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You are planning a trip to the tropics, protect yourself against diseases that can get you there. Before a planned trip to exotic countries, it is worth going to a tropical disease clinic or a vaccination point operating at sanitary and epidemiological stations and vaccinated against dangerous diseases. You should also know that some countries will not be admitted without a vaccination certificate.
Some diseases only occur in certain areas of a country and only at certain times of the year. Therefore, it is good to discuss the date and route of our trip with a specialist doctor. Doctors in tropical disease clinics and sanitary and epidemiological stations have the latest information prepared by the WHO about epidemics in various parts of the world and will inform us against which diseases we should be vaccinated. It is best to record all vaccinations in a special yellow booklet (International Certificates of Vaccination). There, the doctor writes down the type of vaccine and the date it was taken. Some countries require proof of vaccination in the form of the International Certificate of Immunization, which is the “yellow booklet”. It is best to see your doctor a few weeks before the trip, as some vaccines only start working a few weeks after they are given.
Vaccination against yellow fever
The vaccination required for entry into some countries is against yellow fever, a viral disease that can be fatal. It is carried by mosquitoes. Occurs in Africa and South America. It begins with malaise, headache, increase in body temperature to 40 degrees C. Chills may appear. After a few days, jaundice develops, and in some cases, renal failure and symptoms of bleeding disorders. The disease may also be mild. Proof of vaccination is required for entry into many African countries, such as Chad, Cameroon, Gabon. Some countries require such proof if you come from countries where the disease occurs or even from those who are transiting through these zones. If, for example, we are going from Poland to Venezuela, we do not have to vaccinate, but if we go from Venezuela to Brazil, we must be vaccinated because the Brazilian authorities have introduced such a regulation.
It is not recommended to administer the vaccine to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, highly allergic to egg white, children under 12 months of age, and patients with immunodeficiency. Since the lack of vaccination may expose the tourist to detention and fines, in the event of medical contraindications, a medical certificate in English and French must be presented. However, it is safer to give up the trip in such a situation.
The vaccine is given in one dose, valid for 10 years. It costs about PLN 100.
Drugs for malaria – malarone, lariam
The most common disease in the tropics is malaria, which is spread by a certain species of mosquito. A few days after the bite, fever with chills, weakness, muscle and joint pain, but also diarrhea, nausea, or disturbed consciousness may appear. Unfortunately, it happens that the disease is severe and violent, and even fatal, especially in people suffering from the disease for the first time in their life. Malaria is found mainly in Africa, south of the Sahara, as well as in Southeast Asia and around the equator in South America. Sometimes malaria mosquitoes can also be found on the islands of the Caribbean Sea. People traveling to these areas are advised to take anti-malarial drugs. They do not give 100 percent. certainty of avoiding the disease, but they protect against its severe course. Medicines are available only by prescription. The most popular are malarone and lariam. You must start taking the medicine before you go, and continue treatment for a few days after your return. It is not recommended to take the drug longer than 28 days. In addition, you need to protect yourself against mosquitoes on the spot.
Vaccination against hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer. It can be infected practically anywhere. Infection occurs through cuts, at the hairdresser or beautician, and even using medical assistance, also through blood transfusion and sexually. That is why vaccination is recommended for everyone, not only those going to exotic countries. The vaccine costs about PLN 50. It gives a very long resistance – up to 20 years.
Vaccination for typhoid fever
Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease that spreads primarily through the ingestion. It is caused by bacteria that die at 60 ° C after several minutes. Therefore, infection is most often caused by drinking unboiled water or eating contaminated raw vegetables and fruits or dairy products. The likelihood of infection increases in countries with hot climates where the sanitary and epidemiological status is poor. The disease is characterized by high fever, severe abdominal pain, blood in the stool. She is treated for about a month. Vaccination against typhoid fever is recommended for individual tourists traveling to the countries of Africa, Asia and South America. The greatest threat is in India. Protection lasts three years. It costs about PLN 130.
Poliomyelitis virus
Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that occurs rarely, especially in areas where compulsory vaccinations are not performed or are carried out irregularly. In extreme cases, it can lead to paresis. The virus is transmitted by food and droplets. It infects a sick person or virus carrier. People whose immunity has expired are at risk of falling ill. In Poland, this vaccine is mandatory. A booster dose is recommended before a long trip to tropical countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and India. Vaccination is valid for 10 years. It costs about PLN 50.
Vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria
Vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria are mandatory in Poland. The last vaccination is at the age of 19. Diphtheria has been eradicated in many countries but is still present worldwide. It is a bacterial disease transmitted by airborne droplets as a result of direct contact with the patient or carrier. The administration of an additional booster dose of the vaccine extends immunization by another 10 years.
You can catch tetanus by contaminating the wound. Tetanus can be found in soil. The disease is very serious, causes muscle spasms, and sometimes leads to death. Due to the high risk of injury, a booster dose is indicated if 5 to 10 years have elapsed since the primary immunization. After an injury, tetanus is prevented by surgically dressing the wound. At the same time, an antiserum is administered.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a disease that spreads through the ingestion. Cases are noted all over the world, especially where sanitary and hygienic conditions are not the best. The disease is usually mild, sometimes asymptomatic. There are rarely serious complications. Some people have natural immunity after getting sick. It is recommended to get vaccinated at least 4 weeks before departure. The vaccine costs about PLN 100.
Vaccinations for cholera and Japanese encephalitis
Vaccination against cholera is only recommended for people working in conditions of high exposure. It does not give 100 percent. warranty and provides only a few months of protection.
The vaccine against Japanese encephalitis is not available in Poland. Japanese encephalitis occurs in China, Burma, India, Bangladesh, Gabon, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Mosquitoes are the disease that often causes permanent brain damage and even death.
Meningococcal infection
Before going to Saudi Arabia, but only on a pilgrimage to Mecca, vaccination against meningococcal infections is mandatory. They cause meningitis. The symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, headache, rash, epilepsy. The infection occurs through droplets and through direct contact with a sick person or a healthy carrier. It sometimes happens that the disease is very rapid and in one day after infection it leads to a very serious condition. Treatment requires hospitalization. Immunity appears two weeks after vaccination and lasts for 3 to 5 years. It costs about PLN 110.