The CDC reports that over 22 million cases and 200,000 deaths occur each year as a result of Typhoid fever. If you are considering traveling to Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Central or South America, visit with a doctor to determine if the Typhoid vaccine is necessary.
There are currently two Typhoid vaccines in the United States, an oral-live attenuated and an intramuscular vaccine. The CDC warns travelers who are vaccinated for Typhoid and Paratyphoid fevers that they are still at risk of catching the illness. Preventative measures must be considered when traveling to high-risk countries, such as avoiding contact with water or food that has been contaminated. When drinking water, ensure that it is from a sealed bottle and not from a faucet or well. Selecting food ingredients that have been boiled or heated at high temperatures can also decrease your chances of contamination.
Travelers exploring regions like the Middle East, Africa and South and Southeast Asia must be aware of Polio. Although most countries are now Polio free, some areas are not. Check with your medical professional to determine if you have already been vaccinated. The CDC considers a person immunized from Polio if they have received a primary series of three doses of IPV, three doses of OPV or four doses of a combined IPV or OPV. Schedule a check-up six months before travel to determine if you require a a full series of vaccines or a booster.
Although Meningococcal disease can be found throughout the world, travelers should consider becoming vaccinated when traveling to areas such as Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East. Meningitis can be transmitted from person to person by saliva or respiratory secretions. When traveling though these areas be mindful of Meningitis symptoms that include a sudden onset of a fever, headache, stiffness of the neck and an altered mental status.
There are two forms of vaccines that help prevent infection of the Meningococcal disease and include Quadrivalent Meningococcal Polysaccharide vaccine (MPVS4) and the Quadrivalent Meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine (MCV4). The MPVS4 is designed for people older than 2 years of age, whereas the MCV4 is designed for travelers between the ages of 2 and 55. The CDC recommends that travelers obtain the Meningococcal vaccines at least seven days before travel, to ensure the body creates enough antibodies to the illness.
If traveling through areas such as the sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Central and South America watch for symptoms of Malaria that include a fever and other flu-like symptoms such as chills, headaches and malaise.
When visiting with you medical professional inquire about Malaria's vaccine Chemoprophylaxis. Chemoprophylaxis is taken before, during and after your trip abroad to help minimize the chances of being infected. Malaria is often transmitted by mosquitoes, so the CDC urges travelers to use preventative measures such as bed netting, well-screened areas, and repellents.
Because Malaria can cause kidney failure, comas and respiratory illnesses, travelers experiencing any symptoms of the disease should contact a medical professional immediately.
