Immunizations

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver spread by person-to-person contact or through contaminated food and water. It is one of the most common diseases for which travelers are at risk. Symptoms appear suddenly 2 to 6 weeks after infection and can range from a mild, flu-like ailment with fever to a full-blown illness that can progress to jaundice and liver failure. Fatigue is usually the first sign of illness, followed by nausea and lack of appetite. Most people also have mild pain over the liver (just under the rib cage, on the right side of the body).

Countries of Risk:
Hepatitis A occurs worldwide, although there is less risk to those traveling exclusively in Australia, Canada, northern and western Europe, Japan, New Zealand and the United States.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Practice good personal hygiene and follow food and water precautions carefully. Hepatitis A vaccine provides long-lasting immunity: it is given in a single dose at least 2 weeks before departure with a booster 6 months later. You can also receive temporary protection with an immune globulin injection. Consult your healthcare provider about which method is appropriate for your needs.

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a liver infection spread by contact with blood, usually through contaminated needles, razors, or medical and dental instruments. It can also be contracted via tattooing, sexual contact, blood transfusion or wound contamination. Some cases have even been attributed to everyday accidents such as nicks during haircuts or manicures. Symptoms include nausea, fatigue, jaundice and loss of appetite, which typically begin 3 to 4 months after infection. Some victims develop chronic hepatitis and can spread the disease to others for the rest of their lives.

Countries of Risk:
Hepatitis B is widespread in many developing countries, especially in Africa, southeast Asia, the Middle East (except Israel), south and western Pacific Islands, the interior Amazon basin and certain parts of the Caribbean.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Travelers should avoid casual sexual contacts and use latex condoms correctly for every sexual contact. Additionally, never use needles, razors, shavers or toothbrushes that were used by other people. Don’t get tattoos or have any part of your body pierced during your trip. Your healthcare provider may recommend vaccination, especially if you are a frequent or long-term traveler or if you are anticipating medical care while abroad. Hepatitis B vaccination consists of a series of at least 3 injections over a 6-month period.

What is Hepatitis E?

Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease, and contaminated water or food supplies have been implicated in major outbreaks. Symptoms include nausea, fatigue, jaundice and loss of appetite, abdominal pain & fever. Mortality rates are generally low.

Countries of Risk:
Hepatitis E can be found worldwide, though it is most often found in developing countries near the equator. Outbreaks are associated with rainy seasons, floods, and overcrowding. It has been found in much of Central and South East Asia, North and West Africa, and in Mexico, confined to geographic areas where fecal contamination of drinking water is common.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Travelers should avoid tap water when traveling internationally and should practice good hygiene and sanitation. There is no vaccine for hepatitis E; the only way to prevent the disease is to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. Hepatitis E is a self-limiting disease, in that it usually goes away by itself and the patient recovers.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by infected female mosquitoes. Malaria may occur as soon as one week after you enter the tropics, and may progress rapidly to cause seizures, coma, breathing and kidney problems, and death. The initial symptoms of malaria look much like the common flu: fever, chills, headache, and generalized aches and pains. You will need a blood test to determine if you have malaria.

Countries of Risk:
Malaria is found in many parts of the world including sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and the islands of the South Pacific.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Rigorously follow your physician’s instructions about taking any prescribed medications for the prevention of malaria before, during, and after travel. Always practice personal precautions against mosquito bites between dusk and dawn. If you suspect you may have malaria, see a qualified physician immediately.

Follow this link to the CDC for the latest updates on prescription drugs for malaria:

Malaria Prevention Medications

What is Meningococcal Disease?

Meningococcal disease is spread among people through direct contact or inhalation of bacteria (coughing or sneezing). Most people are symptomless or experience a mild upper respiratory infection, but serious cases can cause fever, chills, vomiting, drowsiness and body rash. Severe cases may lead to meningitis.

Countries of Risk:
Large epidemics have occurred in sub-Saharan Africa during the dry season, in Saudi Arabia, and in areas of India and Nepal.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Crowds and close physical contact with strangers increase the risk of transmission, especially in areas with recent outbreaks. While cases in travelers are rare, the seriousness of the disease makes vaccination a reasonable precaution for travelers to countries where epidemics have occurred. Meningococcal vaccine is given in a single injected dose. Those who participate in an annual pilgrimage to Mecca (Haji or Umra) are required to produce a certificate of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis issued not more than 3 years and not less than 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia.

What are Measles?

Measles causes fever and a rash that can lead to pneumonia, ear infection, and neurologic problems. It is prevalent in the developing world and is transmitted easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing or direct contact.

What are Mumps?

Mumps causes fever and swelling of the glands in the mouth and throat area and, in men, may affect the testicles.

What is Rubella?

Rubella (German measles) is a disease of concern for pregnant women, whether traveling or not. The potential for exposure is, however, greater in developing countries. The disease can cause severe damage to the unborn child.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella is customarily given during childhood. If your travel plans will interrupt the normal immunization schedule for your children, discuss their needs with your physician. Anyone born in 1957 or later, who have never had measles or mumps, should be immunized prior to international travel. All female adolescents and women of childbearing age, who have never had rubella or been immunized, should seriously consider vaccination. Vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella consists of one injection for adults and one injection plus a booster dose for children.

What is Japanese Encephalitis?

Japanese Encephalitis is a viral illness that infects the brain, leading to brain damage and sometimes death. The illness begins with fever, chills, malaise, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Central nervous system infections develop consisting of a stiff neck, delirium, paralysis, possibly tremors, and convulsions. It is transmitted by mosquitoes in various areas of Asia: from India east to Korea, Japan, and Indonesia.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Everyone over the age of one year traveling to Asia during the Japanese encephalitis transmission season should consider vaccination if they plan on spending three weeks or more in rural areas. You may need vaccination when traveling for a shorter period of time or if your plans include plenty of time outdoors in rural areas.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a rare infection of the brain that follows a bite, scratch, or less commonly, a lick from an infected animal. It is more common in many developing countries than in the U.S. Rabies is most often fatal if not treated, but can be prevented by prompt immunization after exposure.

Rabies
Vaccination is normally given after contact with a suspect animal. However, people whose travel or work abroad may involve more frequent animal contact such as veterinarians, agricultural specialists and especially hikers in rabies risk areas would benefit from a rabies pre-exposure vaccine series before departure.

What is Typhoid Fever?

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection prevalent in countries with warm climates and poor sanitary conditions. It is usually spread through contaminated food, water or other beverages or person to person. Typhoid fever is characterized by high fever, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite and dizziness. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, chills and constipation or diarrhea.

Countries of Risk:
Typhoid fever is common in many developing countries of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Vaccination is available in oral form (series should be completed at least one week before departing for optimum protection) or by injection (should be completed at least two weeks before departure).

What is Yellow Fever?

Yellow fever is named after the usual jaundice (yellow eyes and skin) that results from viral invasion of liver cells in severe cases. Infected mosquitoes spread the disease from person to person when they bite. Most cases are mild, beginning with sudden headaches, fever, and exhaustion but some cases can be more severe and fatal.

Countries of Risk:
The disease is carried by some species of mosquitoes in Central and South America and in tropical regions of Africa.

Preparations for Travel to Risk Areas & Recommended Immunizations:

Yellow fever vaccine consists of a single injected does, given at least 10 days before your departure date. It is effective for 10 years. Since the rare severe case can be fatal and the vaccine is highly effective, your health care provider may recommend vaccination if you are traveling to an area of yellow fever risk. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry to some countries.

Travelers Immunization Center is certified by the California Department of Public Health to administer and document proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for international travel.