Take vaccines before your Eid travel

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Take vaccines before your Eid travel

Abu Dhabi - Dr Nawasreh said other vaccines given to people performing the Haj are hepatitis B vaccine and the flu vaccine.

By Jasmine Al Kuttab

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Published: Fri 17 Aug 2018, 11:15 PM

Last updated: Sat 18 Aug 2018, 1:20 AM

With thousands of people across the UAE preparing for their Eid Al Adha holidays, doctors are urging travellers to be cautious before entering certain countries and regions with serious risks. 
Dr Nasir Nawasreh, specialist in family medicine with subspecialty in acute care in emergency department, Bareen Hospital, said these countries may have carrier germs of various diseases. "Vaccinations are crucial for travellers," he said.
He warned that the top areas to be cautious about are countries in Africa and Asia, and people must be cautious not to bring home infections and diseases. 
"For people travelling to Africa, we advise about yellow fever, whereas Asia, including India and Pakistan, we advise about tropical medicine, food and water hygiene and cholera vaccine. We also give malaria vaccine two weeks before traveling to Africa and Asia. India and Pakistan are both common with typhoid, malaria and cholera," he said.
"For people visiting Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and the Haj, the meningitis vaccine is mandatory. The gathering of such a large number of people from different parts of the world in Makkah also brings along viruses."
Dr Nawasreh said other vaccines given to people performing the Haj are hepatitis B vaccine and the flu vaccine.
People with history of illnesses are more prone to catching viruses and diseases, he added. "We take information about the patients' illness history for extra precaution about which vaccines are required."
Doctors also ask whether the patient is planning on a business trip or a holiday.
"Some people travel to do volunteer work in dangerous areas. We ask whether they plan to stay - hotel, houses, desert, and whether they will do diving or camping."
He said travellers need tropical medicine against tic bites and mosquito bites, which can carry diseases. "But many people are hesitant to take the vaccines."
Dr Nawasreh said people are often reluctant to take vaccinations because of the possible side-effects. "Side-effects are expected, especially with children who get vaccinated - they may develop a fever, runny nose or diarrhea.
Vaccinations do not necessarily mean having to be injected by a needle or taking antibiotics. It can also mean educating the patient and raising awareness," he pointed out.
Dr Abdul Nasser Khan, internal medicine specialist at Universal Hospital, said people should consult their healthcare provider one month before their travel dates.
He stated the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) recommends taking the vaccines at least two weeks of consultation prior to traveling. "People travel to create long-lasting memories, but it can also lead to health problems."
He said travel-related health problems are caused by the exposure to infectious organisms, transportation and participating in activities or adventures, such as diving or high-altitude hiking.
"Prevention is crucial, which is why pre-travel planning, immunisations and safety precaution are important."
Dr Khan said one of the most common vaccines recommended is the yellow fever vaccine. "Yellow fever is usually found in Africa and South America and it starts from a mosquito bite, but it could be fatal."
He said those traveling to Asia, Africa and Latin America are also advised to take the typhoid vaccine, which protects them against the virus that is caught be drinking unclean water. Dr Khan pointed out that hepatitis A is another infection, which is caught by drinking unclean water and eating unclean food.
Dr Khan said the diseases people have encountered during their travels because they avoided vaccinations include hepatitis A, typhoid, influenza and pneumonia.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com


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