Planning an Exotic Trip? Take Care of Your Health!

Exotic vacations are a wonderful adventure, but also a challenge for your health. Many countries have infectious diseases that we don't encounter on a daily basis. A key element of preparing for a trip should be considering protective vaccinations.

Why are Vaccinations Important?

Vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases during travel. Increased tourism promotes the spread of pathogens. Tourists in exotic regions are exposed to tropical diseases and microorganisms associated with poor sanitation.

How to Prepare?

6-8 weeks before departure, contact a travel medicine clinic. The specialist will:

• Recommend mandatory and recommended vaccinations tailored to the purpose of the trip, age and health.
• Determine indications for malaria chemoprophylaxis.
• Issue an international vaccination certificate (yellow booklet).
• Provide guidelines on safe behavior and prevention of tropical diseases.
• Recommend appropriate equipment for the travel first-aid kit.
• Inform about the health situation in the trip region and the principles of prevention of "dirty hands diseases."

When to Get Vaccinated?

Immunization is best started 6-8 weeks before departure. Some vaccinations require several doses. The yellow fever vaccine should be given no later than 10 days before departure.

Mandatory Vaccinations:

• Yellow Fever (Africa and South America).
• Meningococcal Disease (Saudi Arabia).

Recommended Vaccinations (high-risk areas):

• Viral Hepatitis A.
• Diphtheria and Tetanus.
• Poliomyelitis.
• Typhoid Fever.
• Rabies (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
• Cholera.
• Japanese Encephalitis.
• Tick-borne Encephalitis.

Where to Get Vaccinated?

Detailed information can be found on the WHO, CDC websites and on the hazard map https://zagrozeniazdrowotne.gssewarszawa.pl/.

List of Facilities in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province:

• NZOZ CENTRUM MEDYCZNE IKAR, ul. Szubińska 32, Bydgoszcz
• Centrum Medyczne Lux Med. Sp. z o.o., ul. Chłoniewskiego 46, Bydgoszcz
• NZOZ „NAD WISŁĄ”, ul. Pielęgniarska 13, Bydgoszcz
• Spółka Lekarzy Intercor, ul. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 33, Bydgoszcz
• Poradnia Medycyny Tropikalnej Lecznice Citomed, ul. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 73, Toruń
• Centrum Medyczne Lux Med Sp. z o.o., ul. Kościuszki 71, Toruń
• CM Centrum Medica, Oddział Prof-Med, ul. Toruńska 222, Włocławek
• Indywidualna Specjalistyczna Praktyka Lekarska Dr n. med. Katarzyna Kuczma-Urbanek, ul. Mickiewicza 44, Inowrocław
• Przychodnia Kopernika, ul. Chełmińska 74, Grudziądz

How to Protect Yourself Against Diseases for Which There Are No Vaccines?

In the case of malaria, use pharmacological (antimalarial drugs) and non-pharmacological prophylaxis (appropriate clothing, repellents, mosquito nets, avoiding mosquitoes).

What to Do in Case of Symptoms?

In case of fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or rash after returning from the tropics, see a doctor immediately, informing them of your stay.

Traveler's Diarrhea

Prevent infections by following the rules of personal hygiene and nutrition (eating heat-treated foods, drinking bottled water, avoiding ice cubes).

Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Remember about the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (HIV, syphilis, chlamydia).

Summary

Proper preparation and vaccinations are a guarantee of a safe journey!