Traveler's guide to avoiding infectious diseases

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Infectious diseases and travelers

Malaria

Travelers' health; Infectious diseases and travelers

The best way to stay healthy during travel is to prepare before you leave and take appropriate preventive measures while traveling. Different areas of the world have different diseases and require different precautions. Factors that contribute to these differences include:

• Local climate
• Native insects
• Parasites
• Sanitation

The best public sources for up-to-date travel information are the:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) -- www.cdc.gov/travel
• World Health Organization (WHO) -- www.who.int/en

BEFORE TRAVEL

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Talk to your health care provider or visit a travel clinic 4 - 6 weeks before you leave for your trip. You may need a series of pre-travel vaccinations. Some vaccines need time to become effective.

Depending on the destination, updating or "boosting" routine vaccinations is sometimes recommended. Examples of routine vaccinations include:

• Diphtheria
• Measles - mumps - rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Tetanus

You also may need other vaccines for diseases that are not commonly found in North America. Examples of recommended vaccines include:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Meningococcal
• Typhoid

Certain countries have required vaccinations. You may need proof of vaccination to enter the country.

Yellow fever vaccination is required to enter several Sub-Saharan, Central African, and South American countries. Meningococcal vaccination is required to enter Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage. For a complete list of country requirements, check the CDC or WHO web sites.

People who may have different vaccine requirements include:

• Children
• Elderly people
• People with weakened immune systems or HIV
• Pregnant or breast-feeding women

Check with your health care provider or local travel clinic.

MALARIA PREVENTION

Malaria is a blood parasite transmitted to people by the bite of certain mosquitoes. The disease is a risk mainly in tropical and subtropical climates.

If you are traveling to a region where malaria is common, you may need to take medications that prevent the disease before you travel, during your travel, and for a short period after you return. The effectiveness of these medications can vary, and you may also need to take additional insect precautions.