Tropical holidays – how to prepare?

Malaria, yellow fever, typhoid fever… It sounds terrifying and far-off! And while you won't find these diseases in your backyard, the situation changes dramatically when you're planning a tropical vacation. Wild nature, a fascinatingly different culture, and a hot climate attract many Europeans every year, but they also carry numerous risks. What do you need to know to avoid getting sick and enjoy a safe vacation?

Proper preparation for a trip, even a short one, will help you avoid many misunderstandings and problems, because, as we all know, prevention is better than cure. The more tourists discover the beauty of distant lands, the more likely they will encounter unpleasant surprises – serious illness, disability, or even death.
Don't let your guard down after returning from your travels. Seemingly harmless diarrhea or fever can be the firstsymptom of one of the most common infectious diseases in tropical and subtropical zones – malaria. In such cases, a medical checkup at a tropical medicine or infectious diseases clinic is essential.

Malaria

Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, specifically female Anopheles mosquitoes. It's caused by tiny protozoa of the genus Plasmodium – the malaria parasites that, after being bitten by a female mosquito, enter the bloodstream, attacking red blood cells, leading to their breakdown. It's best to avoid them, but if you can't, you should be very alert for the first symptoms of the disease. 

Symptoms of malaria vary depending on the type of parasite. Two forms of the disease are commonly distinguished: "benign" malaria and "malignant" malaria, also known as cerebral or tropical malaria. Initially, nonspecific symptoms may resemble the flu – feeling unwell, headaches, bone pain, or fever. The subsequent course depends on the parasite. Tropical malaria is particularly dangerous, as it can be fatal and has an unusual course.

Remember that malaria attacks can occur even several months after infection!

How can you avoid malaria if there's no vaccine? You can reduce your risk by taking appropriate antimalarial medications. Their effectiveness depends on the susceptibility of the parasite, which varies in different malarial regions. Therefore, it's worth visiting a travel medicine clinic to obtain information and a prescription for the appropriate medication.

Yellow fever

Another very dangerous mosquito-borne disease. It belongs to the group of hemorrhagic fevers, highly contagious diseases that can lead to epidemics. The disease occurs in some African countries (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo /Brazil/, Kenya, and Nigeria), and in South America, such as Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela.

Many countries require travelers to include proof of mandatory vaccination against the disease in their International Vaccination Booklet, also known as the Yellow Booklet. This is especially recommended for those who will be traveling through several countries in a region at risk of yellow fever or who are traveling to a country that requires the Yellow Booklet upon entry.

The incubation period of yellow fever lasts several days, and initial symptoms are nonspecific and resemble those of the flu or a cold. After a short, asymptomatic phase, severe systemic symptoms appear, including fever, intense jaundice, and hemorrhage. Liver and kidney damage can lead to coma and, in many cases, death. To date, there is no effective treatment. In this case, the only effective way to prevent yellow fever is vaccination.

Typhoid fever or typhus

The disease belongs to the group of "dirty hands" diseases and occurs in underdeveloped countries: Africa, South Asia, and the Far East. It is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. Infection occurs through the consumption of contaminated products – ice cream, meat, milk, contaminated water – or through direct contact with an infected person. Flies are dangerous carriers of the bacteria. The incubation period is 1 to 3 weeks. It is characterized by a gradually increasing, high fever that persists for a long time (approximately 3 weeks), headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and, in the advanced stage, impaired consciousness. Symptoms are accompanied by enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Complications of the disease may include hemorrhage or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial. Available vaccinations provide immunity for up to 3 years after just one dose.

Vaccination is the best protection

The choice of vaccinations depends on the region of the country, the duration of stay, the immunological status, as well as the nature of the trip and the type of activities undertaken. Post-vaccination immunity develops after a minimum of two weeks.

Recommended vaccinations before departure

Regardless of the chosen direction of travel:

• tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough
• hepatitis B
• measles, mumps and rubella
• poliomyelitis

Depending on the country or region of the country we are traveling to:

• yellow fever
• typhoid
• hepatitis A
• meningococcal disease
• tick-borne encephalitis
• Japanese encephalitis
• rabies

More details at https://www.gov.pl/web/gis/zalecane-szczepienia-dla-podrozujacych

Frequently asked questions – FAQ