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| Medwork 84 offers
travel medicine counseling as well as the following vaccinations:
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| Cholera |
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| Cholera is a
disease characterized by severe diarrhea leading to rapid dehydration,
which if untreated, may lead to death within 24 hours. Cholera is
transmitted through contaminated food or water. Cholera may be present in
Asia, Middle East, Africa, parts of Europe, South and Central America,
including Mexico.
Cholera vaccine is no longer required, nor
recommended for the vast majority of travelers by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC). |
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| Hepatitis
A |
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Hepatitis A is very
common in developing countries where sanitation is prro. Travelers can be
infected from person-to-person contact or through food and water that has
been contaminated with animal or human feces. In adults, Hepatitis A
usually results in liver disease, characterized by jaundice - a yellowing
of the skin - that can last a month or more. Other symptoms may include
fatigue, nausea, stomach pains and general weakness; however, children may
show no symptoms at all. The disease can be severe and possibly fatal.
 | Follow strict food and water
precautions while traveling. |
| Review the section "Be
Kind to your Stomach" |
| If traveling to an area where Hepatitis
A is common, your travel health care professional should ensure that
you receive the Hepatitis A vaccine. |
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| Hepatitis
B |
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| Hepatitis B is one
of several viruses which may cause hepatitis (liver disease), and may
result in a particularly severe form of hepatitis that leads to liver
cancer or death. It is wide spread in many developing countries,
especially in Africa, southeast Asia, the Middle East (except Israel),
south and western Pacific Islands, the interior Amazon Basin and certain
parts of the caribbean.
Hepatitis B is spread in the same was as
AIDS:
| intimate or sexual contact with an
infected person; |
| accidental exposure to traces of blood
or blood-contaminated fluids (surgical, medical, dental procedures);
and |
| immunization or drug abuse with
inadequately sterilized syringes/needles, tattooing, body piercing,
acupuncture or cuts with razors and similar objects contaminated by
blood. |
| Travelers spending more than six months
in areas of the world where hepatitis B is prevalent should receive
vaccination. Travelers spending less time than this, who may be
exposed to blood (e.g. health care workers) or have sexual contact
with local residents, should also receive vaccination. |
| Avoid casual sexual contacts. |
| Use latex condoms correctly for every
sexual contact. |
| Bring your own supply of needles and
syringes, and if you need regular blood treatment (e.g. persons with
hemophilia), bring your own supply of blood products if possible
and/or practical. |
| Never use needles and syringes used by
other people. |
| Never use another person's razor,
shaver or toothbrush. |
| Don't get tattoos or have any part of
your body pierced. |
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| Influenza |
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Influenza virus is
the cause of the "flu", an illness characterized by fever;
diffuse muscle aches, headache, fatigue and cough. Everyone is at risk of
catching influenza.
| Vaccination prior to departure is
recommended for all travelers leaving the United States during the
U.S. influenza season or who will be traveling during the influenza
season at their destination (see map). If you are traveling to a high
risk area, have the vaccination about two weeks before you go. |
| If you are over 50 or if you have a
chronic medical condition, such as heart, kidney, lung disease,
asthma, cancer, diabetes or anemia, you're at increased risk of
complicated. Influenza vaccine is recommended for you. each fall on an
annual basis, whether traveling abroad or not. |
| Vaccination is the single most
effective means of preventing or minimizing the impact of
influenza. Even if you are young and healthy, consider
vaccination each year, especially if you are planning international
travel. |
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| Japanese
Encephalitis |
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Japanese
encephalitis is a viral illness that infects the brain, leading to brain
damage and sometimes death. The illness begins with fever, chills,
malaise, headache, nausea and vomiting. Central nervous system
infections develops consisting of stiff neck, delirium, paralysis,
possibly tremors and convulsions. It is transmitted by mosquitoes in
various areas of Asia (from India east to Korea, Japan and
Indonesia). Be certain to discuss the risks of this disease with you
travel health care professional.
| Everyone over the age of one year
traveling to Asia during Japanese encephalitis transmission season
should consider vaccination if they plan on spending three weeks or
more in rural areas. |
| You may need vaccination even when
traveling for a shorter period, if your plans include plenty of time
outdoors in rural areas. |
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| Malaria |
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Malaria is a
parasitic disease transmitted by infected female mosquitoes. Malaria
may occur as soon as one week after you enter the tropics, and may
progress rapidly to cause seizures, coma, breathing and kidney problems,
and death. The initial symptoms of malaria look much like the common
flu - fever, chills, headache, and generalized aches and pains.
You'll need a blood test to determine if you have malaria.
| Rigorously, follow your instructions
for taking any prescribed medications for the prevention of malaria
before, during, and after travel. |
| Always practice personal precautions
against mosquito bites between dusk and dawn. |
| If you suspect you may have malaria,
see a qualified physician immediately. |
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| Measles
Mumps and Rubella |
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| Measles
cause an illness with fever and a rash that can lead to pneumonia, ear
infection, and neurological problems. It is prevalent in the
developing world, and is transmitted easily from person to person through
coughing, sneezing or direct contact.
Mumps cause fever and swelling of
the glands in the mouth and throat area and, in men, may affect
testicles.
Rubella (German measles) is a
disease of concern for pregnant women, whether traveling or not. The
potential is however greater in developing countries. The disease
can cause severe damage to the unborn child.
| Immunization against measles, mumps and
rubella is customarily given during childhood. If your travel
plans will interrupt the normal immunization schedule for your
children, discuss their needs with you physician. |
| Anyone born in 1957 or later who has
never had measles or mumps, should be immunized prior to international
travel. |
| All female adolescents and women of
childbearing age, who have never had rubella or been immunized, should
seriously consider vaccination. |
Vaccination against measles mumps and
rubella consists of one injection for adults and one injection plus a
booster dose for children. In special circumstances, you can receive
separate vaccines for specific diseases. |
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| Meningococcal
Disease |
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| Meningococcal
disease is a significant cause of illness and death worldwide. The
meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis (infection of the brain and
spinal cord) and a variety of other diseases. The bacteria are usually
spread from person to person via coughing or sneezing or direct contact.
Meningococcal disease can strike with
frightening quickness. The early symptoms - fever; headache and general
malaise - are indistinguishable from any less serious illnesses.
| Vaccination with meningococcal vaccine
is recommended for travelers to countries in the meningitis belt of
Africa. |
| A certificate of vaccination against
meningococcal disease is issued not more than 3 years and not less
than 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia may be required for people
traveling to Mecca. Saudi Arabia, for the annual Haj. The CDC
recommends that people who plan to travel to Saudi Arabia during this
period verify these requirements with the embassy. |
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| Pneumococcal
Disease |
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Pneumococcal
bacteria are the cause of one type of pneumonia and may cause "Blood
poisoning". The bacteria are transmitted from person to person by
coughing/much like influenza or tuberculosis.
| Vaccination is recommended for people
who have sickle cell anemia, or missing a spleen, have chronic
diseases of the lungs, kidneys or liver, diabetes, or those over age
65. |
| Vaccination consists of a single
injection. Consult with your travel health care professional regarding
pneumococcal vaccination or re-vaccination. |
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| Rabies |
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Rabies is a rare
infection of the brain that follows a bite, scratch, or; less commonly a
lick from an infected animal. It is more common in many developing
countries than in the US. Rabies is fatal if not treated, but can be
prevented by prompt immunization after exposure.
| Vaccination is normally given after
contact with a suspect animal. However, people whose travel or work
abroad may involve more frequent animal contact - such as
veterinarians, agricultural specialists and specially hikers in rabies
risk areas would benefit from a rabies pre-exposure vaccine series
before departure. |
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| Tetanus,
Diphtheria and Polio |
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| Tetanus is a
rare but severe disease that causes muscle contractions which can lead to
breathing problems and even death. It can occur if contaminated soil
enters cuts or wounds such as a burn.
Diphtheria is a disease of the
respiratory passages transmitted from person-to-person, which may cause
severe heart disease. In the developing world, diphtheria is sometimes
spread via unpasteurized milk.
Polio is a disease which occurs in
the developing outside North and South America, which may result in
partial or total paralysis. Polio is transmitted primarily through food or
water contaminated with feces.
| All Americans should receive their
first (primary) immunization series against tetanus, diphtheria and
polio during childhood. If you are traveling with infants and
children, you should discuss their immunization needs, especially if
traveling for extended periods of time, which might interrupt your
child's normal immunization schedule. |
| All Americans should receive a booster
against tetanus and diphtheria every 10 years, whether traveling
abroad or not. If you have not received the complete primary series
consult your health care professional about completing it. |
| Americans traveling to areas of the
world where polio is still prevalent should have received their
primary immunization series of polio vaccine and a booster within the
last 10 yeats. If you have not received the primary series,
then you should receive at least two doses of polio vaccine 4 weeks
apart prior to departure if time allows. |
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| Tuberculosis |
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Tuberculosis (TB)
bacteria causes infection of the lungs and occasionally other organs. The
bacteria is primarily transmitted person-to-person by coughing. TB is much
more prevalent in the developing world than in the US, especially in hot
climates.
| A TB skin test is given before
departure for travelers likely to be exposed to many cases of TB (e.g.
health care workers, or long term stay travellers of greater than 6
months). If the test is negative prior to travel abroad and positive
upon return from the developing world, then its an indication that a
course of anti TB drugs should be given. |
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| Typhoid
Fever |
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| Typhoid fever is a
life-threatening illness. It's usually spread under unsanitary conditions,
eiother person-to-person, or through contaminated food, drink or water.
Typhoid fever is characterized by a high fever (which gradually increases,
often to over 40 degrees C), headache, tiredness loss of appetite and
dizziness. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, chills and
constipation or diarrhea.
This disease is common in many developing
countries of Africa, Asia the Middle East, the Caribbean and Central and
South America.
| Vaccination is recommended for all
travelers to risk areas. |
| Travelers to small cities and villages
or to rural areas in countries where there are many reported cases of
typhoid fever, or Americans returning to their countries of origin,
are at greater risk. |
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| Yellow
Fever |
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Yellow Fever is a
viral illness. The disease is carried by some species of mosquitoes in
Central and South America, and in tropical regions of Africa. A mild
attack may have symptoms similar to those of the flu. However, more severe
symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, bleeding, abdominal pains and
yellowing of the skin as a result of liver damage.
| Travelers to disease areas, or those
transiting through a disease area and entering another country, may
require a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever for legal
entry. |
| Your vaccination will consist of a
single injection, and can be administered only at a clinic licensed to
administer yellow fever vaccine. Your certificate is valid for 10
years, beginning 10 days after you receive your vaccination. |
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| These immunizations are offered at Medwork
84, including malaria prophylaxis. |
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