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ASK THE DOCTOR Travel Vaccines
Q: We recently went on a package holiday trip to Morocco and two of my friends had severe stomach upset. We ended up going to the hospital and the doctor asked us if we had any travel vaccines before taking the trip. I thought that my vaccines during childhood would be sufficient, are there any other vaccines that I should have had before going?
A: Stomach upsets and diarrhoea are very common when travelling. Contaminated food and water is a major cause of illness and care is especially important when eating out in countries where local hygiene is poor. Unaccustomed spices or oil in food as well as alcohol can also lead to stomach upsets. You should consider taking an ant diarrhoeal (e.g. Imodium) preparation.
South Africans are particularly poor at getting travel vaccines. There are various different vaccines available and most foreign countries advise certain vaccines before travelling. Here are a few examples:
Tetanus vaccines are advised for those likely to sustain skin injuries (e.g. on beaches) or mixing closely with the local population in countries where these diseases are still common. Boosters advised every 10 years.
Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are important for those who are not able to be careful about their food and water hygiene in risk areas. Tour operators usually carefully choose their hotels but accidents happen and eating out may be risky in poorer countries.
Influenza vaccine can be considered for those who might get a more severe illness such as those with existing chest problems (e.g. asthma). MediClinic vaccinate against flu annually from October to February.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary for crossing borders in many parts of Africa and South America.
Tick borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is a serious disease carried by ticks. It is usually found in central and Eastern Europe. There has been a surge in outbreaks in Germany and Austria, and local doctors are urging travellers to vaccinate themselves before travelling to these countries.
MediClinic offers a comprehensive travel health service including Malaria advice and tablets. We provide free travel consultations when receiving your vaccines with us. Please visit our website for further advice, prices and validity. Call us today to book your appointment!
A: Stomach upsets and diarrhoea are very common when travelling. Contaminated food and water is a major cause of illness and care is especially important when eating out in countries where local hygiene is poor. Unaccustomed spices or oil in food as well as alcohol can also lead to stomach upsets. You should consider taking an ant diarrhoeal (e.g. Imodium) preparation.
South Africans are particularly poor at getting travel vaccines. There are various different vaccines available and most foreign countries advise certain vaccines before travelling. Here are a few examples:
Tetanus vaccines are advised for those likely to sustain skin injuries (e.g. on beaches) or mixing closely with the local population in countries where these diseases are still common. Boosters advised every 10 years.
Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are important for those who are not able to be careful about their food and water hygiene in risk areas. Tour operators usually carefully choose their hotels but accidents happen and eating out may be risky in poorer countries.
Influenza vaccine can be considered for those who might get a more severe illness such as those with existing chest problems (e.g. asthma). MediClinic vaccinate against flu annually from October to February.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary for crossing borders in many parts of Africa and South America.
Tick borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is a serious disease carried by ticks. It is usually found in central and Eastern Europe. There has been a surge in outbreaks in Germany and Austria, and local doctors are urging travellers to vaccinate themselves before travelling to these countries.
MediClinic offers a comprehensive travel health service including Malaria advice and tablets. We provide free travel consultations when receiving your vaccines with us. Please visit our website for further advice, prices and validity. Call us today to book your appointment!
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