The slow pace of influenza spread so far this year may be coming to an end. In this week’s Flu Report, we see the first state be declared to have moderate flu activity, and we pass a few other influenza-related milestones as well.
Uber, flu shots and Passport Health combine once again to bring immunizations to people in 36 cities throughout the United States.
Influenza affects up to 20 percent of people every year and harms individuals, families and the economy at large. But, Uber and Passport Health are teaming up to help you stay FluFree.
Today, Passport Health and Uber will be delivering shots to the following cities:
Northeast: Baltimore; Boston; Hartford, Conn.; Hoboken, N.J.; Jersey City, N.J.; New York; Philadelphia; Providence, R.I..; Washington, Worcester, Mass.
South: Atlanta; Charleston, S.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas; Houston; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; Orlando; Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; Richmond; Tampa Bay, Fla.
Midwest: Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Detroit; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee; Pittsburgh
West: Boise, Idaho; Los Angeles; Orange County, Calif.; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; San Francisco, Seattle.
For just $10, individuals that request UberHEALTH through their Uber app will receive:
“Flu shots are often our best line of defense against this nasty bug,” said Vicki Sowards, Director of Nursing Resources for Passport Health. “The Uber-Passport Health partnership is key to raising awareness of the importance of influenza vaccination and help protect even more people against this potentially deadly disease.”
To learn out more about how to participate in this program see Uber’s helpful blog post.
Already received your flu shot from the UberHEALTH program? Share your photos or stories below, on Facebook or via Twitter.
Imagine sending your daughter off to school, but she never comes home. That is what happened to Grace Nye, a mother from Toppenish, Washington, in October of 1918. A letter to her from her daughter’s headmaster reads as follows:
“Absolutely everything possible was done in the way of medical care and nursing. The sick was never left alone for one minute, someone was administering to their needs and looking after them and I want you to feel that in this sickness that your daughter has had as good attention as she possibly could have had in any hospital or home.”
Typhoid fever is quite common in developing countries and areas with poor sanitation standards. The widespread nature of the disease requires taking special precautions. The best protection against typhoid is vaccination and avoiding risky foods or drinks.
Typhoid is a serious illness caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria. The bacterium passes from person-to-person through the consumption of contaminated food or water. Typhoid is so widespread that more than 21.5 million people worldwide fall ill annually, according to the World Health Organization.
The typhoid bacterium lives in human intestinal tracts and bloodstreams. It is only carried by humans, and it spreads through the feces of carriers or people who are ill with the disease. It is often spread when sewage contaminates drinking water or water used for washing food. As a result, typhoid is common in areas where sanitation is poor.
Infections tend to develop over time, starting about three weeks after exposure. Symptoms include high fever, weakness, stomach pains, headaches, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation. Some patients will develop a flat, rose-colored rash. If the disease goes untreated, death can result.
The typhoid vaccine is available in oral and injectable form. Full immunity can take up to two weeks to develop. Get the vaccine in advance of your departure and potential exposure to the bacteria. Vaccination is a key line of defense, but avoiding risky drinks and food is also important.
Although the disease is treatable with antibiotics, drug-resistant strains make treatment difficult. These variants of typhoid fever thrive in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. They are typically resistant to first-line antibiotics but are preventable through vaccination.
Before traveling to a typhoid hotspot, schedule an appointment with a Passport Health travel health specialist. This appointment provides complete education about vaccination options and safety tips to avoid typhoid.
The first step to avoiding typhoid is receiving the typhoid vaccine. Beyond that, here are a few tips to help you avoid the disease:
Typhoid is a fairly common infection among international travelers. If you return from a trip and fall ill, visit a health care provider immediately. Be sure to supply him or her with a complete itinerary of your trip.
To learn more about typhoid fever, visit our typhoid vaccination portal.
Planning a trip to the Caribbean, Africa or another region with typhoid? Make an appointment at your local Passport Health clinic by calling or booking online today.
The Singapore Ministry of Health recently announced the second death from dengue fever this year in the country. Singapore, which has been known to have outbreaks of the mosquito-borne virus, noted this important fact in this report: both deaths were individuals visiting the country from abroad. Although the ministry is still trying to determine where the second patient contracted the disease, the first patient was living in a known dengue-infected area.
Unfortunately, dengue fever is fairly difficult to prevent in comparison to rabies, yellow fever or even influenza. The disease is spread by mosquitoes, but there is no vaccination against it, with the best protection coming in the form of mosquito repellents. However, regardless of the existence (or not) of a vaccine, both of these cases serve to show the importance of travel medicine for all individuals. Travel medicine is about more than just vaccines; be sure to visit a travel health specialist before any trip, whether vaccines are required or not, to make sure you are armed with the best strategies for staying healthy and safe.
Visiting a travel clinic isn’t just something we believe you should do. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highly recommends visiting a travel clinic before you leave the country, especially if traveling to an area where infectious diseases are present. There are a few key reason for this guidance:
In addition to these points, many countries require certain vaccinations, such as the yellow fever vaccine, in order to enter the country. Just as a passport and visa may be required to enter certain countries, some nations require proof of your immunizations in order to protect the health of their people. If you don’t have proof of vaccination, you may be required to return home at your own expense, just as you would without a visa.
Visiting a travel clinic before you leave can help alleviate all of these issues and help you stay safe and happy while traveling.
Travel vaccines, and vaccination in general, are typically the best form of protection against diseases. Smallpox, polio, rubella and other infections have either been eradicated or nearly eradicated with the help of safe and effective vaccines in the U.S. As a result, some diseases may not exist where you live, and you may have never been vaccinated against them. Consider this:
Your travel vaccination needs will vary depending on where you are going, making it important to consult with a travel health specialist, like at your nearest Passport Health, about what is best for you during your trip.
Visiting a travel medicine clinic is the first step in assuring good health while traveling. Follow this list of important tips to learn some of the key things you can do:
If you have any further questions or require assistance with your travel medicine needs, please see our travel vaccinations page or contact a Passport Health Travel Specialist today by calling or booking your appointment online today.
What are your best travel health tips? Let us know in the comments below, on Twitter or through our Facebook page.
