Vaccination before the trip to the Caribbean

Get vaccinated before your trip to the Caribbean

Are you travelling to the Caribbean? Then there are some things that you should be aware of before you travel, in order to fully enjoy the white beaches of Jamaica, Bahamas or any of the other countries in the area. In many Caribbean countries, there are diseases that require vaccination before departure. The recommendations for travel vaccines in the Caribbean vary slightly depending on the country you intend to visit. Always check with your vaccine central well in advance of your trip.

Some of the most common diseases that require vaccination in the Caribbean are the following:

Hepatitus A

Hepatitis A is a disease that generally occurs in countries with poor drinking water quality. The disease is caused by a virus found in contaminated water, but can also be spread through food that has been exposed to water or from person to person. The disease causes hepatitis, and the symptoms can be seen in the general condition with vomiting, dizziness and fatigue, among other symptoms. The disease never becomes chronic but there is no direct treatment, and therefore vaccination is recommended. If you contract the disease, you are then immune to it for life.

Hepatitis B

Like hepatitis A, hepatitis B is a hepatitis caused by a virus. In addition to the liver, hepatitis B is also found in the blood and other body fluids. Hepatitis B is transmitted through body fluids, such as blood and saliva, in contact with mucous membranes and during intercourse. The incubation period is long, 2 – 6 months, and you can infect other both before you feel sick and for a while after you feel healthy. The disease can feel like the flu and usually goes away on its own – however, there is a risk that the disease becomes chronic and contagious throughout life!

Typhoid fever

This is a disease that was previously called simple blood poisoning. Typhoid fever is caused by ingesting water that is contaminated or poorly prepared food. In cases of typhoid fever, it is important to get treatment quickly as it is a life-threatening disease. The symptoms are mainly high fever that does not go away, muscle aches, headaches and stomach issues.

Sources Hepatitis A:
Folkhälsomyndigheten
CDC

Sources Hepatitis B:
Folkhälsomyndigheten
CDC

Sources Typhoid:
Folkhälsomyndigheten
CDC