? I read what the CDC says about washing and street vendors, and I wonder. For me, it just has never been a problem. When I have guests, I do wash, etc just in case they don’t have the same bullet-proof system that I seem to have.: I am not speaking out in favor of not washing, etc; I’m just reporting that has never been a problem for me, and I can’t help wondering how important it really is. : As another poster likes to say: Your mileage may vary.: OK, flamers, get to your keyboards!

Just curios

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #12 of 36 (3535 views)

Shortcut

Respond to this, Jean

Can't Post |

This has been waiting for your response, in the Ajijic/Lake Chapala Forum, Jean :
In Reply to: Re: Here is the link posted by Jean on Septiembre 11, 2002 at 04:43:58:Jean,You seem to be constantly portraying a negative image about everything in Mexico (I am the first to admit that we have many things that have to be improved, but so does every other country in the world). Many times you do so without supporting your statements with evidence. It is only your personal belief or point of view, which lately has been wrong most of the time. I will be very specific to what I am pointing out:# 1
"You could be delayed for hours if not days as they check out your permit. Or they could just decide to turn you away. They do not need reason or logic. That does not exist here. They could also arrest you while they check you out."Regarding this statement, every year many hunters from the US and Canada come to Mexico to hunt, and if they do everything properly, they have absolutely no problem at all. You even say that people could get arrested. Obviously you know nothing about coming to Mexico to hunt. I do, I am a hunter, and I have known many foreigners who come hunting here.
-------------------------#2
"Your best bet is to probably leave the firearms at home and buy new ones here with a permit from the local police."In Mexico the law allows every citizen to own up to three arms (what is prohibited, is to carry them) but you have to fulfill the following requirements: you cannot own any handgun of a caliber larger than 38. You cannot own automatic rifles, only semi-automatic hunting rifles and shotguns . You cannot own more than 50 shells or bullets for each arm. You have to register the arms before the SEDENA (Mexican Army), the police has nothing to do with permits or licenses regarding guns.
---------------#3
"Even with that you could still have problems. God help you if someone gets shot down here where you live. As a gun permit holder you could become suspect and it's not like they have high technology to decide what gun it came from."It is not true that every gun permit holder in Mexico could become a suspect when somebody gets shot where they live just for being a gun permit holder. You don't need high technology to determine what gun fired a certain bullet. It is a routine procedure at every police laboratory in Mexico since a long time ago.
------------------------#4
"The whole thing if fraught with dangers for you, your family and your possessions."Because of your lack of knowledge on the matter, you are just projecting your baseless fears. Tell that to an experienced hunter who has come to Mexico, and the least he will do is laugh.
-------------------#5
"Then you have the hunting problem. You're going to go off in the country side and hunt and as neighbors hear gunshots, it's going to be a little unsettling. Expect a visit from the local police, who once again may accept your permit and then again may not."Again lack of knowledge on the matter you are giving information and advise. In Mexico, as in every other coutry, hunting is regulated. You are given license to hunt only in certain areas (called UMAS) and certain animals. You don't go off in the country by yourself, you are in company of a guide from the UMA in which you are authorized to hunt. Every hunter knows that and never goes off by himself in somebody's property and with no authorization. The hunting areas are not close to populated areas, for obvious reasons.
-------------------#6
"It's not like Canada, with trained police officers. You will be at the mercy of the local police and you will be seen as a gringo with money to help with their "police fund"."Again, the "victim gringo" and the corrupt Mexican stereotype. Tell that to people who frequently come to Mexico to hunt.
---------------------#7
"Personally, I would say, if you're a hunter, Mexico is not the place for you. I shudder to think of the different scenarios that could happen to you"Lack of knowledge again, Mexico is one of the favorite places for hunters from all over the world, mostly Americans and Canadians. So, don't 'shudder', but become informed instead. Check the link below, for information regarding hunting in Mexico.
-------------I really don't understand how can you be criticizing Lucy for misinforming people on these forums when you do exactly the same and even worse because you take every chance to portray a negative image of Mexico and Mexicans. There are many things that are wrong in this country and have to be corrected. But I know the difference between reality and misconception Jean. I respectfully ask you to admit that you are wrong in this case.RespectfullyJB

Andy in Aguas

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #13 of 36 (3534 views)

Shortcut

Be very careful buying raw fruits and aguas from street vendors

Can't Post |

Some of them do not wash their hands after using the bathroom. When I first arrived in Mexico, I bought all kinds of food from street vendors. I got hepatitis (type A), had to go to a V.A. hospital in the States, and it was two months before I was cured of it. I quit buying fruit cocktails and aguas from street vendors and started to buy only cooked food. If I buy raw fruit, I wash it before eating it.: I know that many people are afraid to eat on the street. I am not. I have had some excellent food from street vendors, and I have never been sick from it. But there is more to street vending than fast food. I have put together another web page to show some of the variety of street vendors in my town.: To view my whole web site, go the Rollybrook.com: To go directly to this new page, click below.

RexC

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #14 of 36 (3536 views)

Shortcut

Hepatitus immunity shots

Can't Post |

We sometimes do buy food from street vendors. That said, I would advise anyone that thinks they may ever be at risk of contracting Hepatitus to get the immunity shots for that disease.I am from Alaska. Hepatitus is endemic in the villages up there. My health care provider up there is The Alaska Native Hospital. I am eligible for Indian Health care, and The Native Hospital is a subcontractor for The Indian Health Service.About 20 years ago, they advised all patients to get the shots. It is one of the few programs that includes the non Indian, or non native, spouses of patients. At that time it took 3 or 4 visits to get the complete series of shots. First you are tested to see if you have ever had Hepatitus, and have developed a natural immunity. If you don't have immunity, you recieve a series of three shots. You are then tested again, to verify that the shots were efective, and that you are now immune. The immunity lasts for life, and it is effective for both Hepatitus A and B. Today, there may be a simpler method to administer the shots.Hepatitus is a very serious desease, and does cause liver damage. I highly recommend getting the immunity treatment for anyone that thinks they may be at risk of cotracting it.My work in Alaska used to take me all over the state, including many of the villages. I was definitely at risk.I know there are many other things you can get from eating food from street vendors. I think you must develop a kind of sixth sense about when to buy from them. If you can't do that, better go hungry when you see one. (not very scientific is it?)Rex : Some of them do not wash their hands after using the bathroom. When I first arrived in Mexico, I bought all kinds of food from street vendors. I got hepatitis (type A), had to go to a V.A. hospital in the States, and it was two months before I was cured of it. I quit buying fruit cocktails and aguas from street vendors and started to buy only cooked food. If I buy raw fruit, I wash it before eating it.: : I know that many people are afraid to eat on the street. I am not. I have had some excellent food from street vendors, and I have never been sick from it. But there is more to street vending than fast food. I have put together another web page to show some of the variety of street vendors in my town.: : To view my whole web site, go the Rollybrook.com: : To go directly to this new page, click below.

RexC

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #15 of 36 (3536 views)

Shortcut

Hepatitis - I think I will stick with my original advice

Can't Post |

I have read some interesting comments re: Hepatitis immunizations here. It seems like most of the negative comments are quotes from the package inserts provided with all medications. I will continue to rely on the information I received from my doctor, the doctor in charge of the immunization program, the nurses that administered the injections, etc.In my original post, I stated that it was about twenty years ago that I received those shots. I didn't think the date was important. After reading the reply posts, I thought about when did I really receive those shots? I beleive now, that it was around 1990, or in the early 90s. It was an expensive, and very thorough program, affecting many people. The Alaska Native Medical Center Hospital, and the fifteen affilliated clinics, serve several thousand people throughout the whole state. Inuits (Eskimos), Aleuts, and Indians are collectively called "Alaska Natives."The hospital is not a small local operation. It has been called the crown jewel of The U. S. Public Health Service. It is a teaching site for The Washington State regional medical education program (WAMI), it has the only level 2 trauma center in the state, and it has a federal Center For Desease control office, and laboratory.I personally, will continue to rely on their expertise. I am sure that the negative replies were posted in good faith, as are mine. I still recommend that anyone that may think they are at risk, should get the immunization shots, whatever the current medical procedure might be. I said in my original post that there may be a simpler method now. I will add that there may be changed requirements now, depending on current research results.I had some contact with the results of this desease. My late wife had Hepititis as a child. It damaged her liver. She had problems with it for the rest of her life. It is not a desease to take chances with. If you even think you may be at risk, have the shots.Well folks, I'm certainly no medical expert, so I think I will shut up about this now. Thanks for reading it.Rex : We sometimes do buy food from street vendors. That said, I would advise anyone that thinks they may ever be at risk of contracting Hepatitus to get the immunity shots for that disease.: I am from Alaska. Hepatitus is endemic in the villages up there. My health care provider up there is The Alaska Native Hospital. I am eligible for Indian Health care, and The Native Hospital is a subcontractor for The Indian Health Service.: About 20 years ago, they advised all patients to get the shots. It is one of the few programs that includes the non Indian, or non native, spouses of patients. At that time it took 3 or 4 visits to get the complete series of shots. First you are tested to see if you have ever had Hepatitus, and have developed a natural immunity. : If you don't have immunity, you recieve a series of three shots. You are then tested again, to verify that the shots were efective, and that you are now immune. The immunity lasts for life, and it is effective for both Hepatitus A and B. Today, there may be a simpler method to administer the shots.: Hepatitus is a very serious desease, and does cause liver damage. I highly recommend getting the immunity treatment for anyone that thinks they may be at risk of cotracting it.: My work in Alaska used to take me all over the state, including many of the villages. I was definitely at risk.: I know there are many other things you can get from eating food from street vendors. I think you must develop a kind of sixth sense about when to buy from them. If you can't do that, better go hungry when you see one. (not very scientific is it?): Rex: : : Some of them do not wash their hands after using the bathroom. When I first arrived in Mexico, I bought all kinds of food from street vendors. I got hepatitis (type A), had to go to a V.A. hospital in the States, and it was two months before I was cured of it. I quit buying fruit cocktails and aguas from street vendors and started to buy only cooked food. If I buy raw fruit, I wash it before eating it.: : : I know that many people are afraid to eat on the street. I am not. I have had some excellent food from street vendors, and I have never been sick from it. But there is more to street vending than fast food. I have put together another web page to show some of the variety of street vendors in my town.: : : To view my whole web site, go the Rollybrook.com: : : To go directly to this new page, click below.

Georgia

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #16 of 36 (3536 views)

Shortcut

A question about immunization

Can't Post |

If you are immunized against hepatitis A and you are exposed to it in tainted food, does it provide total protection or just reduce the severity of the disease? What about the typhoid vaccine? Same question.: RexC writes:
: "We sometimes do buy food from street vendors. That said, I would advise anyone that thinks they may ever be at risk of contracting Hepatitus to get the immunity shots for that disease.: I am from Alaska. Hepatitus is endemic in the villages up there. My health care provider up there is The Alaska Native Hospital. I am eligible for Indian Health care, and The Native Hospital is a subcontractor for The Indian Health Service.: About 20 years ago, they advised all patients to get the shots. It is one of the few programs that includes the non Indian, or non native, spouses of patients. At that time it took 3 or 4 visits to get the complete series of shots. First you are tested to see if you have ever had Hepatitus, and have developed a natural immunity. : If you don't have immunity, you recieve a series of three shots. You are then tested again, to verify that the shots were efective, and that you are now immune. The immunity lasts for life, and it is effective for both Hepatitus A and B. Today, there may be a simpler method to administer the shots.": You are meandering between two distinctly different diseases, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, and ending with an incorrect and potentially dangerous assertion "....and it is effective for both Hepatitus [sic] A and B." There are separate and distinctly different vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B; NEITHER CONFER CROSS-IMMUNITY AGAINST THE OTHER DISEASE. : Hepatitis A, caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), is transmitted by the fecal/oral route. Common methods of transfer include ingestion of contaminated food or water, or close personal contact with an infected person. Hepatitis A is endemic in many parts of the world including Central and South America, the Caribbean, parts of Asia, Africa, and southern and eastern Europe. In the US Hepatitis A falls into the top 10 most common infectious diseases, along with such goodies as gonorrhea, chicken pox, syphilis, and HIV.: Vaccines for Hepatitis A are a relatively recent development, coming onto the market approximately 10 years ago, and not actually coming into common use until the mid-90's. Prior to this time, persons who were thought to be exposed to Hepatitis A were often treated with gammaglobulin (Hepatitis A Immune Globulin, HAIG), which provided a short-term boost to the immune system. For adults, both of the two Hepatitis A vaccines on the market in the US (SmithKline Beecham's Havrix, and Merck's VAQTA) are administered in two doses, an initial dose, and a second "boosting" dose 6-12 months later (there's a single high-dose application that's been added in the past year or so apparently for use in post-exposure treatments). When the second boosting dose is used, immunity is expected to last for a lifetime. : Blood testing (antibody titers) for Hepatitis A exposure and immunity is relatively uncommon and used mostly for research or during epidemiological investigations of local outbreaks. It would be unusual to perform a titer before immunization for prior Hepatitis A exposure, or post-immunization to verify immunity. : Hepatitis B, caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), is transmitted when the blood or body fluids from an infected person enters into the body of somebody who is not immune. Common means of transmission are unprotected sex and sharing of needles and equipment used for injecting drugs; needlesticks and other sharps contacts pose exposure hazards for a number of groups of workers including those in healthcare. Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted by fecal matter or sewage, and you cannot develop Hepatitis B from eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.: Hepatitis B vaccines first came onto the market in the early 1980s. The current recombinant DNA-based vaccines (in the US GlaxoSmithKline's Engerix-B, and Merck's Recombivax HB) were introduced in the late 1980s. These vaccines are administered in three doses, an initial, one a month later, and one approximately six months following the initial (recently one of the manufacturers has had a two-dose regimen approved for adolescents). Although it's been found that serum levels of the HBV antibody decline over time, immunity from the full three vaccine series is expected to last a lifetime. Originally serological (blood) testing was conducted before vaccination to detect "latent" HBV infections, and 2-3 months following the third vaccine to verify immunity. In recent years, however, the use of blood titers has fallen off because of the increase in the percentage of the population which has been immunized, and confidence in the effectiveness of the vaccine (post-immunization titers are still generally recommended for health care professionals and others at high risk of HBV exposure).: It should be noted that in addition to Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, there's also Hepatitis C, D, and E/G. Currently there are no vaccines on the market to prevent infections from these somewhat rarer forms of Hepatitis.

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #17 of 36 (3538 views)

Shortcut

BAD INFORMATION!!

Can't Post |

RexC writes:
"We sometimes do buy food from street vendors. That said, I would advise anyone that thinks they may ever be at risk of contracting Hepatitus to get the immunity shots for that disease.I am from Alaska. Hepatitus is endemic in the villages up there. My health care provider up there is The Alaska Native Hospital. I am eligible for Indian Health care, and The Native Hospital is a subcontractor for The Indian Health Service.About 20 years ago, they advised all patients to get the shots. It is one of the few programs that includes the non Indian, or non native, spouses of patients. At that time it took 3 or 4 visits to get the complete series of shots. First you are tested to see if you have ever had Hepatitus, and have developed a natural immunity. If you don't have immunity, you recieve a series of three shots. You are then tested again, to verify that the shots were efective, and that you are now immune. The immunity lasts for life, and it is effective for both Hepatitus A and B. Today, there may be a simpler method to administer the shots."You are meandering between two distinctly different diseases, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, and ending with an incorrect and potentially dangerous assertion "....and it is effective for both Hepatitus [sic] A and B." There are separate and distinctly different vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B; NEITHER CONFER CROSS-IMMUNITY AGAINST THE OTHER DISEASE. Hepatitis A, caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), is transmitted by the fecal/oral route. Common methods of transfer include ingestion of contaminated food or water, or close personal contact with an infected person. Hepatitis A is endemic in many parts of the world including Central and South America, the Caribbean, parts of Asia, Africa, and southern and eastern Europe. In the US Hepatitis A falls into the top 10 most common infectious diseases, along with such goodies as gonorrhea, chicken pox, syphilis, and HIV.Vaccines for Hepatitis A are a relatively recent development, coming onto the market approximately 10 years ago, and not actually coming into common use until the mid-90's. Prior to this time, persons who were thought to be exposed to Hepatitis A were often treated with gammaglobulin (Hepatitis A Immune Globulin, HAIG), which provided a short-term boost to the immune system. For adults, both of the two Hepatitis A vaccines on the market in the US (SmithKline Beecham's Havrix, and Merck's VAQTA) are administered in two doses, an initial dose, and a second "boosting" dose 6-12 months later (there's a single high-dose application that's been added in the past year or so apparently for use in post-exposure treatments). When the second boosting dose is used, immunity is expected to last for a lifetime. Blood testing (antibody titers) for Hepatitis A exposure and immunity is relatively uncommon and used mostly for research or during epidemiological investigations of local outbreaks. It would be unusual to perform a titer before immunization for prior Hepatitis A exposure, or post-immunization to verify immunity. Hepatitis B, caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), is transmitted when the blood or body fluids from an infected person enters into the body of somebody who is not immune. Common means of transmission are unprotected sex and sharing of needles and equipment used for injecting drugs; needlesticks and other sharps contacts pose exposure hazards for a number of groups of workers including those in healthcare. Hepatitis B is NOT transmitted by fecal matter or sewage, and you cannot develop Hepatitis B from eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.Hepatitis B vaccines first came onto the market in the early 1980s. The current recombinant DNA-based vaccines (in the US GlaxoSmithKline's Engerix-B, and Merck's Recombivax HB) were introduced in the late 1980s. These vaccines are administered in three doses, an initial, one a month later, and one approximately six months following the initial (recently one of the manufacturers has had a two-dose regimen approved for adolescents). Although it's been found that serum levels of the HBV antibody decline over time, immunity from the full three vaccine series is expected to last a lifetime. Originally serological (blood) testing was conducted before vaccination to detect "latent" HBV infections, and 2-3 months following the third vaccine to verify immunity. In recent years, however, the use of blood titers has fallen off because of the increase in the percentage of the population which has been immunized, and confidence in the effectiveness of the vaccine (post-immunization titers are still generally recommended for health care professionals and others at high risk of HBV exposure).It should be noted that in addition to Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, there's also Hepatitis C, D, and E/G. Currently there are no vaccines on the market to prevent infections from these somewhat rarer forms of Hepatitis.

SPUD2

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #18 of 36 (3534 views)

Shortcut

SmithKline Beecham Twinrix

Can't Post |

: "SPUD2" writes:
: At present (I got my vacinations in 2000 )you can get a combined hepatis A and B vacination from SmithKline Beecham, called TWINRIX.
: You need 3 shots at 0,1,and 6 month intervals.
: It is recommended that a booster dose will probably not be required earlier than 5 years following initiation of the primary vaccination course.: =====: SmithKline Beecham Twinrix is simply a combination of the antigenic components of two other SmithKline Beecham products, Havrix (their Hepatitis A vaccine) and Engerix-B (their Hepatitis B vaccine) into a common carrier solution. What this translates to is that you're getting two separate vaccinations in the same injection. The problem with this approach, as I see it, is that the less informed come away with the impression that they've been immunized against "Hepatitis" (or is that "Hepatitus"), still be vulnerable to Hepatitis C, E/G, and other emerging viruses, and possibly even engage in risky behaviors believing themselves to be immune. Additionally, the combination wastes a dose of the Hepatitis A antigen, which could otherwise have been used to vaccinate an additional person in an at-risk group. Finally, I believe the combined injection reduces the likelihood that an individual is going to consider their risk profile for each individual disease and take other steps, which may improve their overall health and well-being. I would view the combined injection to be beneficial for infants and children because it reduces the total number of injections needed and thereby reducing parent resistance to vaccinations because of perceived infant and childhood trauma. Unfortunately, SmithKline Beecham has not obtained approval to sell Twinrix for administration to infants and children, making Twinrix in my mind to be nothing more than a marketing ploy at this time.: With regards to booster injections neither the manufacturers of the vaccines, nor the ACIP and NCID are recommending booster injections at this time. I'm not sure if you're trying to tell us something else by including the rather convoluted statement "It is recommended that a booster dose will probably not be required earlier than 5 years following initiation of the primary vaccination course" in your message.Wrong again big boy !
The "rather convoluted statement ",is not mine, it is taken verbatium from the literature that comes with TWINRIX.

SPUD2

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #19 of 36 (3535 views)

Shortcut

BAD INFORMATION!!

Can't Post |

There are separate and distinctly different vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B; NEITHER CONFER CROSS-IMMUNITY AGAINST THE OTHER DISEASE. 
Hi ET
At present (I got my vacinations in 2000 )you can get a combined hepatis A and B vacination from SmithKline Beecham, called TWINRIX.
You need 3 shots at 0,1,and 6 month intervals.
It is recommended that a booster dose will probably not be required earlier than 5 years following initiation of the primary vaccination course.

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #20 of 36 (3534 views)

Shortcut

SmithKline Beecham Twinrix

Can't Post |

"SPUD2" writes:
At present (I got my vacinations in 2000 )you can get a combined hepatis A and B vacination from SmithKline Beecham, called TWINRIX.
You need 3 shots at 0,1,and 6 month intervals.
It is recommended that a booster dose will probably not be required earlier than 5 years following initiation of the primary vaccination course.=====SmithKline Beecham Twinrix is simply a combination of the antigenic components of two other SmithKline Beecham products, Havrix (their Hepatitis A vaccine) and Engerix-B (their Hepatitis B vaccine) into a common carrier solution. What this translates to is that you're getting two separate vaccinations in the same injection. The problem with this approach, as I see it, is that the less informed come away with the impression that they've been immunized against "Hepatitis" (or is that "Hepatitus"), still be vulnerable to Hepatitis C, E/G, and other emerging viruses, and possibly even engage in risky behaviors believing themselves to be immune. Additionally, the combination wastes a dose of the Hepatitis A antigen, which could otherwise have been used to vaccinate an additional person in an at-risk group. Finally, I believe the combined injection reduces the likelihood that an individual is going to consider their risk profile for each individual disease and take other steps, which may improve their overall health and well-being. I would view the combined injection to be beneficial for infants and children because it reduces the total number of injections needed and thereby reducing parent resistance to vaccinations because of perceived infant and childhood trauma. Unfortunately, SmithKline Beecham has not obtained approval to sell Twinrix for administration to infants and children, making Twinrix in my mind to be nothing more than a marketing ploy at this time.With regards to booster injections neither the manufacturers of the vaccines, nor the ACIP and NCID are recommending booster injections at this time. I'm not sure if you're trying to tell us something else by including the rather convoluted statement "It is recommended that a booster dose will probably not be required earlier than 5 years following initiation of the primary vaccination course" in your message.

Loco

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #21 of 36 (3535 views)

Shortcut

Hey ... come on!!!

Can't Post |

You (and Sam - maybe the same) sound like you've never delt with street/beach vendors. Some are persistant and some take NO for an answer quickly so they can move on. Some make an art of selling and some are bored to death.Personally I think your're just having a bad day and want to give someone a hard time. Don't really think Rolly should be your fodder.

SPUD2

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #22 of 36 (3534 views)

Shortcut

BAD INFORMATION!!

Can't Post |

Abq

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #23 of 36 (3535 views)

Shortcut

Street Food

Can't Post |

I love it and elote is a personal favorite. I must an iron stomach as well because I never get tourista from it either. Great pics. Thank you for sharing.----------------------------ow that many people are afraid to eat on the street. I am not. I have had some excellent food from street vendors, and I have never been sick from it. But there is more to street vending than fast food. I have put together another web page to show some of the variety of street vendors in my town.: To view my whole web site, go the Rollybrook.com: To go directly to this new page, click below.

Dale

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #24 of 36 (3534 views)

Shortcut

Street Vendors

Can't Post |

Rolly, Great page. Also your web site is superb. Recommended viewing!!! As always, is a pleasure reading your posts and viewing your work. Thanks for sharing. Dale

Lucy

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #25 of 36 (3534 views)

Shortcut

hay Rolly

Can't Post |

some of these guys haven't had the opportunity to beat me up in the past few days so they decided YOU would be their target today. I enjoyed your pics. Keep up the wonderful job. 
: I know that many people are afraid to eat on the street. I am not. I have had some excellent food from street vendors, and I have never been sick from it. But there is more to street vending than fast food. I have put together another web page to show some of the variety of street vendors in my town.: To view my whole web site, go the Rollybrook.com: To go directly to this new page, click below.

1 2 View All