BEIJING, CHINA

GENERAL

     ROAD SAFETY IN CHINA IS NON-EXISTANT. CHINA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST DEATH RATE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS IN THE WORLD. PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS ARE AT A SIGNIFICANT RISK. BE AWARE.

    DEHYDRATION IS SOMETHING YOU MUST AVOID. DRINK PLENTY OF BOTTLED WATER THROUGH THE DAY. AVOID SUNBURN BY USING SUNSCREEN . TO AVOID HEAT EXHAUSTING AND DEHYDRATION, TRY NOT TO DO STRENEOUS ACTIVITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY WHEN THE SUN IS AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL.

    TRAVELERS' DIARRHEA IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR TRAVELERS. DRINK ONLY BOTTLED WATER AND IF NOT AVAILABLE THE BEST WAY TO STERILIZE WATER IS BY BOILING FOR ONE MINITE . STRICT FOOD AND WATER PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE USUAL ANTIBIOTIC WE RECOMMEND FOR TRAVELERS' DIARRHEA, CIPRO, IS NO LONGER THE DRUG OF CHOICE. AZITHROMYCIN IS NOW THE DRUG OF CHOICE FOR TRAVELERS' DIARRHEA IN ASIA.

VACCINATIONS

NO VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED EXCEPT  YELLOW FEVER IF TRAVELING FROM AN ENDEMIC COUNTRY IN THE YELLOW FEVER BELT OF SOUTH AMERICA OR AFRICA. YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION IS NOT REQUIRED WHEN TRAVELING FROM THE UNITED STATES.

ESSENTIAL VACCINATIONS

   TETANUS/DIPTHERIA 

   HEPATITIS A

A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE

   HEPATITIS B 

   TYPHOID 

   FLU SHOT   - IMPORTANT WITH THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE FOR THE GAMES.

   ADULT POLIO BOOSTER  -  USUALLY NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHINA BUT WTH THE LARGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE FOR THE GAMES IT WON'T HURT.