With the recent ebola cases discovered in the United States, the spread of deadly illnesses through travel is a hot topic. Nobody wants to take an overseas vacation and end up with a deadly illness, but can it be prevented? In most cases, the answer is yes, and it all begins with being prepared before you travel by getting vaccinated.
Though vaccinations are a touchy subject for many people due to various studies and side effects, it’s an important step to take before traveling, and in many cases, you may not be allowed to leave the United States without evidence of certain vaccinations. If you’re planning a trip abroad, here are some things you should know.
Know the Health Risks
Consider the health risks associated with your destination and particular circumstances before you travel so that you can be prepared. The risks associated with your journey will depend on a few different things:
Destination: Each country, especially developing countries, has its own list of common illnesses and diseases which you are susceptible to when you travel there. Know which risks are highest for the place you intend to travel.
Planned Activities: What you intend to do on your trip will increase or reduce your risk for contracting illness. For example, different precautions should be taken for visiting highly populated areas than should be taken for viewing plants and wildlife.
Current Health: If you’re prone to illness due to such things as asthma, upper respiratory weakness, autoimmune disease, or other chronic health factors, this will influence your susceptibility to disease.
Vaccination History: Receiving all of your vaccinations before traveling will keep you immune to some of the more common rampant diseases. Getting vaccinated for other diseases is the only sure way to keep you safe from most deadly diseases on your travels.
See Your Healthcare Provider
Before you travel, make an appointment for a checkup with your healthcare provider. The two of you can review your medical history and discuss the present risks and the steps you should take before leaving the country. Your doctor will be able to tell you which vaccinations you need as well as give you other tips to keep you healthy during your travels.
Common Vaccinations
The recommended vaccinations before travel depends on where you are traveling. Besides the routine vaccinations administered for general health in the United States, there are several common vaccinations your doctor will suggest, including the following:
- Yellow Fever
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid and paratyphoid Fever
- Meningococcal Disease
- Yellow Fever
- Rabies
- Japanese Encephalitis
Other Health Tips
Besides getting vaccinated, there are other steps you should take to travel smart and stay healthy. They include:
- Drinking only clean water and pasteurized dairy products
- Eating food that is cooked hot at clean establishments
- Avoiding bug bites (ticks, flies, mosquitoes, etc) with insect repellents and mosquito nets
- Washing hands often with soap or sanitizer
- Being safe around animals
Though getting vaccinated may not seem like a necessary step before travel, it could make all the difference in saving your life and preventing the spread of deadly diseases to others.
