Vaccines needed to travel

Whenever the heat begins to tighten, or in the end the good weather stalks us (although it is also true that the cold can also become a good incentive), it is usual that we want to go on vacation, possibly to another distant country.

For the most part, these countries are characterized by being prime tourist destinations, above all exotic places and a good claim to enjoy and rest.

But before starting to plan the trip it is necessary to know what are the vaccines needed to travel, especially those you should know before embarking on the trip to your place of vacation.

From a medical and health point of view, it is fundamental in the first place know the country to which you are going; that is, if there is a risk of contagion of some type of disease and ultimately what are the essential vaccines.

In this sense, you must bear in mind that the vaccine will depend above all on each traveler as well as on each trip (in addition to the situation in which the country to which you will travel is located). In fact, there is a certain series of vaccines that are subject to international regulations, so that the country to which you travel may require the International Certificate of Vaccination.

The 5 most common vaccines if you are traveling

Here we indicate a list of vaccines to travel that we could consider as main:

Hepatitis A vaccine

Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease, caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is spread through contact with the feces of infected people. If a person becomes infected with this virus, symptoms such as fever, lack of appetite, fatigue, joint pain, nausea and vomiting, as well as jaundice and stomach pains arise.

These symptoms tend to appear between 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to the virus, and their vaccination helps prevent this type of infection, which can lead to liver failure and death, although this is actually rare.

Hepatitis B vaccine

Like hepatitis A, hepatitis B is also a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, whose infection can last a few weeks, or it can even become a condition that can last a lifetime. be therefore acute or chronic.

Acute infection can lead to fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and tiredness, nausea and vomiting, jaundice and pain in the stomach, muscles and joints. While, chronic infection can result in cirrhosis (liver damage), liver cancer and death.

Typhoid fever vaccine

Typhoid fever is considered a serious illness, caused by theSalmonella Typhy, an acteria. You may have tiredness and weakness, high fever, headache and stomach pain, loss of appetite, and only occasionally rash on the skin.

It is contracted through contaminated water or food, and if left untreated it can be fatal in 30% of cases. The vaccine, therefore, helps prevent the disease. There are a total of two vaccines: one inactivated which is administered as an injection, and another weakened, which is consumed orally.

Cholera vaccine

Cholera is a disease transmitted by bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting, so that if not treated quickly, it can cause dehydration and lead to death. In most cases, most travelers do not need the cholera vaccine, as long as they do not travel to areas where the infection is common. In these cases, vaccination in adults between 18 to 64 years of age is recommended.

Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough vaccine

Tetanus is, nowadays, a rare disease, which can cause painful stiffness in muscles and tension, especially in the muscles of the head and neck. On the other hand, diphtheria can cause the formation of a thick layer in the back of the throat, which can cause breathing problems, as well as paralysis, heart failure and death.

Whooping cough, in turn, causes severe coughing fits that can cause shortness of breath and vomiting. One of its main complications is pneumonia, which can lead to death.

The Tdap vaccine can protect the person from tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. Nowadays it is usual to administer a dose of this vaccine in children from 11 to 12 years old, but if you are an adult and you did not receive it, it is possible that they recommend your administration if you are traveling.

Other vaccines equally useful for traveling

There are also other vaccines whose administration is recommended depending on the country where you are going to travel. They are the following:

  • Vaccine of Japanese encephalitis
  • Vaccination of spring-summer encephalitis
  • Influenza vaccine
  • Pneumococcal vaccine
  • Rabies vaccine
  • Meningococcal vaccine

It is advisable to go to an information center for international travelers and the international vaccination center of the Ministry of Health and Consumption for more information.

Images of Istockphoto. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesVaccines

What Travel Vaccinations do I Need? (February 2024)