what vaccines do i need for South Africa? and how soon do i need it before flying?

Answer 1

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/africa.shtml

take a look at this site. it has all the different places in africa and tells you which vaccines you need for each one and also how long before you go you need to get them!

Answer 2

Thank you for asking that question. Went to that netdoctor site & I thought I didn't have the Diphtheria vaccine which you need 3 months before & I'm going on 4 April. Was worried for a few minutes, but I think I had the vaccine when I was at school. 10 weeks to go.

Answer 3

I am assuming your in the USA. The government has several very helpful websites available to anyone traveling abroad. For medical questions, I usually go to the BIG DOG on the block for health, the CDC. I like the US State Dept website as well (a bit dry but up to date info on all aspects of the country you'll be visiting. I'll list some websites for you, mostly, all you do is select the country you're heading too. Also, in some places going into the bush/jungle/wild areas, you may require (for your own good) additional precautionary meds, ask you doctor before leaving. It is good not to wait until right before a trip to get the vaccinations, do them as far in advance as possible and keep a record of them with you (or with your travel documents).

These websites are good for travel planning as well.
More info than you can image!
CDC
www.cdc.gov/travel
These three are all US state Dept
www.travel.state.gov
www.state.gov/travel
www.travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
US military gives good info and another med source:
www.military.com/Travel/Content1/0,,SAF_advisories,00.html
www.medicinenet.com/travel_medicine/article.htm
This website gives you links to all US Gov services plus one:
www.firstgov.gov
www.info.gov
It's not a bad idea to register with the Gov before leaving so that the local embassy has you on there info:
travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp

Answer 4

Cholera: Cholera is an uncommon disease in travellers and the old injectable available vaccine is of poor efficacy. Immunisation with the old injected vaccine against cholera is not considered appropriate for most travellers, although, where it is known that border officials may demand a cholera certificate, it is wiser to be in possession of such a certificate prior to departure. The newer oral cholera vaccine does provide significant protection against cholera, and is well tolerated. It may be wise for travellers with the potential to be exposed to uncertain water and food hygiene to consider immunisation with the oral vaccine. Immunisation does not absolve the traveller from following the recommended food and water hygiene practices.

Hepatitis A: Short term protection agains this water-borne viral disease is offered by a single injection of immunoglobulin. A vaccine is now available which provides protection for ten years and is suitable for the frequent traveller.

Polio: This vaccine is given orally, usually on a lump of sugar, and is a simple and safe protection against poliomyelitis which is still prevalent in some tropical and developing countries.

Tetanus: All travellers should be in date for tetanus immunisation as the disease is spread thoughout the world and is potentially a hazard to life. A booster dose is given as a single injection.

Typhoid: Typhoid is a disease contracted from contaminated food and water which leads to high fever and septicaemia. There are now three vaccines available for protection against typhoid, these are; the older monovalent vaccine (which is presently unavailable), a new injected single-dose vaccine, and a live oral vaccine. Immunisation is usually advised for those going to areas where the standards of food and water hygiene are lower than South Africa.

Yellow Fever: Yellow fever kills up to sixty per cent of those it attacks. It is a viral illness for which there is no cure, but there is an effective vaccine which will prevent it. The yellow fever virus continuously lurks in the background in the forests and jungles of Africa, Central and South America. Wild monkey populations act as a natural reservoir of virus in these tropical regions. The intermediary between man and monkey is a mosquito. Mosquitoes acquire the virus through feeding on the blood of infected monkeys. Should such an infected mosquito's next feed come from biting a human, that unfortunate person will most likely become a yellow fever victim. The illness develops within six days of being bitten by an infected mosquito, and the onset is usually sudden. A fever develops, with headache, body pains, and often nausea. The fever may then remit briefly, only to return as the sufferer's condition deteriorates. As the liver begins to reel under the virus' onslaught, a form of jaundice develops, with the victim turning yellow. Internal bleeding, followed by coma and death may then be expected. It is from the jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, that the disease has earnt its name. Fortunately there is a safe and very effective vaccine against yellow fever. The vaccine, if properly administered, provides solid immunity against the disease for ten years. Travellers immunized against yellow fever are issued with an internationally recognized vaccination certificate, for inspection by immigration officials. The international health regulations concerning yellow fever control are unequivocal, and unvaccinated travellers may face denial of entry, or even quarantine. This strict control is maintained because yellow fever vaccination serves two purposes, protecting both the individual traveller and the broader community. Travellers to yellow fever areas should be vaccinated for their own personal protection. Travellers from yellow fever areas should have been vaccinated to prevent the spread of the infection into the community at large. Many countries currently free of yellow fever have mosquitoes potentially capable of transmitting the disease. Health authorities are concerned to avoid the inadvertent introduction of the yellow fever virus to these mosquitoes, as this might cause a repeat of the epidemics of seen in previous years. South Africa is home to such mosquito species, but remains free of yellow fever.

Answer 5

My father is a dr. and he says the best time would be at least 2-3weeks before the flying

Answer 6

Katies answer is spot on.
Enjoy your holiday but be carefull as S.A. is still a bit dangerous and ask the Hotel Staff for the no-go areas.

Answer 7

yellow fever it's the most important u can get...ther's no specific date before flying but it's better like a month before.hope I answerd ur question...

Answer 8

Malaria fever