Agatha Bertram Travels

Travels with my aunt and some others

  • Remarkable
    • Communities
    • Exploits and Expeditions
    • Food
    • People
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Americas
  • Asia
    • India
    • Japan
    • Vietnam
  • Australia
  • Europe
    • France
  • Useful
    • Books
    • Events
    • Health
    • Travel
  • About
    • AKA Agatha Bertram
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

Against ‘La Rage’ – or About Vaccines

March 3, 2015 by AggieB 12 Comments

rabiesLast week I went to get a rabies vaccination.  My sister, the public health specialist (1) recommended it because I’m going to India for a couple of months.

In Australia I went to the travel doctor and had a gazillion vaccinations to bring everything up to date.  But before I could complete the course of rabies injections I had to leave the country.  The only possibility for the third jab was in France.

OK, no problems (only solutions) – as we say in the events industry.

The difficulty in France as I found out is that you have to order the vaccine, make an appointment with the infermière, pick up the vaccine and then have the vaccine.  All in my inadequate French.

Good news!  There is a doctor, but not an infermière in the building!  After listening in on a telephone conversation, Vincent may or may not have rung him or her, and they are going to come to the apartment to give me the jab!

Blimey.  Over and above.

The process reminds me of the Times of Interesting Diseases.  When I worked in the Australian Embassy in Hanoi the local hospitals were still in disarray and we visited the Swedish-Embassy based Clinic to get medical  treatment.  Having tummy problems was such a common occurence that we would brazenly hand poo samples over the counter, with no shame.  Once I had amoebic cysts, another I was just really sick.  Completely put me off fevers as an excuse for a day off work but I won’t go too much into descriptions (black poo).

Phoebe (2) worked for Australian Volunteers Abroad, and seemed not to have the same access to the Swedish Clinic.  She took herself to the local hospital and they took her to a laboratory within the hospital, gave her a microscope and a book and told her to diagnose herself …  AND SHE DID!   She doesn’t remember this, but I’m pretty sure it is true.

The system in Chile, which think was a good one, is that you go straight to a specialist rather than go to a GP first like in Australia.  There I had ‘parasitos muy abundante‘.

Back in France, rabies is called ‘la rage‘.  (I’m pretty excited about that, as you can imagine).   I Google Translate ‘avez vous le vaccine contre la rage‘ and the Plan B ‘do you know where I can get the vaccine against la rage‘.   The local pharmacy lady doesn’t have the vaccine and says that only the Tropical Diseases section of the hospital (‘Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales‘) or a vet would stock it.

No time like the present, so I jump on the tram to the end of the line – Hopital du Nord and once there follow the signs saying ‘Ebola’.

At the Service des Maladies I find some very helpful people.  No, I havn’t been bitten by a dog, I am going to India. Of course!  Please wait here and a doctor will see you.   Jackpot – maybe they not only have the vaccine but will administer it as well.   Now remember my inadequate French ability here.   The answer seemed to be that I was not French, so I would have to back to the city, find a pharmacy, order the vaccine and then see an infermière.  Sigh.

I go to a bigger pharmacy and they say that not only will they order the vaccine but it will be available tomorrow morning.   In time for my appointment at home.

Excellent, I love France!

Have you had to go to a doc while overseas?  How was your experience?  Hopefully for nothing serious!

(1)  you’ll hear more about my sister, she is the voice of logic.

(2)  you’ll hear more about Phoebe as well.   Hijinks!

And speaking of Phoebe, this post is linked  to #AllAboutFrance which is a blog hop hosted by Phoebe via her Lou Messugo website.   If you are a blogger get on it http://www.loumessugo.com/en/blog/entry/all-about-france-link-up.   If you are looking for a Gite in the South of France – get on her website – http://www.loumessugo.com/en/

Lou Messugo

 

  • Tweet
  • Share 0
  • Reddit
  • +1
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn 0

Filed Under: Asia, France, Health, Travel, Useful, Vietnam

Comments

  1. Phoebe @ Lou Messugo says

    March 5, 2015 at 10:26 am

    Oh I can see there’s going to be trouble with Agatha Bertram and her stories from the past! You say I don’t remember this anecdote, well once you reminded me I certainly did! I remember clearly cycling out to the far suburbs of Hanoi thinking Oh god if I have an accident, not that I’m wearing mismatched underwear, but that I’m carrying my own poo in a pot! Which could go everywhere!! And I remember being mortified by the smell…..perhaps that really is enough information! Thanks for linking up and welcome to the blogging world! So happy to have you here (even if I may live to regret saying that!!)

    Reply
    • AggieB says

      March 5, 2015 at 3:57 pm

      Hahaha! Phoebe, I might have to think of a pseudonym for you, because I think you will feature in a few of my reminiscing blogs ;).

      Reply
  2. AussieFrance says

    March 5, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    You had to buy your vaccine and take it to the nurse to have the jab. In some cases, you have to buy your own disinfectant and compresses!

    I would have thought all the pharmacies would have been willing to order the vaccine though!

    Reply
    • AggieB says

      March 5, 2015 at 1:12 pm

      Oh no! So it could have been more complicated! ;). I look forward to reading more about a fellow Aussie in France.

      Reply
  3. Emily says

    March 5, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    This made me giggle. Why have a one-step process when you can have a process involving several stages? I sometimes wonder whether it is done specially so that you can feel a bigger sense of achievement at the end…

    Reply
    • AggieB says

      March 5, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      Ha! Just read your posting about running and the honesty of French people. Another step in the path of understanding my partner !! thanks for the comment 🙂

      Reply
  4. Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault says

    March 16, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    Phoebe recommended I read this post and I can see why, it was a good read! I had to get tetanus jabs for the boys and where-as in the UK you ring up the doctor’s surgery and get an appointment there with the nurse of course it is totally different in France. First get your prescription from the doctor, then go to the pharmacy to buy the vaccine then go back to the doctor who administers the jab! Oh and I found it rather strange having to post my own cervical smear as I am sure the post lady knew exactly what I was handing over to her in the post office! #AllAboutFrance

    Reply
    • AggieB says

      March 22, 2015 at 11:50 am

      Hi Rosie, apologies for the delay in replying – I’m on the road in India at the moment. Post your cervical smear!! I havn’t crossed that bridge yet!

      Reply
      • Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault says

        March 24, 2015 at 5:29 pm

        So Phoebe says – have a great time and don’t get any worm infestations!

        Reply
        • AggieB says

          April 2, 2015 at 2:57 am

          thanks ! So far so good …

          Reply
  5. Nina says

    March 17, 2015 at 11:43 am

    Typical French – that’s my only comment 🙂

    Reply
    • AggieB says

      March 22, 2015 at 11:51 am

      Hahaha! me too.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to AggieB Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to receive periodic wraps of the most popular posts.

Search

Thought for today

Follow the trip that Gandalf and Co did over the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, with a view of the volcanic landscapes and Mt Ngauruhoe which featured as ‘Mt Doom’.   Not far from Mt Doom is beautiful Lake Taupo

New Zealand, Feb 2022

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

#Aggiebtravels

aggiebtravels

This was unexpected - emergency window cleaning du This was unexpected - emergency window cleaning during the match in Mumbai  #cwc23
The incredible cricket stadium in Dharamsala. Bac The incredible cricket stadium in Dharamsala.  Backed by the Himalayas.  #incredibleindia #cwc23
The custard apple lady, Hyderabad #incredibleindia The custard apple lady, Hyderabad #incredibleindia #exoticfruit
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library #dubai #booklovers # Mohammed Bin Rashid Library  #dubai  #booklovers #firsteditionbooks
Spending some quality time with the fam - Denmark Spending some quality time with the fam - Denmark on the south coast of west Australia @discoverdenmarkwa
Instagram post 17983434584134993 Instagram post 17983434584134993
Buildings in Bucharest - we were given cake at chu Buildings in Bucharest - we were given cake at churches because it was (still) Easter, saw the statue of King Karel I who was a German Prince, invited by the Romanians to be King, and finally the Houses of Parliament, second biggest government building after the Pentagon.  Built by President Ceaucescu while the economy was in tatters. 

#bucharest #romania #trekkup #trekkupdubai
A day in the life - Transnistria. We had lots mcg A day in the life - Transnistria.  We had lots mcg with the lady in the first pic, one of the few remaining statues of Lenin, market shopping and a memorial to people who died at Chernobyl #transnistria #tiraspol #moldova #trekkup
Meeting a monk today who has lived in a cave for t Meeting a monk today who has lived in a cave for the last 20 years, outside Chișinău in Moldova.
Walking in the Wadi Abadilah. Taking advantage of Walking in the Wadi Abadilah.  Taking advantage of the winter weather ! #uae
Starting the new year with an early morning run 🏃‍♀️ #dubaicanal
Attack birds - photo of a stranger. #gnarabup #we Attack birds - photo of a stranger.  #gnarabup #westernaustralia
Family time in Perth (and south). Family time in Perth (and south).
80,000 people, a drinks break and a light show at 80,000 people, a drinks break and a light show at the MCG.  The final match of the Men's Cricket T20 World Cup.  #PAKvENG
I have so many memories associated with manual sco I have so many memories associated with manual scoreboard day in cricket.  Now a new one - Adelaide Oval #MT20worldcup
Perth by night #perthstadium Perth by night #perthstadium
Southbank, rain on the way! #Melbourne. Southbank, rain on the way!  #Melbourne.
Thanks to @vavien75 and Pierre for their hospitali Thanks to @vavien75 and Pierre for their hospitality in Bretagne BZH.  Overnight in St Malo before a ferry back to Jersey and a flight back to Dubai.  As I was flying out, I thought at first that Guernsey was really big, before I realized it was France 🇫🇷 😂😂
Last day in Jersey. What a beautiful place ! #ch Last day in Jersey.  What a beautiful place !  #channelislands #wartunnels #elizabethcastle
Jersey in the morning. Elizabeth Castle, St Helie Jersey in the morning.  Elizabeth Castle, St Helier #jersey #channelislands
Load More Follow on Instagram

#allaboutfrance

Lou Messugo

Affiliates

Web Hosting

Categories

Africa & Middle East Americas Asia Australia Books Communities Equipment Europe Events Exploits and Expeditions Food France General Health India India Japan Japan Markets Movies New Zealand Oman People Remarkable Snapshots St Etienne Travel Uncategorised Useful Vietnam

Archives

  • July 2023 (2)
  • July 2020 (1)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • January 2020 (1)
  • December 2019 (1)
  • November 2019 (1)
  • February 2019 (1)
  • January 2019 (1)
  • December 2018 (1)
  • November 2018 (1)
  • October 2018 (2)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • January 2018 (1)
  • December 2017 (1)
  • November 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • August 2017 (1)
  • July 2017 (2)
  • June 2017 (2)
  • May 2017 (2)
  • April 2017 (1)
  • March 2017 (2)
  • February 2017 (2)
  • January 2017 (1)
  • November 2016 (2)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (1)
  • August 2016 (2)
  • July 2016 (4)
  • June 2016 (3)
  • May 2016 (2)
  • April 2016 (2)
  • March 2016 (3)
  • February 2016 (3)
  • January 2016 (2)
  • December 2015 (3)
  • October 2015 (1)
  • September 2015 (1)
  • August 2015 (1)
  • July 2015 (5)
  • June 2015 (3)
  • April 2015 (2)
  • March 2015 (5)
2016 03 bike_white

Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

All content, layouts, designs, and graphics are my own unless otherwise noted. Logo and Illustrations by Ignacio Brito
2016 03 suitcase_white

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in