Although there are outbreaks of meningitis in NYC, you should be far more worried if you are taking a trip overseas. The rare outbreak in NYC is usually contained to a school and typically affects one or two students. Overseas the disease is much more common place and a vaccination is recommended for many a world traveler.
What exactly is meningitis and why is a vaccination so important? Meningitis is a bacterial disease spread from one person to the next through coughing, sneezing or any other one-on-one type contact (such as smooching or sharing a hamburger or a cola). Although NYC is the type of city that a person-to-person infection can spread like wildfire, great medical care and the vaccination have made it a thankfully rare occurrence.
The symptoms of meningitis are the following: fever, painful headaches, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. Be on the lookout for these symptoms always, but if you are planning a trip overseas you should visit a certified travel clinic to see if your destination country is deemed high-risk. If it is—a vaccination is an intelligent choice to retain your good health while traveling.
Where in the world does meningitis still run rampant? There are many countries (and your doctor will know which ones), but the disease seems to be concentrated in several areas including the Mideast and Africa. Countries of destination where a vaccination is highly recommended include:
- · Angola
- · Benin
- · Burkina Faso
- · Burundi
- · Cameroon
- · Central African Republic
- · Chad, Cote d'Ivoire
- · Democratic Republic of the Congo
- · Eritrea
- · Ethiopia
- · Gambia
- · Ghana
- · Guinea
- · Kenya
- · Mali
- · Niger
- · Nigeria
- · Rwanda
- · Senegal
- · Somalia
- · Sudan
- · Tanzania
- · Togo
- · Uganda
- · Zambia
- · and Saudi Arabia
Although many of these countries are not popular tourist destinations, many Americans visit these places for pleasure, as well as in relation to their employment. Others visit these countries on humanitarian missions and with the military and its satellite agencies. A meningitis vaccination is always a good idea when in these regions.
There are different forms of meningitis, and these include viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis. Yet, no matter the strain, you will benefit from a vaccination. These vaccinations are quick, easy and affordable and are only available at a certified travel clinic. Luckily, NYC has more travel clinics than most areas in the United States.
As previously mentioned, those in America (and namely big cities such as NYC) should also be careful when it comes to this dangerous and potentially deadly disease. About three thousand people are diagnosed with meningitis in the United States each year and more than 300 of them will succumb to it and die.
The vaccination is administered as a single inoculation, not much of a physical price to pay for such an awful disease. Side effects are few and rare and may include redness at the injection site. This only occurs in ten to fifteen percent of those who receive the vaccination and will typically go away between twenty-four and forty-eight hours after the shot is administered.
For those in NYC who can choose a certified travel clinic, why not log onto Travel Clinic NYC This is a professional and discreet travel clinic located just blocks from Grand Central Station. Simply dial 1-212-696-5900 to make an appointment today. Remember that the meningitis vaccination is recommended to be administered two to three weeks before you travel.
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