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Should I Get A Flu Shot Before Traveling To Europe?

Flu Shot Before Your Upcoming Trip to Europe? – Yes Or No?

Yes! You should definitely get a flu shot before your international travel to Europe. The flu season is still in full swing there and many countries are experiencing a shortage of flu vaccines.

You should get a flu shot if you intend to travel to Europe to lessen the risk of flu. It is best to get a flu shot at least 2 weeks before travel.

The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all people 6 months of age and older receive an annual flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu.

Europe is a high-risk place for flu viruses and prevailing during the fall and winter months.

It is true that influenza viruses are particularly dangerous this time of year, and a flu vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself from catching the virus.

Characteristics of the flu

The flu is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, nose, throat and sometimes the lungs.

The most common symptoms of this infectious disease are a fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, chills and fatigue, but the symptoms can vary from person to person.

It can last a day or more. Symptoms usually peak within two to eight days with whooping cough after you’re infected.

This virus may also cause flu-related complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, sinus infection, bronchitis, and dehydration that may need medical attention.

You can get the flu when you are exposed to small droplets of water that contain the flu virus from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes. You can also get it from contaminated objects or surfaces.

The flu is a highly contagious virus that strikes up to tens of millions of people annually. While most people recover in a few days, for those who are hospitalized, the flu is a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition.

Other health concerns may be present in Europe

Traveling across Europe can be a fun way to get out of the city and explore some of the best sights in the world.

However, getting sick on a trip can ruin all of your plans. Although the common cold is a minor annoyance, other health concerns are out of the ordinary and may be more severe.

Some of these diseases are:

Diarrhea

Travelers to many European countries can be at risk of serious gastrointestinal infections and food poisoning caused by bacteria present in foods and water.

There are several measures you can take to protect yourself from these diseases in Europe.

Here are several steps you can take to protect yourself from these diseases when traveling in Europe:

  1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
  2. Eat foods that are fully cooked and served hot.
  3. Avoid raw and undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, and eggs. 
  4. Drink only bottled water or other drinks that are sealed and served cold.
  5. Avoid swallowing water from swimming pools and do not swim in fresh water sources.
  6. Do not use ice cubes, and avoid using unbottled water for brushing your teeth.
  7. If you have diarrhea, drink diarrhea remedy medicines and plenty of clear fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.
  8. If you have nausea or vomiting, take anti-sickness drugs as soon as possible.

Cholera

Cholera is a disease caused by a tiny organism called a bacterium. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and death.

The bacterium releases a toxin that can cause severe diarrhea that can cause a person to pass very stony, grainy stool that looks like sand or small pebbles. This also causes vomiting and if not treated, can kill you.

The bacterium is spread through contaminated food and water. It can also be spread through sexual contact.

If you have been in contact with someone with cholera, you should be aware of two things. First, you may get cholera. The disease is widely transmitted by the faeces of persons who have it.

Second, even if you do get cholera you will probably not be very sick. The number of people who die of cholera in the industrialized countries is very small, even when people do not take any kind of medicine.

Julien Beaubien

Julien Beaubien

Julien here. Traveller, a fan of leather bags and a blogger. Put all those together and you have MyLeatherTravelBag.com. I started the site as a medium for my ramblings. Over time, I grew to realise, people actually like them. So now, I am out to help and educate (while entertaining people!).

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