By the end of 2019, China experienced the epidemic of Novel Coronavirus, a large group of viruses, that results in cold, the flu and respiratory illnesses. Although it started in Wuhan, also known as the epicenter of COVID-19, the virus spread all over the country infecting a number of people and causing multiple deaths each day. However, in the first few months of 2020, the Coronavirus reached other countries as well. Due to its highly communicable nature, the virus can easily transfer from an infected person to healthy individuals as well as from surfaces to healthy individuals. As per the current status, COVID-19 has already affected 180 countries around the globe with Italy, Iran, Spain, Germany and USA leading the list after China. This means, now it’s pandemic. Currently, nearly 845,749 have got infected with Coronavirus with more than 40,000 fatalities across the world. The virus is spreading like a wildfire with no particular treatment option and vaccination available. In such a situation, the government of each country and province is handling the situation with just precautionary measures. They have even imposed international and in some places even domestic travel bans and lockdown their respective country to restrict any entries by foreign nationals. Travel advise for people who’re traveling overseas The World Health Organization has recommended people to avoid traveling overseas, especially to highly affected areas by the Coronavirus, if it’s not important. The virus is highly contagious, this means it easily can transfer from an infected person to healthy people. Basically, there are two major ways that the virus can spread, including:
Returning home after your recent trip with serious illnesses is the last thing you would want to happen. Every day, millions of people travel internationally. However, no one could imagine that their travel experience can end up in a hospital if they are not aware of the travel vaccinations they need to take. Travel vaccines are imperative to protect you against the unexpected disease prevailing in certain regions. Depending on the location you are traveling to, you might catch diseases that are present there. For example, if you are going to a tropical or subtropical region, yellow fever is quite common there. New York's Travel Clinics offer a yellow fever vaccine and other essential vaccinations for the people of NYC. No matter how developed the country is where you are traveling, you can still get diseases common to that area. Thus, travel vaccinations are a must before you travel internationally. This blog is going to provide information on the standard travel vaccinations that you need to take on travel doctor's recommendations for international travel. 1. Yellow Fever Vaccine If you have packed your bags to head to tropical regions of South Africa and Central and South America, it is crucial that you are protected against yellow fever. What Is Yellow Fever? Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease commonly present in different regions of South America and South Africa. The best and effective protection against this virus is the yellow fever vaccine. If you're traveling outside of New York City, and you require a yellow fever vaccine, always go to certified travel clinics. 2. MMR Vaccine It is a vaccination that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). Especially in countries like Germany and Europe. Since the last decade, measles has been erupting in Europe. However, vaccination against measles will keep you from catching the virus. In the previous five years, Germany has seen an increasing trend of measles cases. People who are traveling to Germany without measles vaccination can come in contact with it. 3. Hepatitis A It is a viral infection that spreads into the liver. How Does It Spread? Hepatitis A can be spread from contaminated water and food. It can also pass to your body through bodily fluids. The virus is common in countries like some of the islands in the Carribean, Africa, Russia, some parts of Europe, America, especially South America, the Middle East, and Central Asia. 4. Rabies Vaccination Rabies is a life-threatening infection that is transmitted through dogs and infected animals. Although the rabies vaccine is the most recommended vaccine for international travel, the risk is higher in countries such as Asia, Central America, and South America. The rabies vaccination is the best protection against rabies. The entire vaccine course of rabies usually takes up to 4 weeks. 5. Japanese Encephalitis Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-spread infection that can be fatal to your life. People who are traveling to countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Korea should get the Japanese encephalitis vaccine. It is always better to be cautious and get essential travel vaccines before you travel abroad than to be sorry for the repercussions. Please remember, if you are going to take travel vaccines such as yellow fever vaccine, MMR, Hepatitis A, you must visit a registered and certified travel clinic in NYC. Travel Clinic of NYC is a well-established travel clinic in NYC that has well-trained and experienced doctors who can help you get the right vaccine before your travel. Get in touch with us!
Traveling to a new place or country is exciting, especially if it’s your first visit.
Traveling gives you the opportunity to make cherishable memories with your family or friends. However, did you know it also increases your risk to develop health diseases that are not found in New York?
In the excitement of travelling to a new country, most people overlook their health and forget to visit their doctor, you should visit and consult with your doctor about any travel shots that you are required to get before going abroad. Although vacations are fun and enjoyable, your health should be your top priority. Therefore, while you prepare your travel checklist, visiting your primary care physician or travel clinic should be the first thing to do. This will help you learn whether or not you need travel shots before leaving New York. Also, your doctor will tell you the precautions you need to take while enjoying your vacation in a foreign country.
However, before you visit the nearest travel clinic, it is good to be well-informed so that you do exactly what your doctor recommends. A good doctor knows what to consider while recommending the travel vaccination or travel shots to their patients. To ensure you’re visiting an experienced doctor, it is important to know the things a travel doctor considers when deciding travel injections. Below we have explained the things your doctor will consider.
One of the important things your healthcare professional will consider is whether you will be visiting a developing country or a rural area. For example, most developing countries have more travel diseases, which means if you visit any of them you might need more travel vaccines before boarding.
Visiting for a short trip means your risk of developing any infection and disease is low. On the other hand, if you’re planning a longer trip, you’re at a higher risk of illness and need vaccinations for a longer trip.
In the summer, illnesses like malaria are more frequent and dangerous and danger is far lower during the winter.
Do you know if you camp in the open air, you can be easily targeted by mosquitoes and other animal invaders and get unclean food and water? Hence, you’re at higher risk of developing malaria, typhoid, and more.
Traveling in the open air on tuk-tuks and bikes also puts you at a higher risk of getting an infection as compared to planes and trains. This is because the latter options are more clean and sanitized.
Activities that involve more adventure, such as hiking, safaris, and trekking increase your contact period with mosquitoes and harmful pathogens. Therefore, always carry a first aid box, mosquito repellent, and emergency medicine.
Food is another important consideration. While vacationing in a foreign country, always watch over whatever you eat and drink. Avoid street food, and undercooked food in certain countries, especially developing.
Although traveling is fun, you should never compromise your health. Therefore, whenever you plan a trip to any foreign country, especially developing, it is important to visit a travel clinic before boarding.
Traveling abroad can be both an exciting adventure, and a major stressor for people at times. Though it’s fairly common for most of us to overlook certain things when we’re getting ready for a big vacation, or an upcoming trip somewhere. While we may overlook some things, there are definitely certain things we shouldn’t overlook. Getting vaccinated before your trip is one of those things. The Travel Clinic in New York City is one of the top Travel Clinics in the country. Our renowned professionals here offer everything from Yellow Fever Shots to Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B Travel Vaccinations in NYC.
It’s fairly common for most of us to overlook certain things when we’re getting ready for a big vacation, or an upcoming trip somewhere. Traveling abroad can be both an exciting adventure, and a major stressor for people at times. We may overlook some things, but there are certain things we should never overlook. Getting vaccinated before your trip is one of those things. The Travel Clinic in New York City is one of the top Travel Clinics in the country. Our renowned professionals here offer everything from Yellow Fever Shots to Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B Travel Vaccinations in NYC.
According to an expert who was the director of USC International Travel Health Services Jeffrey Goad (PharmD, MPH), “vaccines for diseases that are routine here, for instance measles, which breaks out every now and then, can be extremely common in other countries, routine vaccines sometimes become very important when traveling abroad," says Goad.
The following information was gathered from the CDC and should give you a better idea of what Hepatitis A & B are. It should also help you understand the importance behind getting vaccinated. Here is some important information about both of these viruses:
Travel vaccines or immunizations, are shots that travelers can get before visiting any area abroad. These vaccines or immunizations can help protect people from serious illnesses. All of these vaccinations work by exposing the body to parts of the germs from any disease a person wants protection against. You can't get the disease from these vaccines or immunizations, because the viruses or bacteria are already dead or they have been severely weakened. The body responds to the vaccine appropriately by making antibodies that will protect a person in the future if they become exposed to the disease later on. Travel vaccines are a very safe, and effective way to help protect travelers from bringing home any unexpected viruses or diseases.
Getting vaccinated doesn’t have to be a scary proposition. The possible viruses or diseases that result in the illnesses listed above are typically much scarier than any needle might be. According to an expert who was the director of USC International Travel Health Services Jeffrey Goad (PharmD, MPH), "In almost all circumstances, it's very rare for someone not to need vaccines," says Mr. Goad. He has also explained that travel vaccines highly recommended for anyone traveling abroad (man, woman, child, or anyone else). "Every time I see a patient, I check general routine vaccines," says Goad. In addition, Mr. Goad has stated that, “many people are not up to date on their adult immunizations.” These immunizations include protection against such viruses/diseases as tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccinations.
Contact The Travel Clinic in NYC before you go on that once in a lifetime trip. Your family, your friends, and your body will thank you. Call for an appointment or general information today at (212) 686-5835 and be prepared for all of your journeys ahead. The Travel Clinic in New York City is one of the top Travel Clinics in the country. Our renowned professionals here offer everything from Yellow Fever Shots to Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B Travel Vaccinations in NYC.
If you’re planning a trip overseas in the coming few months, especially to underdeveloped countries, travel immunizations should be an important part of your travel-checklist. Consult your doctor well in advance of any planned international trips! Doing this will help keep you informed as to which travel shots you may require depending on your particular destination.
One of the more important travel vaccines is Hepatitis A, which you would need to protect yourself against hepatitis. Before learning more about the details of the Hepatitis A vaccine, let’s learn more about Hepatitis A itself:
Hepatitis A is a virus that affects liver health
Hepatitis A is usually spread through contaminated water or food
Hepatitis A is not a chronic infection
The patient may show symptoms after two or six weeks of exposure to Hepatitis A virus that means you can visit and return to a country without being aware of the infection. The following are some of the common Hepatitis A symptoms, including:
Fatigue
Jaundice
Stomach Pain
Nausea
Low Appetite
These symptoms usually persist for a few weeks, or months during severe cases. While it can happen, death from Hepatitis A is also a very rare occurrence.
What is the Hepatitis A vaccine?
Generally, a doctor will recommend the Hepatitis A vaccination to people who are at a higher risk of getting exposure to the Hepatitis A virus. This usually includes travelers, or medical lab workers. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from the Hepatitis A virus. Keep in mind, you may require two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine within a gap of six months.
Who is the right candidate for a Hepatitis A vaccination?
Anyone who is over the age of one year can get the Hepatitis A vaccine. That being said, this vaccine is generally recommended for the following individuals and situations
People who live in an area or region where Hepatitis A is common
Homosexual males
People who use illegal drugs
People working with Hepatitis A samples or patients
Brazil
India
China
Cambodia
Ghana
Mexico
Kenya
Costa Rica
Peru
Nigeria
Thailand
So, you’re all set to travel the world and fulfill your wildest dreams. You might have even prepared your travel checklist well in advance! Things such as your flight & hotel booking, activities, places to visit, and more; but have you visited your healthcare provider to get travel vaccinations? If your travel list also includes exploring developing countries, then you should be concerned about exposing yourself to dangerous tropical diseases and bringing them back to your home country. If you’ve never been informed about travel vaccines, fear not! You’ve landed on the right page. In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about travel vaccinations. Everything from the different types of travel vaccines, knowing the right time to get your vaccines done, and more. The Travel Clinic NYC is here to help make your travels safer and easier. What Are Travel Vaccinations? Travel vaccinations or travel immunizations are shots that travelers need to get before traveling to certain parts of the world, especially to the disease-prone countries to protect themselves against these illnesses. If you’re someone who grew up in a Western country like the United States, you don’t need to worry about contracting a fatal tropical disease. All children born in the United States are immunized at birth. If you wish to travel abroad however, you must get vaccinations done to help boost your immune system. Typically, vaccinations provide protection when your body gets exposed to certain germs. There are several dangerous diseases throughout the world, and most of them flourish around the tropics if that’s one of your destinations, you must protect yourself from these unseen afflictions. Luckily, there are plenty of vaccinations available to offer protection against most illnesses. Besides being an effective way to protect travelers from carrying the germs in the home country, travel vaccines are also very safe. If you’re planning to travel the world, it is highly recommended to get them a few weeks before your travel date. The Most Common and Important Travel Vaccinations Hepatitis A and B • Hepatitis A is a liver infection that is generally spread through contaminated food, water, and physical contact. It is very hard to avoid Hepatitis A or B, because there is no easy way to determine whether the food or water you’re consuming is free from harmful bacterias. Therefore, it is recommended to visit a clinic and get travel vaccinations done prior to your travel date. • Hepatitis B may transfer from one person to another through infected body fluid. This includes blood to blood contact, sexual transmission, and infected medical equipment. If you’re traveling to the developing countries, you’re likely to get infected with Hepatitis B. The symptoms of hepatitis B are almost similar to hepatitis A. These symptoms include rashes, fevers, joint pain, and jaundice. In some cases, hepatitis B may also cause permanent liver damage and liver cancer. The Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio Vaccine Diphtheria is a highly contagious respiratory disease, which is usually contracted from inhaling water vapor of an infected person, when they sneeze, cough, or breath around you. Tetanus is a toxin that is transferred through spores, and you get the disease when these spores enter a wound that you get by injury. In simple words, if you get bitten by a wild animal or cut yourself, you should immediately get a tetanus shot to prevent yourself from contracting the disease. Luckily, nowadays, polio has almost extinct all because of the polio vaccine. Generally, polio is contracted via contaminated food and water. In 90% of cases, people show no symptoms of polio, while 8% of people experience mild flu-like symptoms, and only 2% will experience bladder dysfunction, paralysis, impaired breathing, swallowing, and speech. You usually get a combination vaccine of diphtheria, tetanus and polio to protect yourself against these diseases at once, and you’ll get booster vaccines in the future. The Rabies Vaccine While rabies mostly infects animals, humans can also get it if an infected bat, dog, and monkey bite them. Once an infected animal bites you, the virus from the animal’s saliva is then transferred to you. The common symptoms you exhibit include convulsions, diaphragm spasms, and cardiac or respiratory arrest. If you fail to get yourself treated within a few days of being bitten by an infected animal, you may die. The Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine You get Japanese Encephalitis through the bite of a mosquito, which is commonly found in rice paddles, and on birds, pigs, and the Siberian stork. In certain cases, Japanese Encephalitis exhibits no symptoms, however, some people can get meningitis, fever, encephalitis, and paralysis. Recovery from Japanese Encephalitis is slow, and people commonly experience long-term physical weakness. Nearly 30% of children die from Japanese Encephalitis. Although it is quite a fatal disease, the good news is that it’s rare, which means it’s not always necessary to the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. The Yellow Fever Vaccine It is interesting to learn about the yellow fever vaccine, because it is one of the mandatory vaccinations that people must take before boarding, especially to South America or Sub-Saharan Africa. If your travel list includes these destinations, then you must get yourself vaccinated to protect against yellow fever. Most countries with yellow fever usually require you to have a certificate of vaccine to enter into the country, and even your home country will require you to provide proof that you’re vaccinated to return back. Yellow fever is a fatal disease that is transferred through mosquitoes, so you must get yourself vaccinated for protection against yellow fever. The common symptoms of yellow fever include muscle aches, fever, dizziness, nausea, vomiting blood, a red face, liver and kidney failure, bleeding from the mouth, nose, and eyes, and seizures/coma. In severe cases, yellow fever can lead to death. The Typhoid Vaccine Typhoid is spread through contaminated drink and food. The main symptoms of typhoid are headache, fever, abdominal pain, confusion, constipation, and rash. Plus, typhoid fever can cause death, so you need to avoid it as soon as possible. If you’re traveling to the tropics, you must get typhoid vaccine, as it is very common there. Travel Vaccines According To The Place You’re Visiting Now that you’re familiar with the different types of travel vaccinations, but you must be wondering which one to get for your upcoming international vacation. Don’t be fret! To help you determine which is the right vaccination for you, we’ve explained vaccine requirement depending on the place you’re visiting. • Tetanus. It is common across the world. So, you must get the tetanus vaccine no matter which is your travel destination. • Polio. Nowadays, polio is a very rare disease. However, you need to get polio shots if you’re traveling to Nigeria, Afghanistan, or Pakistan. • Diphtheria. Like tetanus, it is also found worldwide, and usually, you get vaccinated against it during your childhood. Make sure you check it with your healthcare provider. • Hepatitis A. It is quite common in countries with low levels of sanitation. If you’re considering a trip to any countries in the tropics, you should get hepatitis A vaccine. • Hepatitis B. It is common in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Latin America, and Africa as well the Caribbean. Get yourself vaccinated against hepatitis B if you’re traveling to any of these countries. • Japanese B Encephalitis. It can occur after the rainy season in regions of Nepal, China, northern Burma, northern Sri Lanka, eastern and southern states of India, northern Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. • Rabies. You have a greater risk of rabies in Africa, Asia, and South America. • Typhoid. Although typhoid is present worldwide, it is more common where water and food usually get contaminated with sewage, such as in Africa, South America, and most parts of Asia. • Yellow Fever. Yellow fever is found in South America and tropical Africa. However, you’re required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter certain countries. When Is The Right Time To Get Vaccinations? So, now you must have got a good idea of which vaccines you need. It is the right time to plan your vaccination schedule. Here we’ve explained how long you need to wait before leaving to get vaccinated. • Hepatitis A and B. Generally, hepatitis A and B require two doses within a 30 day period, and provides you with protection for up to one year. 6 to 12 months later, you can get a booster vaccination that will provide you with protection for 20 or more years. It is usually recommended to have the first shot 6 months before you board so that you’ll be able to complete the full course of these vaccinations. • Japanese B Encephalitis. For this, you’re required to have three doses on days 0, 7-14 and 28, which will provide you immunity for one month after your final dose. • Rabies. You have rabies shots on days 0, 7, 21-28. Later, you can get a booster every 2-3 years. • Typhoid. In case of typhoid, one dose will offer protection for three years. • Yellow Fever. Yellow fever vaccine is usually given 10 days before leaving as well as you get the certification to enter the country. It is a live vaccine, so it should be given on the same day like other live vaccines, or with three weeks difference. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting yourself from any unseen dangers like disease. You should always be up to date with your vaccinations. If you’re traveling to a disease-prone country, travel vaccines are a must to help keep yourself, your family, your friends, and others protected. Be a smarter traveler. Get vaccinated! Get Vaccinated Before You Go! Contact The Travel Clinic NYC before you go on that once in a lifetime trip. Your family, your friends, and your body will thank you. Call for an appointment or general information today at (212) 686-5835 and be prepared for all of your journeys ahead.
