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.

Terror In The Tropics! The Importance of the Hard-To-Pronounce Malaria Medication Prophylaxis

Although it may sound a like a rock record from the hippy days, a Malaria medication prophylaxis is the treatment one receives to keep themselves safe from becoming infected with the dreaded malaria bacterium. Sure, we can make a joke and say that such a difficult to pronounce word like prophylaxis harkens back to the flower child days (Jimmy Hendrix’s record (Prophyl) Axis: Bold As Love would be the first one that comes to mind), but the fact is that receiving one of these inoculations is no laughing matter if one is journeying overseas.

A Malaria medication prophylaxis is another way of saying a malaria vaccination or inoculation. Either way, if you plan on visiting any of the high-risk areas mentioned below, visiting a certified travel clinic to receive one of these shots should be on the top of your list of things-to-do-before-you-travel. Just to confuse you more, specific Malaria medication prophylaxis’ regimens recommended by the World Health Organization, and the Centers For Disease Control include Doxycyclone, Mefloquine, and/or Atovaquone/Progunil (or known by its commonly referred to name: Malrone).

Okay, enough confusing facts, figures, and chemical names. Malaria is a potentially deadly disease virtually wiped out in the Western world but still wreaking havoc in the developing world—or more specifically—the tropics. It is highly recommended that any Westerner planning on traveling to the tropics visit a certified travel clinic before their journey to receive a malaria medication prophylaxis (or a malaria vaccination.) Malaria is a sneaky disease, carried by a tiny mosquito that can cause terrible problems in an otherwise healthy individual.

Before we go any further on the health benefits of a malaria medication prophylaxis, let’s discuss the countries indicated when speaking of the tropics. These countries typically include parts of Mexico, all of Central America, all of the Caribbean, the top half of South America, Northern portions of Chile, and a large portion of the African continent.

Once infected with this awful disease, symptoms shall arise. These symptoms can include high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a pale or yellowish turn of the skin. These symptoms commonly occur approximately ten to fourteen days after the bite of the infected mosquito. Although these days there are medicines that can help the sick, the best way to treat malaria is through the malaria medication prophylaxis. If this vaccination is received prior to traveling the chances of contracting the disease in the first place is virtually nil.

There are behaviors that can be adopted beside a malaria medicine that can lower the chances of catching the disease. These include sleeping under mosquito nets, screening all windows and doors in the home you are living in, and applying copious amounts of mosquito repellant to your skin. These are secondary precautions. The malaria prophylactic is the primary source of protection when in a high risk area.

Visiting a certified travel clinic for a malaria medication prophylaxis is easier and more affordable than you may think. Take advantage of the medical expertise we have here in the United States before jetting off to anywhere that may put your good health in jeopardy.

If currently in the NYC area, please log onto malaria pills in NYC for more information on the hard-to-pronounce malaria medication prophylaxis. Get travel vaccinations in NYC is conveniently located just several blocks from Grand Central Station (making it easily available by bus and subway) and is discreet and affordable. Just call 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment today. Remember to visit a certified travel clinic before heading off into bacterially hostile territory!

Visit a Travel Clinic Before Leaving NYC for Warmer Climates

Summer has left us, New Yorkers. The days of lazily relaxing on one of Central Park’s well-manicured lawns to bathe in the Sun’s warm rays are pretty much gone. Feel that cold wind coming in? It’s like getting a postcard from a cold relative reminding us of her inevitable return. Fall is already here, and Winter is coming, whether you like or not.

But seasons don’t change everywhere. You can escape the cold by venturing to a country out of Winter’s icy reach, protected by the equator. There are plenty of vacation spots around the world that offer warm temperatures all year round. Be wary, though, that the more tropical the area the more susceptible travelers are to exotic diseases, so you should always stop by a travel clinic for up to date information on a country and what recommended travel vaccinations you’ll need before stepping on its soil. Afterwards, pack some sunblock and fly off to paradise.

Try visiting Brazil, for example! This country averages temperatures during the months of November and December that range from roughly 77 degrees to 90 degrees during the day. You can pull down your bathing suits, sundresses, and shorts from storage and forget about your scarfs, wool socks, sweaters and all other clothing we humans wrap ourselves in to survive the cold. Let your skin breath for a while by planning a trip to South America’s largest and arguably most fun country.

There are five sections to consider visiting in Brazil, but only two of them are close enough to the equator to be warm all year round:

*Northeast Brazil (Alagoas, Ceará,Piauí, Bahia, Sergipe, Rio Grande do Norte, Maranhão) – Lining the Atlantic Coast, this portion of Brazil holds the country’s most stunning beaches. If all you crave is sand and sunshine, book a resort anywhere in the state of Bahia, or in the city of Barra de Santo Antonio in the state of Alagoas. This part of Brazil will be hot and sunny for you, guaranteed. Sip a caipirinha and actually enjoy the ice melting in your mouth. 

*Northern Brazil (Tocantins, Pará, Amazonas, Acre, Rondônia, Roraima) – Home to a vast portion of the Amazon, the largest rainforest in the world. If you’re feeling adventurous and nostalgic for our world’s waning beauty, pack a pair of sturdy hiking boots and a high resolution camera for a filmic journey exploring the most biodiversity this planet has to offer.

Both regions of Brazil offer ample amounts of sunshine for those wishing to escape the cold months to come. However, Brazil also offers potential risks to travelers who did not anticipate their health needs before visiting travel clinic.

Parts of Brazil harbor Yellow Fever, a virus that is transmitted to humans via tropical mosquitos. But you can protect yourself. Along with taking steps to prevent mosquito bites while in Brazil, such as wearing loose, long pants and long sleeved shirts coupled with loads of bug spray, the Center for Disease Control strongly recommends getting a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days prior to leaving for Brazil. If you do not get a vaccination for this disease before entering the tropics you put yourself at risk of contracting a disease that in 2009 killed 11 out of the 28 people who reportedly contracted it in Brazil.

You cannot get the travel vaccinations at your usual doctor’s office. Only clinics that are certified by the State of New York are allowed to distribute this highly affective shot. If you live in or nearby New York, visit Brazil vaccination NYC, which is legally certified to assist you in getting the medications and vaccinations you need. It is also conveniently located just blocks from the Grand Central Terminal for in town and out of town commuters.  

Prevent ruining your vacation because you thought bug spray would be enough: log onto TravelClinicNY.com or call 1-212-696-5900 and get the vaccinations you need.

Do I need the Japanese encephalitis vaccination before traveling to India?

When traveling to any country for the first time you need to consider the health risks associated with area you are about to step foot in. Health concerns for travelers depend on multiple factors, including what time of year they go, what part of the country they are visiting and what type of vacation they plan on having. For example planning an excursion through one of Brazil’s rainforests during their rainy season requires different travel medicines than planning to just sunbathe in Rio de Janeiro during the month of April.

This is also true for anyone wondering what conditions require them to get the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination before visiting India. This depends heavily on two factors: what part of the country you intend on traveling to and what time of year you are going.

You should consider getting the JE vaccination if you are traveling to India during its monsoon season, which is anytime between May and October. The moisture gathered during the rainy season creates opportune environments for mosquito larvae. JE transmits through mosquito bites, meaning that the more of these insects around the higher the risk of contracting the disease. Take note that the rainy season may last longer in parts of southern India.

There are states that are at higher risk for JE than others. The states where the most cases of JE have been reported are Assam, Bihar, Goa, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra, Haryana, West Bengal, and Karnataka. If you are visiting any of these areas you should consider getting the vaccine. States that you do not have to worry about are Sikkim, Punjab, Nagar Haveli, Jammu, Daman, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Lakshadweep, Dadra, Diu, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Kashmir.  There have been no reported cases of JE from these regions and traveling to this part of the country puts you at little risk for the disease.

Before making any decisions about whether you need this vaccination or not, you need to visit a Travel clinic that specializes in travel medicine and vaccines at least four weeks before leaving the country. The Center for Disease Control strictly warns against waiting until you’re in your destination country to get any vaccinations, as many countries struggle to weed out counterfeit drugs before administering them to patients. Also, most vaccinations and medicines are taken in doses with days in between, and their effectiveness will not activate for weeks sometimes. Visit a travel doctor now if you plan on vacationing to India in the upcoming months.

If you’re looking for a great travel clinic visit the one located at 274 Madison Ave in New York City. Your physician will tell you everything you to know regarding Japanese encephalitis vaccination abroad and will make informed decisions about what vaccines you need. After a visit with the doctor at this location you will be completely prepared to stay healthy while enjoying your stay in India. To make an appointment you can call their office at 212-696-5900 or visit their website at India travel vaccination NYC

Don’t take any chances with your health while abroad; make an appointment with our travel doctor today.

When you lack the evolutionary advantage, get the malaria vaccination in NYC

According the Center for Disease Control, each year nearly 1,500 people are diagnosed with malaria in this country, mostly in travelers returning from high risk zones. Every year, millions of people from the United States travel to malaria endemic regions, especially sub-Saharan Africa, and put themselves at risk to the disease. Once infected, individuals can suffer from high fever, headache, anemia, and inflammation of the spleen. Those who develop cerebral malaria, when the disease attacks the brain, commonly suffer from insanity, unconsciousness and, often, death.

Yet people living within developed countries have the privilege of convenient access to anti-malaria drugs and vaccinations. A prospective traveler in the US can substantially lower his or her risk of contracting the disease by visiting a travel clinic and receiving a malaria vaccination that builds immunity against it. Not all countries benefit from these life-saving immunizations. 

It is likely that malaria has killed more people worldwide, especially children, than any other infectious disease. The World Health Organization reports that over 40% of the world’s population lives in malaria zones. Every year 300-500 million people are affected by it, including one million children under the age of 6 that die of it every year. The disease can have devastating effects on individuals and communities badly affected by it, with sometimes severe political and economic ramifications. But do local peoples, with little to no access to anti-malaria vaccinations or travel clinic, have defenses against malaria infection?

An interesting aspect of microevoultion theory is how it explains the existence of certain heritable yet terminal diseases that refuse to be naturally weeded out of human populations. Skeptics of Darwin ponder how evolutionary theory by means of natural selection supports itself in cases like sickle-cell anemia, which creates abnormal hemoglobin that in turn misshapens and injures red blood cells, preventing them from adequately carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Why hasn’t this unfavorable trait been naturally selected out of populations? And which population can benefit from malaria prevention NYC?

One important marvel is how people that are heterozygous for sick cell anemia, meaning they carry one allele of it by mean of their mother or father, actually have strong survival genes against malaria. The explanation is surprisingly simple: The malaria virus attacks the host by invading its red blood cells where it replicates and spreads by infecting other red blood cells. But individuals who are heterozygous for Sickle Cell Anemia do not have enough healthy red blood cells for the virus to infect and grow in, thus inhibiting malaria to grow strong and overtake host. Thus is it an advantage for people living in malaria endemic regions to be heterozygote for Sickle Cell Anemia, granting it as a favorable trait to be passed on to future generations.

And it has, with sickle cell carrier frequencies at almost 40% in some African populations, where malaria has thrived for thousands of years. You’ll see similar statistics in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Indian populations where malaria resides. Microevolution theory gives us a fascinating example of how individuals within these populations have survived malaria environments with the aid of a usually life-threatening disease.

Yet most Americans have not developed this advantage, and need to get a malaria vaccination before entering any of these countries. If you live in or nearby NYC, visit this travel doctor NYC located in Midtown. It sits in between 39^th and 40^th street, just two blocks from the Bryant Park and Grand Central transit locations. The staff will answer all your concerns and offer expertise advise about maintaining your health while your abroad. Call 212-696-5900 or visit Travel Clinic New York  to make an appointment.

When you lack the evolutionary advantages, let modern medicine pick up the slack. Take advantage of travel vaccinations.