Ticks, Encephalitis and Shots

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The Czech Republic is crawling with ticks in the woods and grassy areas in the spring and summer. Not the nice big dog ticks (thought they do love dogs too) but the nasty ones that live on deer and are so small you can't see them without a very careful inspection. They are about the size of a tiny freckle. Bill disagrees and says that would be a fat tick that they are the size of a period. Not only do they carry Lyme Disease but also another nasty disease, Encephalitis. There are even posters in the subways and on the trams telling people to get the shot for Encephalitis. Last year we thought the shot we were being encouraged to get was for Lyme Disease. We opted out. The shot for Lyme Disease isn't all that effective and if a person has had the shot they will always test positive for Lyme Disease when titers are checked. Then that person would end up having to take antibiotics each time they had a tick stuck to them. Our doctor in Annapolis had advised us against that shot years ago. We did not feel that was a wise choice, so we did not take the shot. This year we realized the shots are for Encephalitis and after we read all the information at the Canadian Clinic, we felt this was a shot, well a series of three shots, that we should take.

You folk in the States do not need to worry about tick-borne Encephalitis. Ticks do not carry it there and lets hope they never do. In fact, much of Western Europe does not have this disease, but the Czech Republic is a hot bed for this really nasty illness.

So, we went for our second shot today. We had our first shot a month ago. The third shot is supposed to be taken in nine to twelve months after the second shot. So, when we are back in the Czech Republic next winter (we hope) we will take the last of the series. After that you need to take a booster every three years. That will make us good-to-go for hiking and being in grassy/forested areas of Europe at least as long as our bodies are strong enough to hike.

We got the shots at the Canadian Clinic. It is not far from the seminary, one bus stop and then the third tram stop. Actually we could walk from the bus stop on a nice day. The clinic, as the name implies, is owned and operated by Canadians. The doctors and nurses we have seen there are all Czech, all speak English and all seemed very competent. I did not feel the needle when she gave me the shot today at all.

The clinic is located in an old, beautiful building. Formerly it was a rich person's home. Next door is a long low building that must have been the stable. When I went to the clinic in the winter when my bp was giving me a problem I told them how lovely the place was. They said I should see the upstairs area if I wanted to see something fantastic that the wood floors, etc. were just wonderful. They also said the grounds were beautiful in the spring. Yesterday when we were there we could see all the spring bushes and flowers and had to agree it is even nicer in the spring time.

The children's area of the clinic is just so nice! I hadn't noticed the train track around the walls before. The track itself is mounted high above the floor and goes through the doorways on each side as well as around the walls so the little train can go around the tracks without having to stop anywhere. It goes slowly enough that it doesn't jump the tracks. Bill got some pictures of it.

I wasn't afraid of the shot but the picture Bill is putting up makes me look rather anxious. I guess I am always anxious for the needle to be pulled back out of my arm even if it doesn't hurt. It is a most unpleasant thought left over from childhood when I was terrified of innoculations. I found it amusing that though I am no longer scared of needles, nurses, etc. I still get a look on my face and in my body language which seems to say "Help!!!".

When I first went to the clinic all the sculptures were half covered with snow. I am not certain of the background of the photos but the one of the boy and girl leaning against each other reading their newspapers says "In our differences we unite" The boy is African American and is reading the Toronto Times the girl is Caucasian American and is reading the New York Times. I don't know why they are there but the sentiment is obviously lovely. Bill noticed he is reading the front page news and she is reading the entertainment section. He says the boy is deciding the important things like How shall we handle Iraq? or How can we settle the national debt? and she is deciding the unimportant things like Where shall we go for supper? What play shall we enjoy together tonight? You know how it always is the guys discuss World Peace and the gals discuss educating the children and feeding the family. Sort of who deals in the theoretical and who deals in the practical. Wow is that sexist enough for us these days?

The father and son in the hammock look so relaxed and happy. Until yesterday I had not noticed the dog. I think he was where the snow had been piled up!

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Photos

The Train in the Children's Room
Bill Miller, you would love it.

Art Work Outside the Clinic
A different view.

Comments

[Melanie]

Another Interpretation
I, for one, am quite sure that the woman read the Front Page first, and then handed it to the man when he ran out of things to read - you know, coming unprepared and all.... :-)