Medical Considerations

 

All travelers should visit their personal physician 4-8 weeks before departure. Talk to your doctor about the following:

 

• Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A

  • Hepatitis B

  • Typhoid

  • Yellow fever

  • Tetanus

  • Polio

  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

  • Meningococcal Meningitis (Africa/Asia)

  • Japanese encephalitis (Asian regions)

• Malaria pills (equatorial regions)

• Altitude sickness/Diamox pills (for high altitude travel/trekking)

• Prescriptions you are currently taking

• EKG testing

 

Should you require any medication whatsoever, you must provide your own and be able to administer it yourself. Medical supplies in other countries are not reliable or guaranteed.
Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. 

 

Malaria
Insect protection measures are essential in all areas where malaria is reported. The number of cases of malaria has risen sharply in recent years, due in part to internal migration and the spread of irrigation for rice and cotton farming. 
Wear long sleeves, long pants, hats and shoes (rather than sandals). Apply insect repellents containing 20-35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) or 20% picaridin (Bayrepel) to exposed skin (but not to the eyes, mouth, or open wounds).

 

Drinking Water
We recommend that you always drink bottled or treated water.