Typhoid Fever and Food—“Gimme One with Mustard and a Shot!”

For those of us who enjoy world travel, we know just how exciting it is to sample the local cuisine. Aside from the museums and sunsets, tourist traps and photo ops—there is the local food. Many people even arrange their vacations according to the indigenous menu. Foie Gras in Paris, fresh sword fish in Indonesia, chocolate in Switzerland, well, you get the picture. Unfortunately, there are dangers that lurk in some international ingredients. There are germs, viruses, all types of infectious agents that silently lurk in the crevices and cracks of food abroad. When planning a trip overseas, one should always visit a certified travel clinic to arrange a one-on-one with a professional doctor who can carefully check your itinerary and recommend a vaccination or two to keep you safe.

Let’s take an illness like typhoid, for instance. Typhoid is still quite common throughout the developing world and infection rates are high. It is believed that over twenty-one million people a year become infected with typhoid. It is so easily passed on, there seems to be no stopping it in some areas of the world. Thankfully, anyone visiting these areas can have a typhoid vaccination administered before their journey begins to retain their good health during their trip.

What is typhoid? Typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by the germ Salmonella typhi. The bacterium lives in the blood and stomachs of some people who do not even realize they have it—nor do they show any symptoms! These individuals are called “carriers”. It is much easier to understand why and how the disease can spread and remain active when its means of infection are understood. In poorer countries where people do not have the luxury of visiting doctors unless they are in serious pain, identifying typhoid carriers is that much more difficult for authorities. This is one more reason why we Americans should take advantage of our superior healthcare system and receive the proper vaccination for our journey.

Developed countries in North America and in Europe have done a great job at eradicating the typhoid germ from their mainstream societies. It is in countries that are less developed, say India, Mexico, many countries in Central and South America, and many parts of Asia where the problem is still a big danger to the locals and the tourists alike.

How does typhoid spread? There’s just no way to sugarcoat this, so here it is: the carriers excrete the infection when they use the bathroom (as it lives in the urine and feces of those infected). The germs get on the hands and the hands handle food, it’s that simple. Once you ingest the contaminated food you are at risk of catching typhoid. Grandma always said wash your hands after you use the bathroom. Grandmas always know best! Grandma would also recommend a typhoid shot if visiting any of the at-risk areas mentioned above.

If a typhoid infection goes untreated (or unprotected via the vaccination) typhoid fever may develop. This sickness is quite common in those infected and includes the following symptoms:

Fever

Abdominal pain

Bowel movement problems

Headaches

Appetite reduction

Tiredness

Coughing

Blotches on the skin

If any of these symptoms occur while away—or after returning from a trip—it is well-past time to see a certified travel shot specialist. Typhoid is a life-threatening illness. It is nothing to be flippant about. Remember, it is much more effective to visit a travel clinic before your trip so that you can remain healthy on your journey. Receiving a simple vaccination makes much more sense than dealing with the repercussions of a typhoid infection.

If you live in New York City or the surrounding boroughs, please log onto TravelClinicNY.com for more information on typhoid, typhoid fever and the appropriate vaccination or vaccinations recommended for your specific journey. This certified travel clinic is located just blocks from Grand Central Station and is discreet and affordable—and offers extended weekday and even weekend hours. Call 1-212-696-5900 to get started today. Don’t wait to become infected before you get help. It is available now!

The Splendor of World Travel & Protection Via Vaccination

Worldwide travel is a hoot. If you haven’t done it yet, you really should! Sure it can wind up costing tons of cash—but it really doesn’t have to! No way, travel on a budget is totally possible and in some ways much more rewarding. For one thing, you are not artificially separated from the locals by expensive hotels and restaurants. There are bunch of things one must do before jetting off and visiting a certified travel clinic for an immunization or two is a great idea depending on where you are going.

Immunization is another word for vaccination and they are administered to combat and protect against any diseases that may be lingering in your country of destination. Diseases, you say? Yeah, but they’re nothing to worry about—even if according to the World Health Organization there are at least six thousand rare diseases and over twelve thousand other categories of disease across the globe. Sure the numbers seem dire, but that shouldn’t keep you from beginning to travel—one need only worry about contracting a microscopic percentage of existing diseases while traveling—and an immunization is available for each one.

Of course, we are being a tad light-hearted, but the facts are the facts, the world is a dangerous place, there’s no way around this. Yet, even though one may need a little extra protection against disease via an immunization while traveling, this no excuse to sit home and never experience the world in a first-person manner. Once you begin to travel, chances are you will never stop. It can be like an addiction; an addiction to other cultures, wondrous sites, delicious food, and friendly foreigners. These things all coalesce to make world travel one of the highlights of any fulfilling lifetime.

So where to go? Is there a place on earth that is more dangerous in terms of indigenous disease than any other? Well, yes, that continent is probably the continent of Africa. Once again, however, with the help of a certified travel doctor and his immunization skills, one can behold the splendor of wild elephants at a watering hole bathing themselves with their spraying trunks or even take up residence with a tribe such as the Masai, whose Kenyan culture is fascinating and whose welcoming attitude is famous worldwide.

One of the most dangerous diseases—and one for which an immunization is surely needed—is yellow fever. Yellow fever is a potentially deadly disease still a threat in many areas of the world, not just Africa. A yellow fever immunization is recommended if one is planning to travel to Africa, Central and South America, and/or parts of Asia. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, thus making it difficult to halt its devastating path.

Other travel related diseases that have an immunization available are malaria, typhoid and Japanese encephalitis. The process of immunization is commonly administered by a single injection. A rabies immunization, however, is up to five shots (though this is the exception rather than the rule). Receiving a travel immunization is very safe and affordable, and significantly lowers the risk of catching any disease while abroad.

If currently in the NYC area and in need of a certified travel clinic for an immunization or any other reason, please log onto TravelClinicNY.com for more information on one of the city’s most respected healthcare facilities of its type. Dial 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment at this conveniently located midtown clinic. While there you can expect discretion and affordability.

Concerned Parents of School-Aged Children: Be Aware of Meningitis, its Symptoms & vaccine

There are few things worse than hearing of a meningitis breakout at an elementary school—one of those things would be having a child attending the school in question. With all the things parents need to worry about, we’d like to think that a meningitis outbreak would not even be on the list. These days, however, the newspapers seem to be filled with new outbreaks in varying areas of the country that are not considered high-risk in other ways. Thankfully, a meningitis vaccination is easily available at any certified travel clinic in your area.

Meningitis—even the word is frightening. What exactly is meningitis, who tends to catch it, and what can be done for it? Well, meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord covering called the meninges. Infection can be either viral or bacterial. Basically, what we are talking about are your everyday run of the mill germs. Sometimes the same exact germs that cause ear infections—or an awful case of winter pneumonia—will somehow infect this very tender part of the brain. Doctors are still at a loss to explain exactly why. What they do know, among many other things, is that the viral variety of meningitis tends to be much more dangerous that the bacterial type of meningitis. But thankfully, a travel shot is available to anyone who is deemed to be in a high-risk group for meningitis.

In terms of infections, a large majority of meningitis is caused by some rather common stomach viruses. Sometimes the travel doctor will not even be able to diagnose which type of virus has caused the onset of meningitis in any particular patient. It is still a rather misunderstood disease in many respects. No one—doctors included—can say with any real authority who will come down with meningitis and who will not. Many of the details are still largely questioned by the professionals involved in combating this serious illness. However, all of their hard work has resulted in a vaccination, and for this we should be very thankful.

Who exactly is in the high-risk group of contracting meningitis? Although meningitis affects individuals of all ages, it is most commonly seen in children (and in older people, age sixty-five and higher). People who have weakened immune systems, perhaps due to certain types of cancers or auto immune diseases are also high risk, as are individuals who smoke and who are even victims of second-hand smoke in some cases. Thankfully, a vaccination does exist to help protect everyone in these high risk groups.

In recent years, meningitis has reared its ugly head at elementary schools, college campuses, and anywhere else young (or much older)people tend to be grouped together. Meningitis strikes between 1,500 to 3,000 Americans each and every year and causes an approximate 300 to 500 fatalities. Symptoms of this dread disease include fever, headache, body aches, tiredness, and nausea. In fact, many of these so-called symptoms seem like issues that arise due to many other medical problems—and they are. This is just another reason why it is so very important to visit a doctor and be aware of the meningitis vaccine if you are in a high-risk group.

If you live in the New York City area and are interested in learning more about meningitis or any other serious health issue, please log onto TravelClinicNY.com. This certified clinic is located just several blocks from Grand Central Station and is discreet and affordable. Simply dial 1-212-696-5900 to arrange a convenient appointment during the week, some weekday nights or even on the weekend. Stay vigilant and on top of your health for a long fulfilling lifetime of pleasure and adventure!

India—Home of the Ancient Aliens Safety With A Simple Inoculations

If you are a cable television viewer you’ve noticed how much air time there has been lately regarding ancient aliens, lost archeology and UFOs. One does not have to be a convert to be swept up in the wonder of it all. Many of the things discussed on these types of programs are quite interesting. Many of the places they visit—and the texts that they quote from—are from the humongous country of India. On this land mass lies thousands of years of crumbling civilizations, breathtaking stone monuments and unique philosophies. India is definitely a great country to travel to if you have any interest in the history of the world—whether you agree with the prevailing theories or not! Like any other far off country, we Americans would be best off if we visit a certified travel clinic before we begin our journey. These facilities can offer much in the way of common sense protection and even more importantly—protection through vaccination.

India is not the first place your average American will think of when planning a vacation. Many of us rather hit a closed beach, drink on-the-house cocktails and bath in the lap of luxury that a private resort can afford us. For others amongst us, that type of vacation is bland and neutral, boring and homogenized beyond the pale! It is for these individuals that the mysterious country of India beckons. Armed with a vaccination or two, traveling throughout India will create awesome memories that will never be forgotten.

Travel to India is quite simple. Most, if not all, American carriers offer direct flights to this dusky Xanadu. From white sands beaches to dimly lit temples erected to worship a seemingly endless array of gods and goddesses, this destination is truly unique. Located in South Asia, India is the seventh largest country by geographical area on the globe. India is also the most populated country behind China, as it is home to over 1.2 billion people of varying faiths, languages, beliefs, classes and dietary preferences. India is truly one of the most amazing places on Earth, steeped in a history as poignant and as rich as the richest in the world.To think that a land as wide and as interesting is so easily and safely accessible after a simple vaccination or two boggles the mind for those of us that can appreciate such things.

Instead of making this a history lesson, let’s take a look at some of the dangers that the average American may run into when traveling to India. As in many countries in Asia, a simple visit to a certified travel clinic before takeoff is recommended. India travel immunizations include: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, and Malaria.

It is important to note that most countries outside of the United Sates—and especially those in the East—require a vaccination or two to secure your safety while visiting. Travel to India is no different than that of any other foreign country—but the pay-off in terms of culture, sightseeing, and a delicious new menu to sample far outweigh other countries you may decide to visit.

If currently in the New York or New York City area and planning a trip to this amazing part of the world, please log onto TravelClinicNY.com for more information on the recommended vaccination or vaccinations you may need to remain safe while abroad. This certified travel clinic is run by a board-certified doctor who is friendly, knowledgeable and discreet. Located just several blocks from Grand Central Station, it is also conveniently located to all New Yorkers. Please dial 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment today. Travel Clinic of New York offers extended weekday and even weekend hours.