"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> Janet Wilder wrote:
>>
>> On 1/23/2015 7:17 PM, Xeno wrote:
>> > On 24/01/2015 12:04 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>> >> On 1/23/2015 6:07 PM, Xeno wrote:
>> >>> On 24/01/2015 10:32 AM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>> >
>> > <snip>
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> Thanks for the story. I am now well warned.
>> >>
>> >> I will only drink bottled water when we are ashore. I guess we should
>> >> be wary of raw vegetables as well as they are washed in the water.
>> >>
>> >> I have to start taking my malaria preventative pills next Friday. One
>> >> a
>> >> week for two weeks before leaving. One a week while gone and one a
>> >> week
>> >> for 4 weeks after coming home. I am bringing 98% Deet spray as well
>> >> as
>> >> spraying certain items of clothing with a special insect repellant
>> >> spray.
>> >>
>> > One more thing I might warn you of. The insect sprays you use at home
>> > may not work abroad. I found that with a common spray in use here -
>> > aeroguard. It works for me here but, in Thailand, it seemed to attract
>> > the mossies! I was forced to use the local varieties. They worked..
>> >
>> I'll keep that in mind, though everything I've read says that the
>> highest percentage of DEET should work.
>
> I've always wondered about applying insect repellent to your skin on a
> frequent basis. It *does* soak into your skin. Perhaps you should look
> into that. It can't be good for you and your immune system is already
> working full time without that.
>
> And then the water issues and the raw or undercooked food issues...
> Those people that live over there are used to it and somewhat immune
> to it. USAins are too sterile and fragile without all the shots and
> precautions.
>
> I had a chance to go there 40-some years ago, all expenses paid. I
> declined the offer. And you're paying your own money to go there?
>
> As for me, I'm content to google Vietnam or watch a documentary. And
> I'll let Andrew Zimmern tell me about the local food. And sw can
> tell me about the cuisine from the top Vietnamese neighborhoods in the
> U.S.

I don't use insect repellent or sun screen. I just make sure I have screens
everywhere and stay indoors.