The Time Is Now! : Yellow Fever Vaccination On the Rise

Summer may be gone but the door is still opened for mosquitoes to begin making their presence known. One would think that a bite from one of these insects is nothing to be concerned about because it is very common, but mosquitoes have been known to sometimes carry and transmit certain life-threatening diseases to people. One of the most dangerous is yellow fever.

No, this is not an article about mosquitoes but it is about how soon we must combat the threat of yellow fever, which especially in tropical regions around the globe has become more prevalent in recent years. Now, this is not to inflict fear upon anyone who is planning to enjoy a vacation on a nice beach or resort in some tropical region of any sorts but of course, our health is the most precious yet sensitive entity we must take care, especially if we are planning to visit regions where mosquitoes that carry yellow fever are common.

The mosquitoes that carry the virus principally exist in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world. Symptoms of the virus become noticeable about three to six days after exposure. Yellow fever in its’ early stages presents flu-like symptoms such as fever, consistent headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches which makes the virus hard to detect and differentiate from other illnesses. Only in its’ later stages do the more critical symptoms appear such as liver damage, bleeding of the gums, bloody urination, the slowing down and weakening of the pulse which leads to the occurrence of jaundice (yellow pigmentation of the skin). If not treated, internal bleeding can worsen which in turn can lead to permanent damage of the liver and ultimately even death. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 200,000 new cases of the virus every year with 30,000 of those cases becoming fatal.

 
According to the Department of Health from New York, there is reportedly no specific treatment for yellow fever but the only solution recommended to prevent infection would be immunization (or vaccination) especially for travelers who are planning to travel to areas where the virus exists. How soon should it be taken? If you are planning to travel this summer, the time is now. If you were considering possibly just taking a repellant against mosquitoes, it is no guarantee that it’ll prevent mosquito bites especially since most repellants wear off after only a couple of hours. 

The yellow fever vaccination is being highly recommended for travelers. No worries should be taken into consideration when pondering about the side effects as they are known to be only minor flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given. It occurs in up to 1 out of 4 persons and wears off after only a couple of days.  

Taking the time to schedule an appointment to receive vaccination would be bliss for you! Why? According to an article published by the World Health Organization in its’ Weekly Epidemiological Record, it is revealed that SAGE (Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization) has reviewed and concluded that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient enough to conjure life-long immunity against the virus! The time is now, it is not too late to schedule an appointment at a travel vaccination clinic for a yellow fever vaccination. For more info, visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment.

Find Out How You Measure Up Against Meningitis

Meningitis, or inflammation of the meningeal layers that cover the brain and spinal cord, may result from many causes. Due to these multiple means of exposure, meningitis can be contracted both in the United States and abroad. Learn the risk factors for this disease to decide whether you require vaccination.

How could I be exposed?   

There are five types of meningitis: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, and non-infectious, each of which involves a different point of exposure. These diseases also vary in severity and have different treatments.

Bacterial meningitis, or meningococcal meningitis, is the most common and serious form of the disease. It can cause brain damage and is fatal in 50% of untreated cases. Various bacteria may cause meningitis. In the United States, the most common are Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, and especially Neisseria meningitidis. The latter is also common in sub-Saharan Africa. These bacteria are transferred between individuals through respiratory or throat secretions. Therefore, common points of exposure include kissing, coughing or sneezing, and living in close quarters where eating and drinking utensils are shared. Travelers, especially those visiting the “meningitis belt” (Senegal to Ethiopia) of sub-Saharan Africa, or those making a pilgrimage to Mecca, face increased risk.

While the other types of meningitis are less common, they do continue to affect individuals and bear mention. Viral meningitis is the second most common type of the disease and is most often caused by enteroviruses, which are contracted through feces and may be spread through mucus or saliva. Fungal meningitis results when an inhaled fungus spreads through the blood to the spinal cord. This means of exposure is uncommon, and fungal meningitis cannot be passed between individuals, though it can severely compromise already weak immune systems, including those of individuals infected by HIV. The rare parasitic meningitis results from exposure to the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which enters the body through the nose when people swim in freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Finally, non-infectious meningitis may be the by-product of certain cancers, lupus, head injury, or brain surgery. Parasitic and non-infectious meningitis also cannot be spread between individuals.

What symptoms should I be aware of?

There are several characteristic symptoms of meningitis common to the disease, regardless of the type of exposure. Meningitis often first presents itself as the sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. The typical symptoms that develop within three to seven days after exposure include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Photophobia, a.k.a. increased sensitivity to light 
• Altered mental status, or confusion

Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately for antibiotic or antifungal treatment. Other drug regimens may also be undertaken, depending on the type of meningitis. However, for most individuals, vaccination is the most proactive of treatments.

Should I be vaccinated?

Administration of the meningitis vaccine can come in two forms: the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) and the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4). All adolescents should receive MCV4 at the age of 11 or 12. A booster dose should also be given at around age 16, because adolescents aged 16-21 have the highest rates of disease. The vaccine and booster are particularly important for entering college freshmen and military recruits, who will live in a dormitory or close quarters. Adults living in similar situations, or those traveling to countries in which the disease is common, should also seek out vaccination at a certified travel clinic.

The Hazardous Stages of Typhoid Fever and How To Stop It

Typhoid, also known as Typhoid Fever, is a very common worldwide bacterial disease that is transmitted when one ingests food or water that has been contaminated with feces from another infected person.  This disease, which is commonly referred to by many different names such as slow fever, gastric fever, nervous fever and more, has fallen immensely in terms of impact due to the development of sanitary techniques since the 20^th century.  Although Typhoid defines as “resembling typhus” and stems from the same neuropsychiatric symptoms, they are both distinctly different diseases caused by different types of bacteria. 

Untreated Typhoid Fever is categorized into four distinct and individual stages that each last around one week.  The patient during these four individual courses becomes increasingly exhausted and stretched, which leads them to lose an extreme amount of weight.  During the first week of Typhoid, the infected patient’s temperature rises slowly and steadily while suffering from malaise, headaches, and coughs.  One can also experience abdominal pains and bloody noses.  There is also a decrease in the number of circulating white blood cells.  In the second week of Typhoid, the infected person lies face down for extended periods of time with an extremely high fever reaching around 104 degrees F.  The contaminated patient also falls prey to bouts of delirium, which at times can range from calm to agitation.  These periods of delirium give Typhoid its moniker of “nervous fever”.  In about a third of the patients, red spots appear around the abdomen and the lower chest. Constipation is frequent in this stage as is diarrhea.  The liver and spleen also undergo tenderness and enlargement. 

In the third week of Typhoid, there are a number of different complications that can occur.  One of the complications that can happen is intestinal hemorrhaging, but fortunately this is not usually fatal, although it is very serious and dangerous.  Another complication, intestinal perforation in the distal ileum, also occurs in the intestine.  This specific symptom is very serious and frequently fatal, and can occur almost without warning.  One could also contract Encephalitis, while fever stays very high without much oscillation.  Dehydration succeeds and the patient continues to suffer from intense delirium.  By the end of the third week, the patient usually begins to recover from the condition with the fever decreasing in temperature and delusions cease.

Although simple development of sanitation and hygiene are the best ways of combating the disease, there is a vaccination to prevent Typhoid.  Transmission of Typhoid can only occur from human to human, so it can only spread in environment where human feces or urine comes in contact with water.  So if one is ever going to a developing country, vaccination is necessary, especially since Typhoid is such a dangerous infection.  There are two different types of typhoid vaccinations, one is a live vaccine administered orally and the other is an injectable subunit vaccine.  Boosters are highly recommended every five years. There are also antibiotics that may not completely cure Typhoid, but usually decrease the death rate to a mere 1%. Death rates in untreated patients range from 10 – 30$, so make sure if one ever comes across these symptoms, get it checked. Vaccinations can be administered at your local travel immunization clinic.

Why Rabies is Considered One of the Most Dangerous Viruses and How It’s Combated

Rabies is a zoonotic and viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm-blooded animals and is transferable between species, such as dogs and humans, commonly through bites from the infected.  Once contracted with rabies, the virus infects the central nervous system, which inevitably causes disease in the brain and can induce death.  Rabies is particularly fatal in humans if post-exposure prophylaxis it not administered before some of the more severe symptoms begin to occur. 

The Rabies virus travels to the brain by following the peripheral nerves and once infected, one enters an incubation period, which is common amongst viral diseases.  The incubation period usually lasts a few months for humans, and it depends on the distance the virus must travel to ultimately reach the central nervous system.  Unfortunately, after the virus reaches the central nervous and symptoms become prevalent, the infection becomes essentially untreatable and usually kills within days. Rabies annually causes 55,000 deaths worldwide with close to around 95% of these deaths occurring in Africa and Asia.  Another astonishing fact surrounding the rabies infection is that 97% of those who become infected were bitten and contaminated by dogs.  Rabid Dogs (dogs infected with the rabies virus) are very dangerous and aggressive, which leads to attacks.  Dogs that are infected usually appear with black swollen eyes, and they sometimes secrete a white, bubbly liquid from their mouths.  Because of control and vaccination programs in the United States, rabid dog attacks are nowhere near as high as they are in developing countries that lack proper care. However, it is very important to have your dog checked if it seems to behave more bizarrely than usual and is starting to produce any rabies related symptoms.  

  

After the incubation period, which has been documented to last as low as four days to as long as six years, all depending upon the distance of the bite from the central nervous system and the amount of the virus that enters the body.  Those who become contaminated initially begin to show minor symptoms such as headache, fever, or malaise.  Soon, more symptoms begin to arise such as paralysis, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, and agitation, which then leads in to more severe symptoms: mania, lethargy, uncontrolled emotions, hallucinations, and delirium.   After these unfortunate symptoms occur, the infected patient will eventually slip into a coma where he or she will more than likely die from respiratory insufficiency.  Although survival after the incubation period is rare, there are forms of prevention and treatments for those still in the incubation period.  

In terms of prevention, two French scientists, Louis Pasteur and Emile Roux, created the rabies vaccination in 1885.  Consisting of a sample of the virus that was harvested from rabbit, the vaccination actually weakened the virus even after one had become infected.  Recently, other form of the vaccine such as V-RG (recombinant rabies vaccine), which can be taken orally, have been created and administered throughout the world, greatly preventing the spread of the infection.  If one has already been exposed to the virus, he or she is given post-exposure prophylaxis, which is very effective in combating and preventing rabies after a rabid animal has bitten the patient.  This PEP is made from rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin and is administered several times after infection. Contact your local vaccination clinic today to make an appointment to vaccinate yourself against rabies!