Hi there! Welcome to my blog. My name is Debbie and I am a housewife from Alice Springs, Australia. I love the life I have here with my wonderful husband and our four kids. It all started about a year ago when I realised that I couldn't read the label on a jar of food I was trying to open. I asked my husband if there was a problem with the way the label had been printed but he said he could read it just fine. He booked me an appointment at Vision2000Kota and they carried out some test to rule out any serious problems. Thankfully, I just needed to start wearing glasses. I hope you enjoy my health and medical blog.
Beat Disease and Keep Fighting Fit
Understanding Common Vaccinations For International Travel
Regina Barnett
When you're planning an international trip, part of the planning process involves finding out of you require any vaccinations before travelling. Travel to some countries, particularly those in the developing world, can put you at risk of contracting diseases that are not found in Australia, and some of these diseases can be fatal. Vaccinations are a visa requirement for travel to some countries and you will not be permitted entry into the country you are travelling to without proof of vaccination. Here's an overview of common vaccinations required for international travel.
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes damage to the liver and kidneys. It's often fatal and can be contracted by those travelling to the Caribbean, South America and parts of Africa. A single dose of the vaccine will protect you from yellow fever for the rest of your life, but you will need to schedule the vaccination a couple of weeks before you're due to travel.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A can cause fever, jaundice and liver disease, and you're at risk of contracting this disease if you're travelling to areas with poor sanitation. You should be vaccinated against hepatitis A if you're visiting the Middle East, South America, Asia or sub-Saharan Africa. Arrange to have the initial dose of the vaccine around two weeks before you travel. You can have a second dose of the vaccine around six months later, which will provide protection from hepatitis A for 20 years.
Rabies
Rabies is an infection that ravages the central nervous system. It can be transmitted from infected animals to humans through saliva and can cause paralysis, coma and death due to organ failure. You should be vaccinated against rabies if you're travelling to Central America, South America or Africa. The vaccine is given as a course of three injections spread out over the month before you travel.
Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is an infectious bacterial disease that causes intestinal bleeding and can cause the intestines to perforate, which can lead to death due to sepsis. You are at an increased risk of developing typhoid fever if you're in an area where food hygiene and sanitation is poor. You should be vaccinated against this disease if you are travelling to Africa, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent or South America. The vaccine is given as a single injection around a month before you travel.
There are some factors that can impact on the safety and suitability of certain vaccinations, such as being pregnant, having allergies or being immunocompromised. Contact your chosen travel clinic at least a few months before your date of travel to talk through your requirements.
For more information about yellow fever vaccinations, contact a medical centre.
Share