Travel to Developing Countries - General Health Precautions

(Page 2)

• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis: Pertussis (whooping cough) has been added to the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine. The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends this triple vaccine for infants, children, and adults. Infants and children are generally vaccinated against these three diseases, but until recently teens and adults did not receive whooping cough immunizations. Travelers who require tetanus boosters should check with their doctor about receiving the new DTaP vaccine.
• Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for people traveling to countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine is especially important for people who expect to have close or sexual contact with the local population. Blood transfusions and receiving tattoos are other common means of exposure to hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis A: Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for all travelers to developing countries.
• Haemophilus influenza b (Hib): Infections with the Hib bacteria can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and other potentially life-threatening diseases. Babies should receive 3 doses of Hib vaccine, usually at 2, 4, and 12 months of age. All children under 5 should receive this vaccine. Older children and adults who are immunocompromised, have no working spleen, or have sickle cell disease should also be vaccinated.
• Mumps: Infection with the virus that causes mumps can lead to severe complications, such as deafness or meningitis. The mumps vaccine is part of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) combined vaccine. Children should receive 2 doses, the first at 12 - 15 months and the second dose at least 28 days after the first, but usually by the age they enter school. Anyone who was born after 1956 and has not had these diseases should be vaccinated.
• Rubella: Rubella can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected with the virus. The rubella vaccine is part of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) combined vaccine. Children should receive 2 doses, the first at 12 - 15 months and the second dose at least 28 days after the first, but usually by the age they enter school. Anyone who was born after 1956 and has not had these diseases should be vaccinated. Women should not become pregnant within 3 months of vaccination.
• Rotavirus: Rotavirus causes severe, sometimes life-threatening, diarrhea in babies and young children. Babies should receive 3 doses, the first by 14 weeks of age, the last by 32 weeks of age.
• Varicella (Chickenpox): The chickenpox vaccine is normally given to babies in 2 doses, one at 12 - 15 months and the second dose at least 3 months after the first, but usually by the age they enter school. Those older than 13 who were neither vaccinated nor had chickenpox should get 2 doses at least 28 days apart. A combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine is available. The CDC reports, however, that fever and rash are more common with the MMRV vaccine than with separate administrations of the MMR and chickenpox vaccines.
• Polio: Polio still exists in parts of Asia and Africa. Babies should receive 2 doses of the vaccine, and a booster dose between the ages of 4 and 6 years. Adults who plan to travel to areas where polio still exists should check with their health care provider or travel clinic about the need for polio vaccination or booster. Since 2000, the only form of polio vaccine given in the United States is the inactivated vaccine.
• Pneumococcal Vaccine (PPSV): Pneumococcal disease can cause fatal pneumonia, life-threatening blood infections, and meningitis. Adults may benefit from the pneumococcal vaccine if they are aged 65 and older, have chronic heart or lung disease, are diabetic, or have certain conditions that compromise their immune systems (such as cancer or AIDS). Children over the age of 2 with the same immune-compromising conditions should also receive the vaccine. NOTE: A different pneumococcal vaccine, called PCV, is available for infants and toddlers (under 5 years of age). The PCV vaccine is currently a routine vaccination for the very young, and is not meant for use in adults and older children.
• Influenza: Upper respiratory infections are very common after foreign travel. The influenza vaccine may be recommended when traveling to any country during flu season, particularly if you are elderly or at risk for serious illness.

---

---