U.S international travelers are always at the risk of being infected and becoming ill. Most travelers don't see the need of getting vaccinated before traveling outside the United States. Those who intend to travel to other countries are advised to be vaccinated for yellow fever, measles, mumps and rubella. Most of these diseases are not present in the United States but are plentiful in tropical countries.
Diseases to be vaccinated against
Yellow fever
This virus is most common in subtropical areas in South America and Africa. The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, chills, nausea, muscle pains such as back pains, and headaches. Yellow fever has no cure. A single dose of this vaccine can provide life protection to most people. The vaccine can be given to anyone nine months or older. Vaccination for this disease is required when entering most countries.
Measles
Measles in caused by the measles virus. Its symptoms include fever, inflamed eyes, running nose, and cough. Red flat rashes also occur on patients within two weeks after infection. Measles is an airborne disease. It was eliminated in the United States in 2000. The disease is most common in Asia, Europe, the Pacific, and Africa. Measles cases in the United States are a result of international travel.
Mumps
The Mumps virus causes Mumps. Symptoms of the disease include headaches, exhaustion, muscle pains, and fever. These symptoms are often followed by the swelling of the salivary glands. It can be prevented by taking the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR). The vaccine also protects one from other diseases like rubella, measles, mumps and chickenpox.
The virus is mostly common in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.
Rubella
The Rubella virus causes Rubella. Its symptoms include rashes, swollen lymph nodes, fevers, sore throats, rashes that start in the face, and exhaustion. It is spread through a cough. It can cause congenital disabilities and miscarriage. Pregnant mothers can pass the virus to their unborn child.
It is spread through person-to-person contact. Protection from the virus can be done using the MMR vaccine. Infections from the virus mostly occur in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia. Those older than one year should be vaccinated.
US travel health advice
Travelers are advised to maintain a high level of sanitation and hygiene when traveling. Travelers should drink water and eat food from safe sources, as well as receive additional vaccinations. Most viruses that are at high risk of infecting travelers are Yellow Fever and Zika virus, which are most common in South America as well as Polio, which is most common in the Middle East and West Africa.
