Immersing yourself in other cultures, terrain, and history is an important part of the human experience. When mapping out the distant lands you want to see and exciting cuisine you'll savor, don't forget to add getting vaccinated to your travel preparations. A travel vaccine introduces into your body a small amount of a virus or bacteria common to certain areas of the world to build immunity from infectious diseases. Here is a guide to commonly asked questions about travel vaccines. 

Commonly Asked Questions About Travel Vaccines

Do I need a travel vaccine?

In almost all cases, a travel vaccine is strongly recommended or required. There are some vaccines you may have already had or vaccines specific to the location you are traveling. The countries you visit, accommodations, length of time you stay, season, foods you plan to eat, and previous health conditions will all affect your susceptibility against infectious diseases. 

Do vaccines have side effects?

While it's impossible to get a virus from a vaccine, you may experience some side effects. The most common side effect is pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. As your body builds immunity, you may also experience headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, mild fever, or chills. These reactions should be mild and short-lived. If you have any questions about a symptom, talk to your primary care physician. 

What are common travel-related diseases?

Common diseases world travelers are familiar with are yellow fever, malaria, and typhoid. Yellow fever is a disease transmitted through mosquito bites and is required for travelling in South America and Africa. Also transferred through mosquitos is Malaria, which is necessary for travel in Africa, Latin America, parts of the Caribbean, South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the South Pacific. Typhoid can be passed through contaminated food and water and is recommended for places where it is regularly found, which are commonly underdeveloped areas. 

How long before traveling should I get the vaccine?

Each person's medical history and the vaccines themselves will affect when you will need to start the process. However, about eight weeks prior to a trip should give you enough time. If you need more than one vaccine or a series, you will need a week or two between doses. Additionally, you will need a few weeks for your body to build antibodies before traveling. If it is a difficult vaccine to access, give yourself ample time to locate a provider.

Whether you're a globetrotter or homebody, residents in Dothan, AL, choose Fairview Clinic for their medical care. This team of primary care physicians offers a wide variety of high-quality services, including laboratory testing, preventative care, and infectious disease treatment. Their safe, comfortable environment and physician-patient relationships are what set this clinic apart from the rest. From health screenings to diabetes treatment, all patients 13 or older can benefit from their patient-first care. To learn more about their talented practitioners, visit their website. To schedule an appointment, call (334) 794-3192.