Foire Aux Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PHAGE THERAPY
Below is a compilation of frequently asked questions regarding phage therapy, along with their corresponding answers.
Throughout the 100-year history of phage therapy, no significant side effects have been reported. The few side effects that have been identified include a temporary rise in temperature for one to two hours (similar to antibiotic therapy) and rare instances of mild diarrhea.
It is worth noting that in cases where phage therapy is administered through inhalation for lung infections, some patients have experienced difficulties in tolerating the inhalations and had to discontinue the treatment. However, these instances pose no immediate danger.
It is worth noting that in cases where phage therapy is administered through inhalation for lung infections, some patients have experienced difficulties in tolerating the inhalations and had to discontinue the treatment. However, these instances pose no immediate danger.
The challenge associated with phage therapy lies in its lack of patentability. To obtain a patent, it is typically required to create something new. However, in the case of phage therapy, it simply mimics nature. The process involves extracting phages from the environment, filtering them, and administering them. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies hold the monopoly over conducting clinical trials, which are not only costly but also require a minimum duration of 10 years. Given that phage therapy does not offer a lucrative financial return, no laboratory is willing to invest in financing clinical studies for a therapy that may yield no significant profits.
Furthermore, phage therapy is distinct from conventional chemical-based treatments, as it necessitates specific phage quantities for each bacterial strain. Ideally, a clinical study should be conducted for each phage and for each specific condition, which is impractical to achieve. Consequently, regulatory frameworks should adapt to accommodate the unique nature of phage therapy, as the opposite approach would be infeasible.
For further information, please refer to the "Where to be treated by phage therapy" page for additional details.
Furthermore, phage therapy is distinct from conventional chemical-based treatments, as it necessitates specific phage quantities for each bacterial strain. Ideally, a clinical study should be conducted for each phage and for each specific condition, which is impractical to achieve. Consequently, regulatory frameworks should adapt to accommodate the unique nature of phage therapy, as the opposite approach would be infeasible.
For further information, please refer to the "Where to be treated by phage therapy" page for additional details.
The duration of a phage therapy treatment varies depending on factors such as the individual patient and their specific medical condition. Unlike antibiotics, phage therapy is a highly personalized treatment approach. Typically, the treatment spans several weeks with intermittent breaks to avoid the development of phage resistance by the bacteria. In general, a minimum quantity of one hundred vials (equivalent to 20 boxes of 5 vials) is recommended to be taken over a period of 1.5 to 3 months.
For more comprehensive information, please visit the "Phage therapy treatment" page for further details.
For more comprehensive information, please visit the "Phage therapy treatment" page for further details.
Although phage therapy is well-tolerated without side effects, it is important to acknowledge that it is a medical treatment. To ensure its effectiveness, it is crucial to conduct testing with different phages to determine the most suitable ones for targeting the specific bacterium. Additionally, seeking guidance from a medical professional is highly recommended. A doctor can provide valuable advice, prescribe the appropriate phages based on symptoms and test results, determine the necessary quantity, and administer them correctly.
Due to these reasons, self-medication in the context of phage therapy is highly unlikely to succeed, with a failure rate estimated at around 95%.
Due to these reasons, self-medication in the context of phage therapy is highly unlikely to succeed, with a failure rate estimated at around 95%.
Making an appointment is absolutely essential. Prior to scheduling, it is necessary to submit a medical file and await a response from the doctors. They may decline to see patients if they determine that phage therapy would not be beneficial or if the patient's health condition poses significant risks.
To submit your medical file, kindly complete the provided form. It will be translated, forwarded to Georgian doctors, and a response will be sent via email within a few days:
Medical Questionnaire
To submit your medical file, kindly complete the provided form. It will be translated, forwarded to Georgian doctors, and a response will be sent via email within a few days:
Medical Questionnaire
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GEORGIA
Here is a list of common questions we frequently receive, along with their respective answers. We hope these responses will provide you with valuable insights and help you save time.
No, if you are a resident of any European country within the Schengen area, you only need a valid identity card, passport, or Schengen residence permit with at least 6 months of remaining validity to enter Georgia.
No vaccines are mandatory for travel to Georgia. However, it is recommended to ensure that you are up to date with essential vaccines such as DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis) for all individuals. Additionally, it is advisable for children to have received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. Vaccination against tuberculosis is also desirable.
Overall, Georgia is considered a very safe country to visit. In fact, Geo magazine ranked it as the 4th safest country in the world for travelers (source: https://www.geo.fr/voyage/les-pays-les-plus-surs-pour-les-voyageurs-solo-206794).
However, it is important to be aware of certain risks:
Seismic Activity: Georgia is located in a region prone to seismic activity, so occasional earthquakes can occur.
Road Safety: It is worth noting that some Georgian drivers may have poor driving habits. Although road signage is improving, there may still be some shortcomings in this regard.
Avalanches and Landslides: As a mountainous country, Georgia experiences occasional heavy rains, which can lead to rockfalls, landslides, and avalanches. This is particularly true during the spring season when intense rainfall and rising temperatures are more common.
It is always recommended to stay informed, follow safety guidelines, and exercise caution while traveling in Georgia.
However, it is important to be aware of certain risks:
Seismic Activity: Georgia is located in a region prone to seismic activity, so occasional earthquakes can occur.
Road Safety: It is worth noting that some Georgian drivers may have poor driving habits. Although road signage is improving, there may still be some shortcomings in this regard.
Avalanches and Landslides: As a mountainous country, Georgia experiences occasional heavy rains, which can lead to rockfalls, landslides, and avalanches. This is particularly true during the spring season when intense rainfall and rising temperatures are more common.
It is always recommended to stay informed, follow safety guidelines, and exercise caution while traveling in Georgia.
No, as mentioned earlier, Georgia is considered to be a notably safe country. Incidents of personal attacks are infrequent, with 4.5 times fewer incidents per million inhabitants compared to France (for example). The people of Georgia are generally welcoming and hospitable. The widespread use of surveillance cameras and frequent police patrols has contributed to effectively reducing crime levels that were more prevalent in the 1990s.
Nevertheless, isolated instances of pickpocketing may still occur, albeit rarely.
Nevertheless, isolated instances of pickpocketing may still occur, albeit rarely.
Due to Georgia's historical association with the USSR, it is often mistakenly assumed to have Siberian-like cold temperatures. However, this is not the case.
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is situated at a similar latitude to Rome. The weather in Georgia is more akin to that of southeastern France or northern Spain. In general, winters tend to be relatively mild, with exceptions, ranging from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius during the day and slightly below freezing at night. Snowfall is rare, or at least limited. Conversely, summers are characterized by hot and predominantly dry conditions, with temperatures averaging around 30 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Therefore, it is important to note that Georgia experiences a climate more akin to the southeastern Mediterranean region, with mild winters and hot, dry summers.
Yes, you are allowed to bring your medication to Georgia as long as you have a valid medical prescription.
However, it is crucial to note that Georgian regulations are extremely strict and severe when it comes to the possession and trafficking of narcotics. As a result, certain medications used for severe pain relief or addiction treatment (such as morphine derivatives and other psychotropic substances) are highly regulated.
To ensure compliance with the regulations, I recommend consulting the dedicated page on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country. This will provide you with detailed information and guidelines regarding the importation of medications into Georgia.
However, it is crucial to note that Georgian regulations are extremely strict and severe when it comes to the possession and trafficking of narcotics. As a result, certain medications used for severe pain relief or addiction treatment (such as morphine derivatives and other psychotropic substances) are highly regulated.
To ensure compliance with the regulations, I recommend consulting the dedicated page on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country. This will provide you with detailed information and guidelines regarding the importation of medications into Georgia.
