WHAT ARE TRAVEL DISEASES?

Some travel diseases are yellow fever (found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America), Japanese encephalitis (found in China, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Eastern Europe, and parts of Oceania), meningococcal meningitis (seen in Sub-Sahara Africa, especially in areas extending from Mali eastward to Ethiopia), typhoid fever (seen in many countries of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America), rabies (found in countries of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America), flu, hepatitis, and malaria. Many of these diseases are not normally found in the United States.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM TRAVEL DISEASES?

Millions of children and adults travel abroad each year. While no one can guarantee that you or your child won't get sick while traveling, vaccines exist that can help prevent diseases not normally found in the United States.

These vaccines may have to be given at a specific time before a person leaves the country, and some require more than one dose. Schedule an appointment with your doctor at least 1 or 2 months before the planned trip. He or she will tell you which vaccinations you need and exactly when you need them.

Children may also need certain immunizations before departure to help protect them against diseases not normally found in the United States. It is also very important that children are up-to-date on all there routine immunizations (DTP, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles-mumps-rubella, and hepatitis B) before traveling to countries outside the United States. Ask your physician or a travel medicine specialist about the most current immunization recommendations and advice for particular destinations.

In addition to taking precautions before travel, illness in any traveler just returning from travel abroad should be thoroughly evaluated by a physician as soon as possible.

ARE THESE VACCINES GENERALLY SAFE?

Serious reactions are rare but may occur. There may by slight pain and redness where the vaccination is given. As with any vaccine, vaccination may not protect 100% of all those who are vaccinated.

Ask your doctor which vaccine you, your child, or others traveling with you will need before traveling.