Getting face to face with a needle may be the last thing on your mind as you contain your holiday excitement, but it is crucially important that you also prepare your immune system when exploring a new country. In most cases, vaccinations are even an entry requirement, as visitors pose health risks to the people of the country they are getting into if not medically screened at the port of entry. For instance, you will have to complete a yellow fever vaccination if you have just arrived from an area identified with yellow fever outbreak.
London Travel Clinic reminds tourists heading to Southeast Asia to have their vaccinations completed at least several months prior to the trip. The reason is that some vaccines are given over a course of several weeks instead of one long sitting.
The clinic advises that common diseases acquired in Southeast Asia are fully preventable with vaccination, as listed below:
1. Typhoid and Hepatitis A
These diseases are transmitted via food and water, and are often acquired from food handlers who have not thoroughly washed their hands while preparing and serving food. Typhoid and Hepatitis A can make you sick for a month, which means that your entire vacation time can be easily ruined by not getting vaccinated before leaving. Both typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations can be given at the same time or separately, but the latter requires booster 6-12 months after it was first administered.
2. Tetanus, Diptheria and Polio
Vaccination for ‘DTP’ is given as one injection, and should be administered once every 10 years. If you need to be vaccinated right away, you may have to endure a sore muscle for the next 24 hours. Injection is intramuscular on top of the arm.
3. Hepatitis B
It is common for travelers to get tattoos as a reminder of their trip. You should consider getting Hepatitis B shots if you plan to get inked on your vacation. Hepatitis B is also acquired through transfer of blood and bodily fluids, so aside from infected syringe, this disease can also be transmitted through indiscriminate close contact with the infected. Vaccination is given in 3 injections over a certain period, but if you need to get it right away, the three shots can be administered a month before you leave.
4. Rabies
Children are more inclined to play with exotic animals and less aware that a friendly play can turn into an aggressive attack. Rabies is transmitted by an infected animal through its bite or scratch. Three injections are given over a period of 21-28 days, and this gives protection of up to 48 hours to the patient before emergency medical intervention is required. Otherwise, unvaccinated travelers will have to get to the hospital within 12 hours after being bitten, a risky situation when traveling to remote places of Southeast Asia where healthcare can be limited.
5. Japanese Encephalitis
There is more to mosquito bites than surface discomfort. Japanese Encephalitis is typically spread via this carrier, which is not a remote possibility when traveling to rural areas. There are two sets of injection given to the traveler, one on the first day, and the second 28 days later. Vaccination for Japanese Encephalitis lasts for two-three years. It would also help to exercise preventive measures like using mosquito nets and repellents when staying in mosquito-prone areas. Untreated, Japanese encephalitis can lead to severe neurological problems and even death.
Your trip deserves to be memorable. Take every precaution to make sure you bring home only good memories. Watch this 5-minute video for travel medicine advice for Southeast Asia.
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Article by Chris
Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.
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