Vacation Vaccination NYC, Yellow Fever and the Need for Protection

NYC is a cement jungle, towering skyscrapers and granite gardens. NYC is also dangerous; there are pickpockets, burglars and bank robbers all lying in wait for the next big score. Yes, danger abounds in this modern metropolis. Yet when one leaves the comfortable concrete arms of Mother Manhattan other dangers lurk. Yellow fever still haunts this globe like a bacteria boogie man—and it is only from a certified travel clinic NYC that one can receive the proper vaccination to protect you from this age-old disease.

A yellow fever vaccination will come in handy if you or any of your loved ones decide to travel abroad to any of the following areas: Asia, Central and South America or Africa. To this day, yellow fever still plagues the indigenous inhabitants of these areas and also the travelers attempting to enjoy the natural wonders of these regions. When one thinks of vacation they hardly think of danger, but facts are facts. Let us take a look at the origins of yellow fever, its diagnosis and treatment.

As inhabitants of NYC, it is sometimes hard to understand the natural threat that exists elsewhere. Yellow fever is a very serious disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. This deadly disease is also spread by a gnarly chomp from an infected monkey. This mode of transmission will be left to the circus owners, as very few Americans find themselves gnawed by primates while on vacation (and you thought the signs: “Don’t Feed The Pigeons” were constraining!).

Thankfully there is a vaccination that can protect you from the ravages of this awful illness. Remember, that yellow fever cannot be spread from person-to-person, but only from the bite of an already infected mosquito (or monkey…). If infected, the symptoms of yellow fever will include chills, high fever, coughing and vomiting. After this initial burst of suffering, the symptoms may fade away. This is the tricky part. Once the symptoms disappear, many people assume the worst is over. This is not true at all.

Next up is the worst part of the yellow fever infection. Severe kidney and liver damage can occur causing a yellowing of the skin known as jaundice. This is where yellow fever gets its name and why a vaccination is so very important for those traveling overseas. It is the same yellowing of the skin that occurs with other liver diseases such as hepatitis. Whenever one notices their skin turning yellowish—or their eyes turning yellowish—it is time to get medical help and further testing.

In many countries, the authorities will not allow you to enter without a certificate proving to them that you have received a yellow fever vaccination in NYC before you set out on your trip. The information regarding which countries abide by these laws is readily available at the travel clinic of your choice.

Everyone who does not fall into the below-mentioned categories must receive a yellow fever shot.

·       Children under nine months

·       Pregnant women

·       People who are allergic to eggs

·       People with already weakened immune systems due to other medical issues such as leukemia or HIV infection

For those of us in the NYC area planning on traveling overseas to anywhere in Asia, Central and South America or Africa, a visit to Travel Clinic of NYC is highly recommended. Log onto TravelClinicNY.com for more info, or simply call 1-212-696-5900 to learn more. This certified travel clinic is located just blocks from Grand Central Station and is highly respected in their community. Do not allow an age-old disease to infect you or your loved ones.

In NYC a Good Shot is a Dime a Dozen But a Yellow Fever Shot Tops ‘em All!

NYC, the year 1951. The New York Giants are up against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Bobby Thomson steps to the plate and lets one RRR---iii---ppp!!! This game-ending homerun hit by Thomson has become known through the long dark annals of Baseball history as the “Shot Heard ‘round The World!” Brooklyn’s soon to be demolished Polo Grounds is where these two tenacious teams tantalized a town—and where the Giants proudly seized the National League Pennant! As the sweat-soaked yellow sun began to diminish from view, there was a new fever in town—Giants Fever.

Over the ages there have been other “famous” shots in NYC. Did or did not John Gotti and his henchmen successfully assassinate Big Paulie Castellano as he and his bodyguard Tommy Bilotti pulled up at Sparks Steakhouse for a fine meal? Si! Those pain-in-the-neck innocent bystanders (and by the way, there were many) walked quickly, ran, crawled or stood stone-like and suffering from fever-like chills. No one wanted to be the next one shot.

However, in this article we are not speaking of these rather unseemly shots. What we would like to share with you is another kind of shot. In fact, a yellow fever vaccination shot. So put down the Cracker Jacks and twenty dollar beers, and lay low with the pot of sweet and peppered sausages slowly cooking to perfection unless you want to start a war, and do you even have the mattresses to go through with it? (We doubted it.)

Anyway yellow fever is a potentially deadly disease caused by a small virus that it spread from shortstop to made-man by the simple bite of a little mosquito. These infected little buggers do not see culture, nor do they not see the clothes that make the man. No, they only see fresh flesh—and you can bet big that someone will get a big bite.

It is approximated that in areas of the world that have no access to the yellow fever immunization—the disease causes over two hundred thousand illnesses a year, and thirty thousand deaths. It is a yellow fever vaccination shot that can bring down this atrocious number of deaths. In NYC, there are numerous places to receive a yellow fever shot, giving you your first step in protection from this viral vermin.

Whether a ball player from a farm team or a wiseguy from NYC once infected with yellow fever you will begin to see several different stages of symptoms. As the symptoms progress so does the severity of the disease inside your body. Let’s take a look at the yellow fever progressive stages:

Early Stage

Occurring directly after being infected by the yellow fever-carrying mosquito, symptoms at this stage are headache, muscle and joint ache, fever, flushing and loss of appetite. Vomiting is often present, as is jaundice, a “yellowing” of the skin.

Period of Remission

During this stage the symptoms seem to vanish and you seem to be getting better on your own. You are not. Don’t be fooled. Symptoms of many diseases seem to vanish but all the while the disease is doing a number on your vital organs under the cover of silence. 

Period of Intoxication

This is the stage of yellow fever where things get their worst. At this point you are cursing yourself for not receiving that simple shot. This is the stage when slipping away into a coma and then death is most commonly reported. At this stage of the disease is also when multi-organ failure will begin. This includes liver failure, kidney failure and the heart failure. Symptoms at this stage include delirium, seizures and coma. Anyone at all, whether from NYC or not, needs hospitalization immediately for thorough, round-the-clock treatment.

Anyone in NYC in need of a yellow fever shot, Travel Clinic New York is probably the place for you! Located just several blocks from Grand Central Station, Yellow fever vaccinations NYC is easily accessible by many subway lines and a ton of buses. Whether right next door in Manhattan or a quick B train ride from the Bronx you will receive the best, most professional and discreet care possible. Call 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment. Some time ago a wise man was quoted as saying, “It’s only business.” The staff at Travel Vaccination Clinic feel the opposite way. Our patients are treated like family and nothing can break those bonds. Not even business!