In case you are planning a vacation in an exotic country, the first thing you should do is to consult your doctor. It isn’t only about your health issues; it is also about a vaccine that you should take before traveling into countries with potential risk of diseases.

The tropical countries are splendid spots for vacations, but they also hide within them a huge risk for your immune system. For instance, going to a Caribbean country can cause you yellow fever, hepatitis, typhoid fever, polio, diphtheria and many others.

These are diseases spread by mosquitoes and they can be prevented only with vaccination. The immunization against diseases like Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Polio is not critical for short stays, but you should be careful about what you are eating and drinking. Avoid some local foods without knowing their ingredients and don’t drink from the local water.

Often the local people have their own immunization, for they are grown in the area, but you may not have it; so drink only bottled water. Of course you can go for vaccination against these diseases, but you still have to be careful about the food.

The Diphtheria/Tetanus vaccine is recommended if you are going to travel in Northern and Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The Polio vaccine is specific, because it should be done only once for a lifetime.

Consult with your doctor and see what kind of vaccinations you already have had.  The so called live vaccines should be administrated at least three weeks apart. Only the oral typhoid can be combined with other vaccinations such as yellow fever one or the HNIG. The inactivated vaccines can be combined with any other vaccines.

Many travel companies don’t recommend vaccines, but you should research about the country you are going to. Always choose travel companies that are offering health insurances and consult the trip with your doctor in order to be vaccinated with the adequate vaccine for the region you are going to visit.

Yet, the most important thing you should remember is to keep food and water hygiene, because two of the most dangerous diseases – malaria and HIV aren’t vaccine preventable.

Try to choose well the hotel you are staying in, follow hygiene strictly and have only safe sex, even if you have had vaccination.

Recently the fear of new diseases has made the vaccines a must for long trips, but you shouldn’t be too obsessed with the so called modern diseases like swine flu.

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