How To Protect Yourself From Illness While Travelling
Would it not be quite the calamity if, just as you landed in another country on your holiday you fell sick? Well that is what happens to most who do not seek the proper medical advice prior to their globetrotting. Just as much as it is important to organize your passport, visas, accommodation and other requirements, it is also necessary to guard yourself from any potential diseases. If not, you are looking at a rather miserable time away. It is crucial that you get all the information you need before you pack your bags, so make sure you research really well. Have a look at what you need to know about immunizations.
WHAT IS A VACCINE?
Regardless of whether it is to protect you during your adventures or just in general, a vaccine is a vaccine. How it works is, weakened germs of a particular virus are injected into the body. Do not panic, you cannot contract the disease through this as they have been severely reduced in potency. The aim is to encourage the body to create antibodies that will fight it, should you be exposed to the virus at some point. Travel vaccinations differ from country to country so make a checklistand get the necessary medical attention you need.
TYPES
The first thing you need to know is that there are three main categories of immunizations you should be aware of. The first is what is known as routine immunizations; these are vaccines that are well… regular for both children and adults. An example of this would be tetanus. The other type of vaccine is known as recommended immunizations which are necessary when a certain area is at high risk. If for instance an outbreak happens before you leave, you will be advised to have this done. Last but certainly not the least, required vaccines are for those countries that request you to specifically get yourself immunized against a particular disease.
PLANNING
Remember travel plans take some time to come through, so you should also account for sufficient time to get your immunizations in place. If you are not entirely sure how to go about this, why not speak to your travel agent if you have one, or simply speak to someone who offers advice on this? You can then visit your doctor and get the necessary travel vaccinations done. Ideally, you should give yourself at least two months to have everything organized.
CURRENT HEALTH
This is quite important. If you are suffering from any serious disease such as diabetes for example, your medication may be quite strong. If this is the case, you may not be able to receive the immunizations you need as some medicines do not agree with each other. In these situations, it is best to ask your doctor what can be done. Remember, do not jump into conclusions without a professional opinion first.