With all the festivities around you must be planning to welcome the new year in some exotic place. While your idea behind going to these locales must be to come back with some beautiful memories, be careful as you might come back with more than just beautiful memories. Some of the most exotic locales are home to some of the deadliest bugs and viruses. You as traveler are in constant danger of contracting some diseases. Read on to see how you can prepare against these diseases and have a wonderful time.
1. Polio booster
Among many other things, your tour to Africa or Asia must comprise of getting vaccinated against polio. This enfeebling disease is still active in some parts of Africa and Asia. The food, water or even physical contact with an already infected person will augment vulnerability to the same. Administer a booster dose even if you were vaccinated when you were a kid.
2. Yellow fever vaccine
A trip to Argentina and Brazil will increase your chances of getting affected by yellow fever. The beautiful Iquara Falls is basically a breeding ground of mosquitoes that spread the disease. This is also prevalent in South and Central America. Get yourself vaccinated and, if needed, take a booster shot.
3. Typhoid vaccine
The one thing you need to worry about when traveling to Asia, South America and Africa is that you can suffer from typhoid. This disease spreads from contaminated water and food and can be extremely life threatening. Get vaccinated at least a week or two before the trip.
4. Tetanus vaccine
This is a commonly occurring infection that can be extremely fatal if not treated in time. It occurs from simple skin injuries, bruises, frost bites, etc. Vaccination and booster dose administration should be taken every ten years.
5. Hepatitis A vaccine
This is a commonly occurring disease in the developing countries. It spreads by means of contaminated food and water. It leads to inflammation of liver. Thus, ask your doctor about the vaccination or about any booster dose prior to your trip.
6. Hepatitis B vaccine
The most typically affected countries of this disease are Africa, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Pacific region, Caribbean Islands and Amazon River basin. It also causes inflammation of the liver. The agents that spread this disease are blood and body fluids. Thus, you must be vaccinated against the disease before your embarking on your vacation.
7. Rabies vaccine
Rabies spreads from animal bites. The animals who are carriers of the germ are street cats, street dogs, monkeys, etc. You will be more vulnerable to this disease when you visit Asia, South America and Africa. Get vaccinated before you go for your holiday tour. But, you will also require local treatments if you get animal bite on the tour.
8. Flu vaccine
If your holiday tour is scheduled around April or September and you plan to visit the Southern Hemisphere, then get yourself and your family vaccinated against flu. This is an epidemic and the germs of the disease remain embedded in the air.
9. Malaria prevention
This is the most chronic disease in the sub Sahara African region along with parts of South Asia and South America. It is spread through mosquitoes and becomes life threatening too. It is suggested that you carry with you proper mosquito repellent, cover your exposed body parts as much as possible, sleep under mosquito curtains and get anti malarial preventive drugs.
10. Dengue precaution
This is also a mosquito borne disease that causes high fever, joint pain and becomes life threatening when not handled in time. It is most prevalent in the Caribbean region, South Central Asia and Central America. Although, there is no vaccine against it yet, but a few precautions can keep the disease at bay. Use mosquito repellents, cover the exposed body parts properly and keep yourself away from mosquito bite.
11. Tuberculosis prevention
This is a disease that is mostly found in Asia and sub Saharan Africa. Although, it is mostly spread through germ affected food, but an infected person can also spread the disease. Skin testing and prompt medical attention are the only way to cure the disease at its initial stage.
12. Leishmaniasis prevention
This is a life threatening disease caused by sand flies. Thus, it is found in countries like Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America. Initially, it causes skin ulcers and sores. But, at the secondary level it affects the internal system. Keeping yourself fully covered and staying indoors from dusk to dawn are the only ways to avoid the disease.
13. Filariasis precaution
Be alarmed if you plan a vacation to Asia, Africa, Haiti, Guyana, Dominican Republic, Brazil or Western Pacific. You can be affected by filariasis. It is caused by tiny, parasitical worms and mosquitoes. Stay protected by wearing long sleeve dresses, use insect repellents and sleep under mosquito nets to stay away from the disease.
