The recent deadly outbreaks of Ebola in Africa and hantavirus on a cruise ship have made headlines, but some less unusual diseases present a threat much closer to home.
Some threats, such as yellow fever and rabies, primarily apply to travelers visiting certain regions or participating in specific activities. Others lurk almost everywhere. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Measles cases are increasing in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”
The most dangerous health risk is one you don’t know about and can’t prepare for. Before you board your next flight, learn which vaccines you need to stay healthy, both during your trip and long after you return home.
Related: Travel Health Checklist: How to Stay Safe Abroad
Check your vaccines
Some diseases pose a risk anywhere you travel, or even at home, so it’s a good idea to stay up to date on vaccinations recommended by your primary care doctor.
Many common vaccines will protect you for a decade or more, but that’s not always the case, especially if you’re traveling to an area with higher risk. For example, even if you were vaccinated against tetanus and polio as a child, your doctor may recommend a booster shot before you travel.
Don’t overlook seasonal culprits like Covid and flu, which you are probably more likely to suffer from. contract while flying than on land at your destination. These vaccines may not protect you from all strains, but they will at least reduce your risk of contracting a vacation-ruining virus on an airplane.
Visit the CDC website
Corey McVey, director of nursing at Health Passport in Chicago and Wisconsin, told TPG that the first stop when considering international travel should be the dedicated CDC office Traveler health place. From the home page, you can select your destination country and see a breakdown of recommended vaccines and medications for different types of travelers, as well as other health and safety tips and medical packing lists.
If you want a second reliable source, you can also visit the World Health Organization (WHO) Website for international travel and health..
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Get a travel health consultation
“Only 10% of travelers who should seek travel advice do so,” McVey said. Several factors contribute to this alarmingly low figure. Here are some common misconceptions that prevent people from seeking a consultation:
“I won’t get sick.” McVey believes this is the most common reason people skip travel inquiries. “People think they’ll be fine. They won’t encounter illness or disease. But you should go to a consultation for the same reason you wear a seat belt. You don’t know anything about anyone else. You don’t know anything about the people who cook your food.”
“I saw my primary care doctor.” Many travelers find an appointment with their primary care doctor appropriate. You should definitely consult your doctor first, who will often recommend a travel clinic, especially if you need vaccines that they don’t have. However, McVey says primary care doctors don’t always have the most up-to-date information. “They may not be aware of an outbreak. Travel clinics are more attuned to the needs of international travelers.”
“I got all the information I need online.” While the CDC website should be your first stop, it shouldn’t be your last. A travel consultation will provide recommendations to each traveler based on health history risks and the activities they are planning. “The needs of a backpacker traveling in Thailand are different from those of a business traveler who will only be in Bangkok for a few days.”
“I’ll get sick.” McVey sees many patients who don’t understand how vaccines work. “Some people think the vaccine gives them the disease, they get sick, and then they become immune. Very few people get sick from vaccines. It’s a buildup of antibodies.”
“Travel consultations are expensive.” Some vaccines, such as rabies, are certainly expensive (more than $1,000 for the series), but this is an extreme example that is rarely needed. Travel consultations typically cost between $50 and $150, and most vaccines cost less than $100. And as its name suggests, the visit is simply a consultation. You will receive medication or vaccine recommendations as needed, but you are not required to receive them.
Find a clinic near you
Travel clinics are common in most cities; Health Passport It alone has over 300 in North America.
You should schedule your travel consultation at least a month before departure, as vaccines take 10 to 14 days to become fully effective and some must be administered in a series. However, McVey stresses that a late consultation is still much better than no consultation at all. “We will vaccinate them even if they travel by plane that day. It is never too late.”
During your consultation, you will discuss which regions you will visit, what activities you will undertake, and what health risks you will expect. Your doctor may recommend vaccines and other prescription medications, such as anti-malaria pills and antibiotics, to treat traveler’s diarrhea. If you need a multi-dose vaccine, you may need to return for a follow-up visit in a week or two.
Some insurance plans cover preventative health for international travel; some, including Medicare, do not. If you have a health savings account, this is an eligible expense.
Related: The best credit cards to pay your medical bills
Understand your vaccines
Not all vaccines work the same way or for the same period of time. For example, there is an oral typhoid vaccine that protects for five years, while the injectable version only lasts two years.
Also, contrary to what the name suggests, the rabies vaccine does not completely protect against rabies. Even if you receive the three-dose vaccine, the broadest option, you should seek medical attention if you are bitten or scratched by an animal that may be infected. The vaccine gives you more time to seek treatment, so you can wait until you return home instead of rushing to a hospital in a foreign country, but you should still seek treatment to avoid contracting this deadly disease.
A travel doctor can explain details like this, as well as the possible risks and side effects of any vaccine they recommend.
The CDC Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) Explain each disease, who is at risk, and who should or should not receive the vaccine due to age or health problems. It also lists possible side effects. You can search for a specific VIS by typing the disease name followed by “vis” into a search engine.
Prevention beyond immunization
While many serious health risks can be prevented by vaccination, the most common ones cannot. “The main health risk for travelers is diarrhea, which can be prevented in many different ways,” McVey explained. These include avoiding tap water in some areas and following best practices in hygiene and sanitation.
A travel doctor will tell you what types of foods you should avoid to protect yourself from food- and water-borne illnesses, as well as other activities you should avoid (such as swimming in freshwater lakes in areas that contain dangerous bacteria).
Other diseases can be prevented with a prescription. For example, taking anti-malaria medications while traveling in high-risk areas can greatly reduce your chances of contracting the disease.
However, some diseases, including the Ebola strain currently affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, cannot yet be completely prevented. Your best defense against these diseases is to avoid the places where they are found.
Related: How to travel with prescription and over-the-counter medications
In a nutshell
In general, the risk of illness abroad should be taken seriously, but in most cases it should not be a deterrent to travel. A travel consultation will prepare you with vaccinations, medications, and most importantly, education, so you can travel with peace of mind to the farthest corners of the world.
For more healthy travel resources, check out these tips:
