Have you thought about becoming infected with an illness that you were vaccinated against? Few people do. Many vaccines only need a single shot, but not all of them. Booster shots are key in preventing the return or contraction of certain diseases. But, some individuals overlook their importance in sustaining disease immunity.

Why Do I Need A Booster Vaccine?

In the 1950’s, a diphtheria epidemic in Russia caused more than 750,000 cases. The majority of cases were in children. But, it wasn’t until 1958 that universal childhood immunization began. As a result, diphtheria cases decreased dramatically by 1963.

In the later years, a childhood vaccination schedule had to be completed for school entry. Case reports fell, and there was hope for elimination. But, diphtheria made an explosive comeback in Russia thirty years later.

In 1993, a major outbreak occurred. Except this time, the majority of cases were in adults.

“Most experts attribute the increase in diphtheria to failings in the Russian immunization program,” said Celestine Bohlen, in a New York Times article published during this second epidemic outbreak. “[This] allow[ed] a high number of infants to be turned down for the normal schedule of inoculations for medical reasons, while not keeping many adults, particularly those from age 20 to 50, up to date on their immunizations.”

This second diphtheria outbreak was different. Most cases were in adults. Thirty years earlier, the majority of cases were pediatric. A connection between the lack of booster vaccines and this outbreak was clear.

A booster vaccine could have prevented the second diphtheria outbreak. It is important to stay up to date on booster vaccines to avoid incidences such as this.

Why Do Some Infections Require Booster Vaccines?

One can never be sure that a sickness won’t re-emerge and put them at risk. It is necessary to know whether a vaccine from a certain disease requires a booster later on.

Booster need depends on a variety of factors including disease progression and immunological memory.

Immunological memory refers to the ability of the immune system to respond to a detected pathogen. The faster the immune system can recognize a pathogen and prevent a sickness, the better. Whether it is necessary to boost immune memory with a follow-up shot depends on the disease’s speed of progression.

If enough time has passed since the vaccination, and the disease can progress rapidly. It may even spread faster than the body can respond. In cases involving slow-moving infections, the immune memory is activated with plenty of time to respond. In these instances, a booster vaccine is not necessary to maintain immunity.

“Pediatricians and family doctors must begin to anticipate the need to provide booster vaccinations for several of the newer vaccines introduced in the recent years,” said Michael Pichichero, with the Rochester General Research Institute, who has studied booster vaccines in various states.

No one wants to get infected with an illness they thought they were immune to. Sometimes, it can be hard to remember. Long period of time can pass without needing a booster – the tetanus booster is only needed every ten years.

What Vaccines Require Boosters?

Other vaccines may need a booster more often, such as the annual dose for the flu.

Travel Vaccinations that Require Boosters:

• Anthrax
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis A & B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Polio (for some individuals)
• Rabies (pre- and post-exposure)
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever

Routine Vaccinations that Require Boosters:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Chickenpox
• HPV
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
• Influenza

It is not only important to check if you will need a booster vaccine, but also to remember when it will be needed. You can check the adult vaccination schedule recommended by the CDC.

To learn more about these immunization or titer testing, see our vaccinations and titer testing portals.

If you are unsure of your vaccination history, consider titer testing to learn if you are immune. Your local Passport Health clinic can help, book your appointment today by calling or schedule online now.

Have you ever been infected with an illness you thought you were immune to? Share your thoughts on booster vaccines and their importance to your health in our comments section below, on Twitter or via Facebook.

Namibia is a popular safari destination on the southwest coast of Africa. Not only is it a great place for a safari, but also the country also offers countless other adventures. If you are planning an outdoor adventure to Namibia, don’t forget to plan ahead. Check out our health tips for travel to Namibia and a brief guide of what you can do.

Which Vaccines Do I Need For Namibia?

Before heading out for a Namibia, it’s important to receive a few key vaccinations. The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control recommend the following vaccines:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Yellow Fever
• Routine Vaccinations

To learn more about these infections and their vaccines, see their individual pages. Prepare before you go by visiting your local Passport Health clinic. Schedule today by calling or booking online now.

Mosquito-borne Diseases In Namibia

Mosquito bites can lead to malaria, a deadly disease. There is no vaccination against malaria. But, there are antimalarial medications that will protect you from infection. The CDC recommends mosquito nets, insect repellent and other related products.

Dengue is another mosquito-borne disease common in Namibia. Be sure to take proper precautions against mosquitoes.

Where Should I Visit In Namibia?

The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, and a popular destination. The 85 kilometer trail through the canyon is perfect for those up for a challenge. But, the trail is only open from May to the mid-September due to extreme temperatures the rest of the year. Travel plans to the canyon should be evaluated by a travel health professional. Schedule a travel health consultation with Passport Health four to six weeks before leaving.

If you prefer a less intense adventure, the Waterberg Plateau may be for you. The plateau is a pristine viewpoint to scope out many of the rare and endangered species in Africa. The park contains many self- and professionally- guided trails hikes are available.

The largest population of black rhinos in the world lives in Namibia’s Etosha National Park. It also has many waterholes that attract all types of African wildlife. This destination should be a part of any nature afficionado’s itinerary.

Namibia also has other great spots to stop at such as Swakopmund. It’s a great location for skydiving, kitesurfing and incredible views of sand dunes. No matter the type of person, Namibia has something to offer for everyone.

What are some Namibian travel destinations that you would add to your safari roadmap? Leave an answer in the comments below or on Passport Health’s Facebook and Twitter pages!

China has a tuberculosis (TB) problem, one that generates a million new cases each year. Despite fewer cases, the disease remains a significant problem for much of the country.

Tuberculosis infections have declined each year since the 1990s. The prevalence per 100,000 population decreased from 215 in 1990 to 68 in 2014. This is due to government outreach and the help of global health organizations. But, many suffer from TB and an alarming number of these cases are drug-resistant.

China has the most cases of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in the world. Many of these patients go undiagnosed. This creates an increased risk of infection to others living in or traveling to the country.

Many people in China infected by TB come from poor socioeconomic groups in rural areas. Public healthcare is less than ideal in these regions. Often patients do not know they are carriers or cannot afford the treatments they need.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that attacks the lungs. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most common symptoms are:

• A bad cough lasting three weeks or longer
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or sputum (mucus from deep in the lungs)
• Weakness or fatigue
• Other symptoms include weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, fever and night sweats

TB only spreads through the air, via infected air droplets, and not by shaking hands or sharing food. Whenever an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, anyone standing nearby may become infected.

Not everyone infected by tuberculosis becomes sick right away. There are two forms of the disease: latent TB disease and TB disease. Those with latent TB are not infectious and may have no symptoms. Their body was able to isolate the bacteria and prevent it from growing. But, the bacteria lies dormant in the body and can become active at any time.

Latent tuberculosis infection is a problem in China and many other countries. Travelers are at increased risk of coming in contact with infected persons than they are at home.

This is why testing for TB is so crucial. You may have latent TB and not know it, especially if you have traveled to areas where the disease is endemic.

There are two diagnostic tests used to identify TB bacteria:

• Skin test (also known as the PPD test)
• Blood test

TB testing will not identify the type of infection, only whether you are infected. X-rays or other testing may be necessary if tests come back positive. Treatment usually starts immediately with oral medications. It can take up to a year to overcome TB.

Tuberculosis vaccination is common in some countries but is not available in the U.S.. The vaccine is not always effective in adults and can interfere TB testing. The CDC does not recommend its use.

There are ways you can protect yourself from this disease. Prevention is key to minimizing the risks of contracting TB. The CDC recommends travelers do the following to avoid TB:

• Avoid exposing yourself to people with active TB, especially in warm, small rooms.
• If you work in healthcare settings, wear a face mask to avoid breathing in the bacteria.
• If you expect long-term exposure to victims of TB, receive a TB test upon your return.

To learn more about TB, see our tuberculosis testing page.

Are you planning on traveling to China or another country with endemic tuberculosis? Or, have you recently returned a from a TB-endemic area?

Protect your health by making an appointment with a travel health specialist today. Visit a Passport Health clinic to receive more information about TB or for testing. Book your appointment today by calling or schedule online now.

Let us know what you think about the continuing problem of TB disease in China. Comment below, on Facebook or via Twitter.

Seeing the world is one of the most amazing experiences a person can have. From Europe to Australia, the globe is full of absolute must see destinations that people will plan for years to visit. But, one simple thing can ruin a trip before it even starts: losing your passport.

While losing a passport at home can make travel planning difficult, there are ways to easily overcome this issue. Passport expediting services like those that Passport Health offers, can help you get a passport in 24-hours if needed – much faster than the 3-8 weeks the government normally takes to issue a new passport. But, what do you do if you lose your passport while abroad?

A lost passport will often mean the end of a trip. While the temporary passport an embassy or consulate give you will help you get home, it won’t let you into other countries. That’s where a secondary passport can come in handy.

[Read more…]

A vacation in Thailand, hiking the Inca trail or a business trip to Rio: every trip has a different level of risk. Unfortunately, no trip is without risk. Even a short excursion to your local grocery store could end poorly. But, there are ways to manage the risks.

Understanding the Risks of Travel

The first step to planning any trip, whether we are doing it consciously or not, is assessing the risks. Would you think of booking a flight to Damascus for vacation in 2016? Probably not, due to the current risks associated with traveling to Syria.

A recent article in Stratfor looked at the myth of ‘total security,’ or the idea that a location can be totally secure. The author pointed out a key, very interesting fact about travel. People tend to fixate on highly publicized events.

The 2015 and 2016 terrorist attacks in Europe show this to be accurate. Tourism to Europe fell, and many questioned whether it was safe to travel to the continent at all. But, understanding the risk can give us a better idea of the true situation.

Fires, natural disasters, accidents and disease kill far more people each year than terrorist attacks and homicides. One quote from the article sums this up nicely:

The bottom line is that there is no such thing as absolute safety and security. And since more people die from household accidents every year than from terrorism or criminal homicide, holing up inside your home is no guarantee of safety.

Mitigating Travel Risks

Once we understand that there are risks to traveling, we need to find ways to mitigate them. Let’s use Brazil as an example. The primary risks associated with travel to Brazil are:

• Crime– Petty theft is fairly common in tourist areas, but ‘hard’ crime occurs in many outlying regions.
  

• Disease– Zika may have made headlines, but a variety of other infections are present including yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, typhoid and hepatitis.
  

• Political unrest– Protests have become more common in Brazil, especially during important events.

Now that we ‘know’ the risks, how can we mitigate them? The first step would be to learn more. In the case of crime, the U.S. State Department is a good resource as it offers country-specific web pages that discuss what to do in case something happens. It also discusses what to do in case of political unrest.

For disease, Passport Health has a wide range of resources to help educate about the potential risks in Brazil (and other countries) including vaccination pages, Brazil-specific pages and even information on how to get your visa for Brazil. By using these resources, you can learn more about the risks, and then start taking steps to mitigate them.

In the case of crime and political unrest, the key is to avoid potential trouble spots and then take certain precautions, like not wearing flashy clothing. But, you can’t always avoid infection.

This is what vaccinations and other preventative measures are for. Through vaccination and items like antimalarials or mosquito nets, diseases can be often be prevented and trips can become even more enjoyable.

Change Your Mindset

Education and vaccination can only go so far in protecting you from risks. A change of mind needs to happen as well.

You may not be used to putting on mosquito repellent every time you go out, or looking in the opposite direction for a car in England. But, such behavioral changes could save your life.

The Stratfor article told the story of an American teacher in Libya who decided to go running every morning and was killed. While running isn’t usually a risky activity, it can be if you are in an unsafe area. Remember this when you travel.

If you are worried about risks during your trip, do what you can to avoid them. Learn about which risks may be present, take steps to mitigate them, and be sure to keep them in mind as you go. No place is 100 percent safe, not even your home. Do what you can to make your journey as safe as possible.

To learn more about travel medicine and how it can reduce risks and protect you as you travel, see our travel medicine portal.

No matter what stage you are at in your trip planning process, be sure to contact Passport Health about what you need to stay safe. Our travel medicine specialists will make sure you have everything you need to stay safe as you travel. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

What do you do to prevent travel risks? Post your answer in the comments below or Facebook or Twitter.