Health and Immunization Information for Travelers to India

With a cultural history over 4,500 years old and the world’s second largest population, it’s no wonder that India has become an increasingly popular destination attracting travelers for both business and pleasure.  From the Taj Mahal to the Himalayas, there is much to see, do and learn.  But before you go, there are important health-protecting preparations to be made; travelers need travel immunization to India, procure prescriptions, and educate themselves about potential health risks.

With regard to vaccinations, the Center for Disease Control recommends that travelers to India receive the immunizations against hepatitis A and B and Typhoid.  Those travelers who expect to spend time in rural areas are also advised to get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis and rabies.  Most people in the United States receive a measles or MMR vaccination as children, and while measles is no longer an active disease in the States, it is still prevalent in India and many other countries, so talk to your doctor about whether you’re up to date on this and all other routine vaccines; some recent cases of polio have been reported in India as well.  It is recommended that travelers are immunized four to six weeks before they leave, so plan ahead!

But essential travel health information isn’t just limited to vaccinations.  Travelers visiting nearly all areas of India, including urban areas like Delhi and Bombay, could be exposed to malaria, and so are advised to undergo an antimalarial prescription drug regimen before and during their time in India; note that Chloroquine is not effective against the strains of malaria present in India and some other South Asian countries, and should therefore not be used as an antimalarial treatment.  Again, most antimalarial drugs need to travel through the bloodstream for several weeks before they take effect, so visit your travel health provider early.  Travelers should talk with their physicians about their specific travel itinerary.It is important for travelers to purchase the antimalarial drugs they will need for their time away while they are still in the United States, as some drugs produced outside the US do not meet FDA standards and have adverse side-effects, contain contaminants, or are altogether ineffective.  The Center for Disease Control advises travelers against using risky antimalarial drugs, particularly Halfan, unless they have already contracted malaria and has no other available options.

The same rules apply for any other prescription medicines you may take on a daily basis; plan to bring enough for your entire trip, as you may not be able to refill your medication abroad.  It is also a good idea to pack your preferred over-the-counter drugs, such as anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, allergy medication, sunscreen and insect repellent, since availability will vary, particularly in rural areas.

Other diseases widespread in India for which there are no vaccines available include dengue and avian flu.  The CDC recommends preventative measures (insect repellent and avoiding contact with local bird life, respectively) as the means of protecting oneself from these diseases.  The CDC also advises travelers to the South Asian region to be careful about their food and water intake to avoid food poisoning, and, if they do plan to visit those majestic Himalayas, to pay attention to signs of altitude sickness.  Symptoms include insomnia, nausea, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite and confusion, and should be taken seriously; untreated altitude illness can be fatal.

As you can see, there’s a lot to think about when planning a trip, so it’s important to visit a certified travel health provider for treatment and advice before you go. Whether you need travel immunization to India or any other far-off destination, if you’re New York based check out the Travel Clinic of New York. At the Travel clinic NYC doctors specialize in travel consultations, vaccinations and prescription medications for travel, and offer flexible hours and treatments tailored to fit your specific itinerary.

Five types of malaria prophylaxis vaccination drugs available for travel protection

Malaria has been extinct in the United States since the early 1950s. Thanks to intense government interventions in the early 20^th century, contracting malaria within the U.S. is now almost impossible.

What is not impossible, however, is catching the sickness in another country and carrying it back into the country. Every year, about 1,500 United States travelers bring malaria home with them.

If you know the country you are traveling experiences malaria outbreaks, you must seek the proper malaria prophylaxis, or, medicines that prevent malaria. Nobody living in the United States should visit unindustrialized nations or rural parts of the world without looking into getting a travel vaccination. Even if you’re originally from the country you plan on visiting, you are not immune to its local diseases. People who don’t take preventative measures to protect their health while abroad are putting their bodies at risk for infection.

For malaria, there are five types of malaria medicine available for travelers, each with different benefits and issues:

Doxycycline
This inexpensive medicine can be taken a day before taking off, which can be very convenient for travelers who do not visit a travel clinic at least two weeks before leaving. But this cheaper brand has common side effects such as stomach ache and skin sensitively. It may also trigger yeast infections in women who are prone to them.

Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone)
This drug can also be conveniently taken only one to two days before landing in your destination country, but it tends to be more expensive. However, unlike its cheaper counterpart, Doxycycline, Malarone affords little to no side effects.

Primaquine
This is the final daily medicine available that can also be taken one to days before leaving. It’s different in that it is specifically designed for the P. vivax species of malaria. If the area you plan on traveling to carries this species of malaria, then Primaquine is right for you.

Chloroquine
If you’re taking a long trip somewhere, this pill is convenient because it is only taken weekly. It is also safe for pregnant women.

Mefloquine (Lariam)
Just like Chloroquine, this drug is taken weekly and is safe for pregnant women. Also similar to Chloroquine, travelers need to start taking Lariam two weeks before leaving the country.

These drugs cannot be taken by everybody and are not efficient everywhere. People taking other medications or that have certain health problems need to speak with a physician about possible complications. There are also parts of the world resistant to certain types of malaria medication. For example, Chloroquine will not protect travelers going to Brazil, Afghanistan and many other countries.

Before you leave the country, meet with a travel physician that will help you decide which malaria prophylaxis is right for you. For medication that yields the fewest side effects, plan on starting the medicine two weeks before taking off. You may also need another type of travel vaccination for diseases such as typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, which are common in many parts of the world.

Meet with Dr. Slava Fuzayloff, a travel clinic NYC physician located at 274 Madison Avenue, for a complete evaluation. To learn more about him and his services, you can visit travel vaccination. Don’t let malaria end up as a bad souvenir you bring home with you; get the proper preventive medicine.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Plan Your Next Vacation at a Travel Clinic

Have you ever traveled flown? Sure enough, most of us know what it’s like to travel by car, train, or bus, but not everyone has used a plane.

Airplanes, for the most part, are preferred only for far travel, whether nationally orabroad. As we board, we’re hopeful for that vacation soon to come or the next adventure about to begin, but what we fail to realize oftentimes is that being on the plane is a break itself.

Buildings become toy blocks, parks look like small patches of farmland, and the people disappear from view in a few seconds. Aside from the initial air sickness, the rest of the flight is generally smooth, and all you mostly see are the cotton candy soft clouds and an endless baby blue hued sky.

            Too quiet for you? Whether fortunately or unfortunately, you can always run into some turbulence while in the air. With lights flashing seatbelts on, frightened crew gripping the railings, and a suspenseful heightened sense of fear, you’ll have that adrenaline pumping before you even land.

            That and along with the view, you get complimentary food and drink (doesn’t always happen in the hotel). Smiling stewards and stewardesses wish you well, all the while you can recline back in your seat, watch the movie playing, or listen to music. Nowadays, you can even bring the laptop with you for internet access, or then again, just sleep. And this is all before the actual vacation starts. (Gasp!)

            Before you book your next travel flight though, make sure that if you’re flying internationally, you get your travel vaccines early. Travel clinics will make sure you’re ready to enjoy the trip as well as the plane ride.

            Start today: our travel clinic is located at 274 Madison Ave, Suite 304, New York, NY.  For more information, check out travel clinic NYC.  Don’t worry, you’ll be on the flight before you know it.  

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!  

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. 

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.

The Hepatitis Shots—Better Safe Than Sorry

Hepatitis—a sexually transmitted disease once under control and pretty much conquered here in America—has made a bigger comeback than Tony Bennett. Just like the old-time crooner, most people wrote off this disease, figuring times have changes, but a new generation has latched onto this STD much like Tony Bennett after his first Duets record. As Mr. Bennett has proved there’s no stopping him, and like his great career comeback there’s no stopping the potentially deadly disease hepatitis. In fact, only a shots can afford some sort of protection against this old timer made good again.

When speaking of hepatitis it is important to be specific. There are many different types of hepatitis—with a shots available for protection against all of them. Commonly, when people refer to hepatitis they are referring to either Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B. Since there are important differences between the two strains it is important to be tested carefully by a professional certified doctor.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (or HAV). The virus is found in the stool of infected people and can be spread through the ingestion of contaminated food and/or water. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic illness. A hepatitis A shot is the best protection against it.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (or HBV). The virus is found in the stool, and other body secretions that can contain blood (such as urine, semen and the blood itself). A vaccination is the best protection against it. Chronic illness is common with this strain of the disease.

Like with other viruses, once infected always infected. It is only through a shots that one can stop the transmission and avoid a lifetime of care and—in some cases—very serious complications, including liver cancer, and other liver problems later in life. In fact, it is estimated that ten to thirty million people this year alone will become infected with just the hepatitis B virus. To add to this frightening statistic, the World Health Organization estimates that over four hundred million others are infected already with hepatitis B.

In the United States, the numbers are rising and are estimated to include over five thousand deaths out of one hundred thousand new cases a year! Again, receiving a hepatitis B shot is the only way to protect oneself from this virus.

Hepatitis is transmitted most commonly by blood and other infected bodily fluids. This includes through unprotected sex (not that again?! Geez, how many diseases can human beings avoid if only we took the time and effort to use condoms while engaging in sexual relations? The number is sky high!), intravenous drug use, and other even more disturbing blood-to-blood activities. There is a dark underbelly to society where these things take place and if you even skirt the edges of it a shots is urgently needed.

Receiving a shot for hepatitis is only possible through a certified doctor. Travel clinics frequently offer these shots to their patients. They are affordable, easy and relatively painless to administer. If you are in any of the high-risk groups mentioned above, please think carefully about the pros and cons of receiving a shot.

If you are in the NYC area and would like more information on receiving help from a primary care doctor, please log onto Travel Clinic NYC. This professional board-certified, doctor-run facility is located just blocks from Grand Central Station and is therefore easily accessible to most New Yorkers. Call 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment today. Don’t take chances if you don’t have to. They accept most insurance and have affordable rates for those not covered.

Travel Immunization: Is it Safe?

Anyone who travels has a nightmare story of a great trip going horribly awry by catching a bug of some sort. This author can recall the all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to cover the Adult Video News awards when food poisoning attacked, rendering me only capable of shivering into my gratis cocktails, which soon morphed into tea with honey and lemon. The after parties were out of the question.

With nightmares like these, one may ask why one wouldn’t actively seek out travel immunization. When one begins to read about them and sees the term “live virus vaccine” a clearer picture may emerge. The fact is that live virus immunizations have been par-for-the course for as long as vaccines have existed. Over all they have been safe and effective.

One of the most popular and currently requested vaccines is the yellow fever vaccine. This vaccine is a live virus vaccine but the virus has been genetically altered so that it cannot infect the recipient of the vaccine with the disease. With these facts stated live yellow fever vaccine still will not be administered to pregnant women and patients with compromised immune systems as a potential side effect-free vaccination does not exist. A non-live virus immunization for yellow fever is currently going through trials in order to be FDA approved.

Live virus vaccines exist in large numbers and are not to be feared as they are being administered every day. Examples include vaccines for—

·       Measles

·       Mumps

·       Rubella

·       Oral polio vaccine

·       Chicken pox

As stated previously, although advances are being made in immunization science, live virus vaccines are not to be avoided. They are crucial to healthy journeys and in the case of the yellow fever vaccine just may be the law-of-the-land depending on where your trip takes you.

To arrange further discussion on the matter of travel immunization NYC or to begin receiving the important shots necessary for safe world-travel, log onto Travel Clinic NYC or dial 1.212.696-5900 to arrange an appointment with a competent and world-wise professional. 

Adventure Time? Get Your Yellow Fever Vaccination at the Travel Clinic

Getting ready for your next adventure? Traveling through the wild plains of Africa, cutting through those thick jungles, rowing through the vast extremes of the Amazon River, and trying out the unique insect cuisine. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?

Before you take a step on to the continent however, you’ll need to make sure you’re protected against the one of the world’s most dangerous predators. No, not the hippopotamus, nor the rhinoceros, not even the king of beasts, the lion. It’s the small, inconspicuous, irritating mosquito. Why? It can transmit one of the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases: yellow fever.

Though not as widespread as it used to be, 90% of the infections today are found in Africa. That and since the ’80s, yellow fever has been deemed a reemerging disease, as the number of cases has steadily increased again. And if you end up getting it, be prepared for the painful consequences.  

Generally, it’ll start mildly with a fever, headache, back pain, appetite loss, nausea, chills, and vomiting, lasting for 3-4 days. For some though, there is a second phase with a recurring fever, jaundice (from liver damage), abdominal pain, and bleeding in your mouth, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract (which leads to blood vomiting). Does not sound appealing at all.

So if you’d life to avoid these symptoms, you’ll need to get a vaccination. And what better place to get it than a travel clinic? Friendly, fast, and easy these medical centers will have you ready fast for that next trip into the wilderness. 

If you’re getting ready for vacation and need a yellow fever vaccination NYC, stop by our travel clinic office at 274 Madison Ave. Suite 304, New York, NY. Or if you like, register for an appointment on our website Travel Clinic NYC.

Forget the zoo: get your Tanzania immunization at a travel clinic and then take a safari!

In New York City you will see exotic animals in the most unusual contexts. Minutes after leaving concrete sidewalks and crowded streets your feet hit the well manicured lawns of Central Park that surround the familiar park staple: the zoo. Never completely losing sight of the city skyscrapers, you pay to see a polar bear, some macaque monkeys, and sometimes a few zebras. In one sitting in the middle of a giant, concrete city you experience three species of animals that come from three different parts of the world.

How different would it feel if you were to see a polar bear not in a cage, but in the Artic? Or what if while hiking through a tropical jungle in South Asia you came across a macaque monkey hunting insects? Or, how different would a couple zebras look if blended in with a great herd migrating through an African prairie?

The later experience dwarfs the former, and by far the safest excursions occur during African safaris. How about planning a safari in Tanzania, Africa? There are websites online where you can plan every part of your trip and learn more about what excursions are available. After visiting a travel vaccination clinic to get the necessary Tanzania travel vaccination you’re set to go!

There’s really nothing quite like an African safari, and very few people take advantage of them in their lifetime. People who have done them try to relay their experience with the photos, videos and stories they bring back with them, but ultimately fail to convey the majesty of African wildlife in their natural environment. The lion is no longer a zoo pet lazily waiting for its dead food to appear and you are no longer a well protected tourist approaching the lion as you would a store window. During a safari, you become the oddity; you become the animal that is clearly out of context. Excitement aside, the experience is humbling.

It’s also a lot of fun and is great for all types of travelers, whether they be families, couples or those going solo. The tour guides not only keep passengers safe but are usually as excited as they are to see wildlife. Herds migrate and new families emerge every season, so there is always something new to see. If you visit Tanzania you can also check out local communities of tribes that still maintain a way of life dating back hundreds of years. Traveler testimonials attest that local people are surprisingly friendly to tourists (don’t look for that in Paris), and welcome outsiders who want to learn about their traditions and culture.

However, anyone planning a safari needs to get a Tanzania travel vaccination at least one month before taking off. This involves immunization shots and anti-malaria medication that will protect your health while enjoying your adventure.

If you live in or nearby NYC, visit this travel clinic NYC located at 274 Madison Ave to meet with their board certified travel doctor. You’ll get everything you need in one place, plus great travel advice. Log onto to their website at Tanzania travel immunizationin NYC to make an appointment or to learn more about their doctor and their services.

Don’t just go to the zoo, go to the source. It’s a lot more authentic.  

Travel Beyond The Obvious In Thailand Vigor, Veneration…and a Vaccination!

Mention traveling to Thailand and it’s not long before you begin to hear the jokes. Do they offer a head-to-toe vaccination? Are you going there for the articles? Yes, Thailand is infamous for its sex trade, there’s no way around this fact. But there is so much more to Thailand travel than sad girls with doe eyes trying desperately to feed their families. Thailand is brimming with a spectacular culture, dynamite food, Buddhist temples and Thai boxing. There’s so much more to this great land than what your friends tend to snicker at.

Questioning whether a vaccination is available makes sense no matter where in Asia you plan to travel. Unfortunately, this area of the world is still rife with diseases that we have conquered here in the West—or that have never been an issue in the first place. When traveling to Thailand, remember to visit a certified travel clinic four to six weeks before you depart. There you will receive all the information available regarding what vaccination is recommended for the area you plan to visit or the time of year you plan on being there.

What exactly are we talking about when we speak of infectious diseases in and around Thailand? (While the list may shock you at first, but remember that with the proper vaccination—or vaccinations—this country is as safe as any other to travel to!) According to every well-known medical authority in the United States the following five infectious diseases are present in Thailand—and proper precautions, such as a vaccination, should be taken to prevent possible infection.

These diseases are as follows:

Hepatitis—A vaccination is available for all strains of this highly infectious disease. Because many types of hepatitis come from fecal matter and infected water supplies, be wary of this disease more so when you travel outside of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. In other words, the more rural the area the bigger the threat.

Typhoid Fever—A typhoid vaccination is available for this bacterial disease. It is spread through contact with food and water contaminated with fecal matter or sewage. Travel outside of cities is where the largest risks are. Death rates are high without medical care.

Malaria—One of the most devastating diseases still rampant throughout the world, a vaccination is readily available in the west at a certified travel clinic. Spread through the simple bite of a mosquito, this disease has been the cause of millions of deaths a year for as long as history records. Thailand falls in a high-risk geographical zone.

Yellow Fever—Thankfully, a yellow fever vaccination is available as well as the others. Another mosquito-borne illness, the yellow in its name refers to the jaundice its victims undergo as the liver becomes infected. Any travel clinic in the United States can offer the protection necessary.

Rabies—This viral disease, contracted from locally infected animals, affects the central nervous system. Potentially deadly without medical care, this disease is most commonly spread by the bite of an infected dog although any mammal at all can spread this disease. A vaccination is available at any certified travel clinic.

Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok is a wondrous place where the old world astonishingly mixes with high tech everywhere your eyes fall. Be sure to visit the Temple Of Dawn on the Western bank of the Chao Phraya River. Without a doubt, the temple’s beautiful spiraling towers will take your breath away. While there, don’t forget to ask a local if there are any Thai boxing matches planned for that evening. They will happily direct you to the best seats in the house. Be prepared for a very physical boxing match that prides itself on carnage—in the best way possible!

If you happen to be in the NYC area and would like to visit a certified travel clinic for a thailand travel vaccination before your eagerly awaited trip Thailand, why not log onto TravelClinicNY.com? This highly respected Travel clinic nyc is conveniently located just blocks from Grand Central Station in spotless, professional and discreet offices. Simply dial 1-212-696-5900 to make an appointment today.