Thursday, April 17, 2014

Are you travelling to meningitis belt prone areas?

Meningitis is a bacterial disease, which is caused because of contaminated food, water and respiratory secretions (e.g. coughing or sneezing). It is a communicable disease, which can be spread due to sharing drinking glasses or intimate contact.

Sudden fever, intense headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck are few of the common symptoms that people might face, if suffering from meningitis.

However, anyone can get meningococcal disease, but certain groups of people are at increased risk. From the word certain group, we here refer to travelers.

Travelers who are moving to locations like parts of Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, they are at a higher risk of getting in contact with this disease.

However, it is not necessary that travelers who are visiting these areas they are definitely going to catch this disease, but travelers who would be staying for long, live with locals in rural areas, attend the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia, visit the country during seasonal work or dry season, they are likely to get prone to meningitis.

Studies have shown that some age groups have higher rates of meningitis than others. These include children under age 5, teenagers and young adults age 16-25 and adults over age 55. However, it is more of a danger for people who are suffering with certain medical conditions such as damaged spleen, chronic disease, or immune system disorders.

Therefore, travelers who are travelling to such locations, they can prevent meningococcal disease by getting vaccination. Following is piece of information related to meningitis vaccine:

  • Meningitis A, C, W135 and Y types of vaccines are available.
  • Prior 2 to 3 weeks from travelling, vaccination is given to the person.
  • Adults and children get one dose, which last for 5 years.
  • For children under 5, protection last for 2 to 3 years.
  • Babies who are 2 months to 2 years old, they get 2 doses as protection in them does not last for a longer time as compared to adults.
  • Vaccine to babies under 2 months old is not suitable.
  • Travelers going to the Hajj needs to show proof of vaccination.
However, here the question arises from where one should get themselves vaccinated? Well, visiting a travel clinic is an optimal option here. They are expert in providing vaccinations to travelers in, which other centers are not equipped at (because they have complete information regarding the disease prone areas).

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A few effective ways for minimizing effects of jet lag

Traveling is one of the best activities for alleviating stress and tensions. Due to hectic life schedules, most of the people want to take off from their normal routines and prefer to vacate in a foreign country. Traveling gives them pleasure as they get an opportunity to visit places of their choice.

Most of the travelers are not familiar with risks of traveling to foreign countries. In case, if you are planning to visit Africa, then you need to be cautious as there are many health diseases, which are common in African countries. Nobody likes to fall sick, when vacating outside their native country.

In such circumstances, it would be a fair idea to visit a travel clinic to get detailed information about place you are planning to visit along with travel medicine by an expert in NYC. The experts in these clinics will not only provide you adequate ways for preventing health illnesses but also they will give you valuable tips for minimizing effects of jet lag.

When you travel abroad, you cross several times zones. The body clock gets disturbed on crossing time zones. In such condition, sleep, wakefulness and other activities get affected, causing irritability, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

The travel expert will let you know ways to prevent effects of jet lag, amongst those, the most important ones are as follows:

1. Consistent sleep pattern

Do not allow your sleep to get affected a few weeks before journey. Sleep well to reduce effects of jet lag. Apart from this, several days before your journey, adjust your internal clock according to place you are visiting. In simple words, follow time schedule of that place. Sleep according to clock of country you are planning to visit.

2. Prefer over night flights

Take your dinner at the normal time and prefer to sleep in the flight for hours you sleep daily. Doing so will make it easy for you to adjust according to present time zone.

3. Avoid drinking coffee

Do not drink coffee while traveling as it will reduce your sleep and make you awake for hours. Taking rest during traveling is the best way for reducing effects of altitude sickness and jet lag.

4. Drink lots of water

Stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty. Dehydration is common while traveling in a plane. Therefore, it is a must to drink lots of water to prevent feeling tired and fatigue.

5. Eat anti jet lag diet

Consult a travel expert to get information about food items that will minimize effects of jet lag.