Travel and your health
What You Need to Know Before you Go…
Traveling is Fun
But Getting Sick on Vacation is Not!
Travel, especially international travel, can pose serious risks to health. Travelers may encounter sudden and significant changes in altitude, humidity, bacteria, and temperature, which can result in ill-health.
In addition, serious diseases, and other health risks. like diarrhea or insect bites, may arise in areas where accommodation is of poor quality, or where hygiene and sanitation are inadequate. Many of these risks are preventable with vaccines and medication.
Medical services in remote areas or underdeveloped countries may not be of the highest quality. For this reason prevention is the best defense. But, in case of an emergency, you may want peace of mind with Travel Insurance.
Whether you are going on a tour to Machu Picchu, on an African safari, bicycling in Cambodia, or simply just off on you own adventure, you can find everything you need to know to keep you healthy before you go.
Bring Home Souvenirs, Not Disease!
What Are Travel Vaccines?
Visiting another country can put you at risk for diseases that may not normally be found in the United States. Depending on your planned destination, you may need travel vaccines or medications in addition to your routine immunization booster shots. Getting vaccinated against certain diseases is one of the most effective things you can do to protect your health abroad.
You may come into contact with diseases that are rare in the United States. For example, although measles is rare in the United States, it is more common in other countries. Measles outbreaks happen frequently in many popular destinations in Europe and beyond. Typhoid, malaria, and yellow fever are common in other parts of the world —don’t go unprotected!
Your doctor may not carry travel vaccines and you may have to visit a medical clinic. Many travel vaccines require multiple shots or take time to become fully effective. But some multiple-dose vaccines (like hepatitis A) can still give you partial protection after just one dose.
Because some vaccines have multiple doses, which can take weeks to complete, you should start your vaccine planning at least 6 weeks in advance of your departure. Before traveling, besides being up-to-date on your flu and Covid vaccines, you may need boosters on some of your routine vaccines.
But, depending on your destination, you may need specific vaccines or preventative medication that you have never had before. Here are the most common travel vaccines:
What Travel Diseases have Vaccines?
- Cholera
- Diptheria-Pertussis-Tetanus
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Malaria Preventative Pills
- Measles
- Meningitis ACWY
- Meningitis B
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Yellow fever
Consult your Doctor or a Travel Health Professional for advice on what you need at least 6 weeks before your trip
What Vaccines and Medications Do You Need?
them?
Where Can You Get Travel Vaccines and Medications?
them ?
How Much
Do They
Cost?
Travel Insurance?
You are probably spending quite a lot on your trip, so you do not want it ruined by a health emergency.
Getting sick or having a medical emergency can ruin your trip. You may require expensive evacuation, and/or emergency medical treatment. Even trying to find adequate health services can be a challenge in third world countries. And, during this time of Covid 19 there are special challenges.
To protect your investment, and for your own peace of mind, you may want to buy travel insurance.
Your Health Passport
Also known popularly as the “Yellow Card” or “ICV”, this is your record of your routine and travel vaccinations to prevent disease (prophylaxis). The Yellow Card is recognized internationally and may be required for entry to certain countries where there are increased health risks for travelers.
It provides official proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination for International Travel and includes additional pages with space for your other vaccinations.
Carry your Passport, Covid Vaccination card and this Certificate of Immunization with you while traveling. In case of an emergency, or need for medical treatment, it serves as your medical identification and record of immunizations and vaccinations.
We want to be your advisor and your friend,
but we are not your doctor.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not substitute for the advice from a clinician or nurse trained in travel medicine. Medical advice on travel, or lack of it, can be potentially dangerous to your health. Those who do not seek counsel from appropriate health care professionals assume the liability of any mishap which may occur.
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