Monday, October 21, 2013

Learn about yellow fever shots and vaccine before heading for the trip!

The most important step to adhere before heading to South America or Africa is intake of yellow fever vaccine. It is a preventive measure to safeguard yourself and our loved ones, who will travel in those locations.

Yellow fever is a deadly viral infection found in parts of South America, and West and Central Africa. Due to bite of an infected mosquito people living in there or travelling in those locations, come across flu-like illness, jaundice, liver failure, respiratory failure, kidney failure, vomiting of blood, and possibly death.

The symptoms of this disease are not visible instantly, but begin 3 to 6 days after infection. However, if taken precautions beforehand then one will be able to safeguard their lives form the life-threatening disease.

Here precautions refer to yellow fever shots needed to take 10-15 days prior the trip before one gets expose to the virus.

However, before taking the vaccine few things are ought to known by the traveler. Let’s gets started:
  • Vaccine shots given to adults and to children are who are of 9 months.
  • After every 10 years, yellow fever vaccine is must to be taken by people.
  • Vaccines categorized in three types: routine, required, and recommended.  In some cases, vaccines recommended in some areas and required in other countries.
  • Patients who are suffering from HIV, cancer, thymus disorder, they are not supposed to take these vaccines. Moreover, even pregnant women’s can’t go for it.
  • People visiting South America and Africa fall in category of required type need to also present vaccinations certificate to the authorities. Travelers without the proof of vaccination will neither not be allowed to enter the country or get denial for visa.
  • People who have taken this vaccine in past, they still need to take booster in order to be safe from allergic reactions of this life threating disease. However, it’s must for traveler to tell the doctor, if he or she has taken the shots earlier.
  • Besides attaining vaccine, a track of side effects should also be known so that one does not get panic, if one experiences any allergy or side effects.   Some get allergic to egg protein, get mild or severe headache, muscle ache and low grade fever. In addition to it, people can also face shortness of breath, lip or tongue swelling etc.
  • Besides attaining vaccine, some other precautions that one must take are as follows: stay in air-conditioned areas, cover your body properly so that mosquito does not bite and make use of insect repellants that will help keep the mosquitos away.

If you are heading to South America or Africa, make sure you and your loved one have taken yellow fever shots .