Travel to Brazil—South America’s Breathtaking Wonderland Top Tourist Attractions and Shot Information

Travel is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Getting aboard that jet and stepping into another culture for a week or two is sort of like having your own personal time machine. Each area on Earth has its own unique flavor. From gentle and calm to exciting and dangerous you’ll find someplace that makes you buzz. Like all good experiences travel comes with some risks, the most dangerous of which can be taken care of via a quick and affordable shot. One of the most popular areas in the world for those who enjoy travel is South America—Brazil in particular.

Why travel to Brazil? Why, Brazil has it all! From sumptuous booty-licious beaches where half-naked Goddesses romp around to ancient Catholic churches where the faithful have been flocking for hundreds of years. Anyone who has traveled to this part of the world will tell you how friendly the people are and how delicious their freshly prepared meals of fish and game are. Brazil has thousands of miles of lush tropical rain forests to explore as well as cosmopolitan cities to shop to you drop. It is in the wilder areas where a shot begins to make more sense.

Brazil is a gigantic country and takes up almost half of its continent, making it the fifth largest country in the entire world! This rich hodge-podge of a nation boasts over 4,600 miles of coastline, quaint colonial towns, and dense over-grown tropical islands. Some of the most popular tourist attractions of Brazil are huge cascading waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and pristine untouched Amazon wilderness. In fact, Brazil still has several tribes living within its forests that are completely self-sufficient and cut off from civilization as we know it. Remember to visit a certified travel clinic before your trip to make sure you are administered the correct shot so that you will be provided the best protection against illness possible.

While in Brazil (protected via shot, of course) make sure you travel the country to see its many different aspects. One of the most popular attractions is the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Located at the top of Corcavado mountain inside the sprawling city of Rio de Janeiro. This 130 foot tall statue of Jesus Christ has become an icon of the country. On a Sunday (of all days!) in February of 2008, lightening struck the statue damaging its head, eyebrows and fingers. The Brazilian government soon repaired the damage and today the statue stands as a beacon to the faithful just as it has since it construction began in 1922.

For many a world traveler, another high point of Brazil is Rio’s Carnival. This annual event is known for its jubilance and raw sensuality. (So much so that the shot you may need to visit the Carnival will be for a STD instead of protection against a tropical mosquito-borne illness!) Beginning way back in 1773, this celebration of Roman Catholicism’s festival of Lent has become a highly anticipated country-wide party including floats, dancers, acrobats, costumed performers of every ilk, and loud, booming music. Travel to Brazil during Carnival for a rowdy never-to-be-forgotten once-in-a-lifetime event!

Carnival in Brazil is not for everyone. Many travelers prefer a different kind of vacation; one where the majestic landscape is center stage instead of scantily clad belly dancers. It is in these beautiful wild areas of Brazil that diseases like yellow fever, malaria, hepatitis A and typhoidare of much greater concern than they are in the cities. Visit a friendly neighborhood travel clinic in your neck of the woods where they will be happy to offer advice on and administer any shot that may be deemed appropriate.

If you happen to live in the New York City area and are planning a trip get Brazil Travel Shots NYC in the near future, you may want to log onto travel clinic NYC for more information on remaining as healthy as possible during your trip. Located a convenient two blocks from Grand Central Station, this certified travel clinic is a discreet, affordable and respected medical facility. Appointments are easy to arrange due to their extended weekday and weekend hours. Simply dial 1-212-696-5900 to speak to a caring staff member today. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay vaccinated!

Three Reasons to get a Yellow Fever shot.

Headed on a trip, but unsure what vaccinations you should get before you go?  All the recommendations and requirements can be confusing at first, but checking the listings on the Center for Disease Control and scheduling a consult with a travel health doctor at a specialized travel clinic are good places to start.  If you are headed to a tropical or subtropical region of South America or Africa, you may be exposed to yellow fever, a virus spread by contact with some species of primates as well as the bite of female mosquitos. Yellow fever can be dangerous, so if you’re traveling to an area where the disease is prevalent, here are three good reasons to visit a travel doctor.

1. Yellow fever is an incurable, potentially fatal disease. Symptoms of the virus initially include fever, nausea and general body pain, which wane after several days.  Some patients then enter a toxic phase in which liver damage occurs, and may lead to death. Jaundice, the yellow hue many patients acquire in the advanced stages of liver failure is the reason for “yellow” in the name “yellow fever.” Yellow fever also puts patients at an increased risk of bleeding, and so is categorized as a hemorrhagic fever. (Other diseases classified as hemorrhagic fevers include Lassa virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic virus, Ebola, dengue, and several types of encephalitis.)  Symptoms of this increased bleeding risk include internal bleeding, vomiting blood, and arrhythmic heartbeats. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 30,000 deaths annually, and besides the preventative vaccine there is no known therapy or cure.

2. Yellow fever is on the rise. Several historic epidemics of the virus have been reported to have swept across the Americas, Africa and Europe, particularly in the 1800s, when it was considered one of the most deadly diseases around. However, since the 1980s the number of yellow fever cases reported has been increasing again—likely because of land disturbances and population shifts due to unrest in risk-prone regions—causing worldwide health authorities to classify yellow fever as a reemerging disease.

3. The yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into certain countries.  Countries that currently require proof of immunization for all travelers older than the age of one are: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, French Guiana, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, and Togo.  Additionally, many other countries have policies that dictate requirements based on a traveler’s departure country, or whether the traveler has passed through a yellow fever risk country (or in some cases even its airport) before arriving at their destination. The Center for Disease Control’s website also hosts a comprehensive list of countries’ requirements for proof of immunization before entry.  When you get vaccinated for yellow fever, your travel health provider will issue you an internationally accepted proof of immunization certificate, which is valid for ten years.  In countries mandating vaccination, your vaccination certification will be just as important as your passport when it comes to admission through customs, so don’t forget it!

If you’re getting ready for a trip abroad and are based in or around New York City, consider a visit to the Travel Clinic of New York for a get yellow fever shot in NYC and travel health and safety information from a travel health specialist.  During a consultation tailored to fit your travel itinerary, your Travel Clinic NYC doctor can give you more information on the reasons to get vaccinated for yellow fever, administer your vaccine and give you your certification all at a convenient time and an affordable price. You can even make an appointment online at: Travel Clinic NYC.

ABCs of Yellow Fever Vaccination

If you’re planning a travel adventure and are looking for a unique and exotic experience, chances are you’ve considered visiting some of the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa or South America.  Whether you want to trek through the Brazilian rainforest or catch a wave on the West African coast, these two regions of the world have a lot to offer tourists, including diverse natural landscapes, cultures and histories. However, these areas are also both labeled by the Center for Disease Control as regions with endemic prevalence of the disease yellow fever.  Luckily, learning about the disease and getting vaccinated is as easy as ABC!

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of female mosquitos. Some primates are also known to carry the disease. Those infected experience a range of symptoms, most often fever, nausea vomiting, and body aches lasting several days.  After the initial symptomatic period, many patients get better without any further complications, but some enter a second “toxic” stage, which initiates liver failure; the resulting jaundice is the reason the disease was named “yellow.”  Patients who experience this toxic phase of the disease are at increased risk of hemorrhaging, and may bleed internally and vomit blood, while also experiencing any combination of other symptoms like delirium, seizures, kidney and liver failure, coma and eventually death. The World Health Organization’s statistics report approximately 30,000 yellow fever deaths annually.

 Since there is no cure or therapy, and no way to tell whether an individual will heal quickly or experience the toxic phase of the disease, vaccination is very important for all travelers with high-risk destinations. The yellow fever vaccination is a live, weakened version of the virus given as an injection by a certified travel doctor.  Side effects of the vaccine, if any, are generally mild and may include fever, aches or soreness and swelling at the site of injection. In extremely rare cases, about one person out of 125,000, severe nervous system reactions have been reported. The vaccination takes 10-14 days to be fully effective, so be sure to schedule appointment with plenty of time before take-off. Once you’ve been immunized, the vaccine is good for ten years.

Some countries have deemed yellow fever such a big problem that they’ve developed laws requiring proof of immunization before you can enter the country.  Be sure to check your itinerary thoroughly against the Center for Disease Control’s website and talk to your travel health provider, because some countries have requirements about traveling through high-risk countries, even if you’ve just passed through the airport on layover to your final destination. When you receive your yellow fever vaccination your travel doctor should also give you a yellow card, signed and stamped, that will read “International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.”  This card acts as proof of your travel immunizations from a travel clinic, and will be needed for entry into countries with laws requiring the yellow fever vaccine.  Anyone without proof of vaccination that wishes to enter a country with a vaccine requirement may be forced to be revaccinated and detained for up to six days for observation to be sure that they are not infected, so if you want to save a lot of time and trouble, don’t forget your yellow card!  Since yellow fever is not a prevalent disease in North America, a family medicine provider may not be equipped with the vaccine and certification materials necessary for travelers headed to far-off lands.

That’s why a travel clinic staffed by practitioners who specialize in travel health medicine is often a better choice when you’re looking to get vaccinated for yellow fever in NYC.  If you live in or around New York City, consider the Travel Clinic of New York as the place to learn about and obtain your travel vaccines.  When you find a travel clinic NYC, you can make a convenient same-day, evening or weekend appointment with a travel health provider who will teach you the ABCS of yellow fever vaccination and certification, and help you plan for your travel health and safety wherever the wind takes you! Call (212) 696-5900 for your appointment today!  

Traveling Through India? Get Your Vaccinations!

Back in 1632, Emperor Shah Jahan began construction for his late wife’s mausoleum in Agra, India. Almost four centuries later, the Taj Mahal stands as one of the world’s most romantic acts and greatest monuments in history.

          Created and domed with precious white marble, the building employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen, and took about a year to complete. With its vaulted archways, arched balconies, elegant wall calligraphy, incised painting, finial floor tiling, graceful gardens and so on, the Taj Mahal is set on the checklist if you’re traveling through India.

          Don’t start packing your bags yet though.  There are a few other things on the checklist you need to get done before you even step foot in the country. Let’s start with travel vaccinations.

          For all the fun activities and amazing sights to enjoy, there are a number of illnesses and diseases you can easily contract in Southeast Asia. Among them include Whether caused by tetanus, polio, typhoid, hepatitis A, cholera, diphteria, hepatitis B, rabies, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis. While some of them you may have received at a younger age and others seem irrelevant, you don’t want to be taking chances.

          Not only will they disrupt and potentially ruin your vacation, some can cause permanent damage or even death. Whether by food contamination, insect/animal bites, or personal contact, there’s no way you want to be feverish with severe pain gripping your stomach while touring the Taj Mahal.

          If you’d rather not risk it, stop by your doctor’s to get India travel vaccination in NYC. It takes a fairly short amount of time compared to if you were suffering in India. So set off for your southeast adventure, but first, make sure you’re prepped.

          Need a doctor who work in a travel clinic in NYC? Try ours! Located at 274 Madison Ave. Suite 304, (or check out www.travelclinicny.com) I guarantee we can help make your vacation a success.

Health and Vaccination Information for Travel to Cambodia

From the architectural wonders of the Angkor Wat temple complex to the white sand beaches of Sihanoukville, at the heart of Southeast Asia, Cambodia has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, its affordable travel deals making this exotic destination accessible to a wide range of travelers.  But exposure to such diverse nature and geography involves some health risks as well, and travelers who are thinking about a trip to Cambodia should be sure to consider the proper vaccinations, antimalarial treatment, and other health precautions beforehand, to ensure their trip is a safe and enjoyable one.

The Center for Disease Control recommends that travelers to Cambodia be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and get typhoid vaccination.  Those who plan to spend a lot of time participating in outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, or working with animals, should also obtain a rabies shot.  And for travelers who plan to visit rural or farming areas, or in periods of increased disease prevalence, the vaccine against Japanese encephalitis is also recommended.  Before any trip abroad, travelers should check that their routine vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and polio are current. This is particularly true with regard to the measles vaccine in Cambodia; while the measles is no longer an active disease in the United States, recent cases have been reported in Cambodia and across Southeast Asia, so have your physician check your vaccination records to determine whether you need a booster shot for measles or any of your other routine immunizations.  Remember, most vaccines take four to six weeks to travel through the bloodstream and be fully effective, so plan ahead!

Malaria is present in most areas of Cambodia, excluding the temple complex at Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, and Lake Tonle Sap, so if you plan to visit an area in which you could be exposed, you should check with your family doctor about an antimalarial drug regimen. It is important to share your specific travel itinerary with your provider, as certain strains of malaria in Cambodia may be resistant to some drugs. And, like the vaccinations, antimalarial drugs may need a few weeks to take effect, so be sure to book an appointment with travel clinic in advance.

The CDC recommends procuring enough antimalarial drugs to last your entire trip, as antimalarial drugs manufactured abroad are not measured by FDA standards and may contain contaminants, produce dangerous side-effects, or be altogether ineffective.  The CDC recommends avoiding foreign antimalarial drugs, particularly Halfan, unless you have been diagnosed with malaria and have no other treatment options.  The same holds true for any other routine prescriptions you may need, as well as over-the-counter pain, anti-nausea, and allergy medication; quality and availability may vary, particularly in rural areas, so it’s best to pack what you need for your entire stay.

Other diseases present in Cambodia for which there are no available vaccines include dengue, filariasis and plague, all of which are transmitted by insect bite. The CDC suggests preventative measures like using insect repellent, mosquito netting, and wearing long-sleeve clothing, to protect against infection.  Some cases of avian flu have been reported in both birds and humans in Cambodia and around Southeast Asia, so the CDC recommends avoiding contact with the local bird population, including poultry farms and markets selling live birds.  Waterborne illnesses such as schistosomiasis and leptospirosis are also found in Cambodia.  Travelers can steer clear of these diseases by avoiding swimming in fresh water, and using iodine tablets to purify untreated drinking water.

If you’re planning to travel and need information about Cambodia travel vaccinations in NYC or other treatments, consider making an appointment with a certified professional at the Travel Clinic of New York. Travel clinic NYC offers all the convenience of a downtown NYC location, with evening and weekend office hours during which you can meet with a travel health specialist who can provide you with the vaccines, prescriptions and travel health advice you need based on your personal itinerary. 

Putting an Old Wives Tale to Rest & Where to Receive a Tetanus Vaccination in NYC

NYC is not the first place you think of when you think about tetanus. If you’re anything like me you think about moss-covered wooden shacks and rusty nails jutting out from old decrepit floorboards. Since not many people think like me (I’m an American original, you see…) you probably have a better idea than I do regarding the possibility of tetanus infection. And what causes it. I just learned there was a vaccination for it, so that proves I know next to nothing. Well I DID know next to nothing, but I did my research for this article. Travel with me, if you will, through a non-fictitious landscape where tetanus abounds!

Enough with the corny poetry-esque sentences, let’s discuss tetanus, What It Is, Its Symptoms and Its Vaccination, shall we? We shall. As previously stated, I whole-heartedly once believed that tetanus was caused by stepping on a rusted nail. At least that’s what I had heard throughout my long (-ish) life, attending summer camps and being a generally inquisitive-type brat. I am sure I am not the only kid from NYC who believed that tetanus was caught by stepping on a rusted nail. (After briefly questioning a few friends, it would seem my belief in this old wives tale has been confirmed.)

Let’s take a look at why this old wives tale has flourished. Tetanus is a bacterial disease that affects the nervous system. Anyone can catch it, whether from NYC or a small town in Oklahoma. Before this disease ravages the entire body it begins in the facial muscles, thus it has long been referred to as Lockjaw. Tetanus is only spread through an already existing wound where the bacteria can enter the bloodstream. The bacteria are found primarily in agricultural areas such as dirt, soil and animal manure. Herein lays the reason for the rusted nail myth…

Wherever there is dirt, soil and animal manure there’s probably going to be a few rusted nails poking up out of a few boards! The rusted nail does not cause the disease, rather it is the texture of the rusted nail which may harbor the bacteria that already exists in the surrounding dirt (soil and manure). It is recommended that anyone who spends a great deal of time outdoors—whether for fun or employment—should receive a tetanus vaccination. That includes anyone who works outdoors in NYC. Unfortunately, our fellow Americans know not the abundance of the green spaces in NYC. (It really is a shame. We have such lovely parks.)

The vaccination for tetanus is different from many other travel vaccinations in that it is a multi-step process. Most people receive the vaccination when they are children as a step toward entering school. However, booster shots are highly recommended if in a high risk group. Anyone who spends a large amount of time working in or around soil outdoors should contact a certified travel clinic and discuss with a doctor the risks associated with their lifestyle.

Untreated tetanus can cause spasms of the vocal chords and respiratory muscles, fractures of bones, hypertension, coma and even death. Vaccination is the best bet when attempting to safeguard your good health. There are many certified travel clinics in NYC ready and able to administer the vaccination for tetanus.

In fact, if one currently resides in NYC and are in need of a travel clinic for any reason—including a tetanus vaccination NYC—look no further than Travel Clinic NYC. This highly respected medical facility is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan and is easily accessible by both train and bus. Call 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment today. And like mother always said, “Don’t play in the dirt!”

Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects: Is It Worth The Risk?

Yellow fever is a devastating disease spread by the bites of mosquitoes (and primates!) and is still prevalent in Africa(Kenya, Zambia,etc), the Caribbean, and Central and South America(Brazil, Peru,etc). The yellow fever virus has probably existed in some form for thousands of years and is believed to have originated in Africa from other, very similar, viruses.

Traveling to these geographical locations where the disease is still rampant is risky without a yellow fever vaccination. Yet anyone who would rush out to get an inoculation without doing his or her homework on the effects and risks would be careless… at best.

Let us weigh the pros and cons of a yellow fever vaccine, shall we? First off, let’s look at what happens to a person who is infected with the virus. Symptoms of yellow fever include high fever, bloodshot eyes, furry tongue, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, muscle pains, kidney and liver inflammation, jaundice, gastrointestinal bleeding, delirium, convulsion…and vomiting blood. Although most people with yellow fever recover, between fifteen and fifty percent of patients with severe yellow fever disease succumb to it and die.

Now for the vaccination: The yellow fever vaccine has been administered for several decades. It is a live-yet-safe virus vaccine and just a single dose protects for a little over ten years. After the ten-year mark a booster shot is recommended. The vaccine can be administered to most anyone over the age of just nine months. It is recommended that pregnant women or persons suffering from any form of immune system suppression consult with a professional. This physician can help you weigh the risks of exposure against the risks of immunization.

All in all, it seems clear that anyone traveling to the above mentioned areas would benefit from receiving a yellow fever vaccination. For those located in New York City and the surrounding boroughs, the Travel Clinic NYC is a highly respected and professional medical center that is certified to administer the yellow fever vaccine, as well as many other travel related inoculations.

If international travel is in your near future, log onto get yellow fever vaccine in NYC for much more information and enjoy your travels safely.