they make you sick?
if i'm going to be flying with him from time to time, should i get the exact same vaccines or which ones will be important for me? (btw, i'm not friends with the needle
)
Kristie-
If you're thinking of going with to any of the Africa destinations or Mumbai I highly recommend
all applicable vaccines. I hate needles too but ther's some nasty "stuff" out there! Check out this excerpt from a company memo:
Occupational Health/Air Crew & Passenger Health Services researched this crew travel advisory utilizing
CDC information and in consultation with Emory’s Division of Infectious Diseases and Delta’s physician
consultant on pilot health issues. Occupational Health continues to partner with internal and external
stakeholders on issues impacting the well-being of XXX crew and other XXX employee groups.
Required Vaccination for XXX’s African Destinations - Yellow Fever (YF). Failure to have proof of
vaccination can result in quarantine, denied entry, or being subject to vaccination. YF is transmitted by
mosquitoes and has a high fatality rate among non-immune adults. Vaccine must be received at least 10 days prior to entry into country. Contraindicated if pregnant, nursing, allergic to eggs, or compromised immune system. Crew with current YF vaccination status documented on a PHS 731 (yellow shot record) does not require vaccination. YF revaccination required every 10 years. You must carry documentation of vaccination with you.
Optional Preventive Vaccinations and Medication for Africa and India - All routine adult vaccinations
should be maintained regardless of travel plans. The hepatitis A vaccine series is especially recommended due to the prevalence of this illness in developing countries. Other vaccinations for consideration include hepatitis B, meningitis, typhoid, and one dose of polio vaccine. It is not recommended that you take malaria pills for your short stays. You and your personal physician should determine what optional preventive measures are best suited to your health needs. Specialized travel medicine services in the US are typically cash paid and submitted to insurance for reimbursement. See the International Society of Travel Medicine website (
www.istm.org) for travel medicine practitioners.
Diseases Found in Africa - Yellow fever (mosquito vector)
Diseases Found in Africa and India - Malaria (mosquito vector), other insect bite and fresh water parasite infections, polio, and infections that tend to occur more often in longer-term travelers (TB, HIV, hepatitis B).
See
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for additional travel health information.
Other Health Risks - You have 24/7 worldwide access to 4,000 providers in the International SOS network for illness or injury care while on international company business, or if you simply have a medical concern and need to speak with a physician. Call International SOS prior to initiating care, or as soon as possible afterward, at XXX to activate medical case management. Notify ESIS if you experience an OJI at XXX to maintain benefits.
What To Take with You - Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when outdoors between dusk and dawn,
and use an insect repellent containing < 50% DEET. Follow directions for application to prevent mosquito bites. Medications should always be in their original containers.
Staying Healthy During Your Trip - Wash your hands frequently for 15 seconds with soap and water to
help prevent disease transmission. Follow the fruit and vegetable rule of don’t eat it unless you boil or peel it. Don’t eat street vendor food especially if not steaming hot. Drink bottled water or canned carbonated beverages, and avoid ice cubes.
After You Return Home from Africa - If you become ill with fever and chills up to one year after your returnhome, seek medical attention immediately, and tell the physician your travel history to Africa and your concern about malaria.
Kevin
