One thing that shouldn't be overlooked is keeping up on your immunizations. The standard T-dap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) is a must. Hepatitis A and B is a good idea. Typhoid if you are going to an affected area. And flu shots every year; flu isn't a bad cold, influenza kills people every year. As someone who has actually suffered through flu while traveling, you will believe you are at death's door, even if you don not actually die.
I write the date and type of my immunization in the back of my passport. That way I know if I'm up to date with my shots.
Reply to this Agree with you re the standard jabs (tetanus etc). I have a booklet with all of my inoculations recorded so I know exactly when I've had them and when they are due again.
I try to get everything possible for inoculations. My current list of doses is:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping cough)
- Measles
- Polio
- Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Yellow Fever
When I head to West Africa, I'll definitely be getting my meningococcal meningitis shot.
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Depending on the country you are traveling to and your activities you may need to think about rabies.
Reply to this I've never been a fan of the rabies vaccine, so haven't taken it. The other to add is malaria medication in certain regions.
Reply to this Shane,
I can't disagree with your comment on the rabies. You have to weigh the risk reward. We always purchase the malaria medication and take it with us but once again we didn't take it.
So far so good. I guess if we ever get malaria we will regret having it with us and not taking it.
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