How To Stay Healthy

1. Get the recommended immunizations (see below);
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
3. Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it;
4. If visiting an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed by your doctor;
5. Don't share needles with anyone;
6. To avoid bites and serious diseases, don't handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats);
7. Bring enough of any prescription medications you need to take;
8. Don't have unprotected sex; and
9. Educate yourself!

Immunizations (CDC Recommended Vaccines)

See your doctor at least 4 weeks before your trip to allow time for immunizations to take effect, and make sure children get immunizations appropriate for their age.

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
  
• Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay more than 6 months in the region, or be exposed through medical treatment.
  
• Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
  
• Yellow fever vaccination, if you will be traveling outside urban areas.
  
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles.
  
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation, or if you a plan to spend a lot of time in the country or the rainforest.
  
• Other vaccinations in the event of epidemics.