[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/vaccinations-for-travel\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/vaccinations-for-travel\/","headline":"Just Booked a Trip? Here’s How to Stay Healthy Abroad","name":"Just Booked a Trip? Here’s How to Stay Healthy Abroad","description":"To minimize your risk of becoming seriously ill during international travel, it is important to find out which immunizations you need for your vacation. \r\n","datePublished":"2017-03-27","dateModified":"2022-04-08","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/infectious-diseases-regions","name":"Infectious Diseases","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/infectious-diseases-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/infectious-diseases\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/032017_BANDAIDSAFEFLIGHTS.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/032017_BANDAIDSAFEFLIGHTS.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/vaccinations-for-travel\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":388,"keywords":["immunization","infectious disease","Staying Healthy","travel","vaccinations"],"articleBody":"It can be overwhelming to navigate your to-dos before an international trip. Don\u2019t let health preparations fall off of your list.To minimize your risk of becoming seriously ill during international travel, it is important to find out which immunizations may be required or recommended for visiting different regions of the world.Peter Veldkamp, MD, director of Travel Health at the UPMC Center for Care of Infectious Diseases, recommends scheduling a medical consultation with your physician four to six weeks before an international trip. Your physician can help you determine which vaccines may be necessary based on your travel itinerary, including the need for malaria prophylaxis, and can provide guidance on food and water safety tips, including information on the best agents to manage and\/or treat traveler\u2019s diarrhea.RELATED:\u00a0How to Stop Mosquito Bites: Tips and TricksAccording to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines are divided into three categories: routine, recommended, and required. The yellow fever vaccination is the only vaccine required by International Health Regulations specifically for travel to certain parts of Africa and South America.Routine Vaccinations for TravelRoutine vaccinations may include:Hepatitis AHepatitis BInfluenzaMeningitis (Meningococcal)Tetanus BoosterRecommended Vaccinations for TravelRecommended vaccinations may include:RabiesWhile rabies is prevalent throughout many countries of the world, the vaccine often is recommended for travel to Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.Japanese EncephalitisThis vaccine is recommended for travel throughout most of Asia and the western Pacific regions, especially during high-risk times of the\u00a0year.TyphoidThe CDC recommends travelers headed to developing countries, where exposure to contaminated food or water is likely, consider receiving the typhoid vaccine. This includes travel to parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where travelers have been especially at risk. Travelers visiting friends and family in these regions are at a higher risk.PolioTravelers going to certain parts of Africa and Asia may be at risk for polio. Ask your physician if you are visiting countries including, but not limited to, Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Guinea, Laos, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Ukraine.Visit Travel Health at the UPMC Center for Care of Infectious Diseases for complete destination-specific recommendations.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 27, 2017, and was last reviewed on April 8, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Just Booked a Trip? Here’s How to Stay Healthy Abroad","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/vaccinations-for-travel\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]