Polio is a contagious illness caused by a virus that primarily impacts nerves and spreads easily from person to person. If the virus infects someone, they may experience paralysis in certain limbs. The poliovirus can enter the body through contaminated food and water that is ingested. Children are especially susceptible to polio, but if you haven’t received the polio vaccine in New York City, you may also be at a high risk of contracting the disease.
Most people who get infected with poliovirus don’t have any symptoms instantly. Some people might have flu-like symptoms, and these effects usually last 2 to 5 days. A few general symptoms are:
- Fever.
- Sore throat.
- Headache and muscle pain.
- Stiff neck or back.
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
- Tiredness.
- In rare cases, weakness or paralysis in arms, legs, or both may last a lifetime.
Therefore, if you are planning to travel abroad, keep reading this blog, as we have mentioned information regarding the polio vaccine to help you prepare before your trip.
Polio Vaccination –
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued temporary recommendations for travelers if they visit polio-affected countries to eliminate the chances of getting infected. So if you are traveling to a country where there is a risk of polio, such as Afghanistan, Madagascar, Pakistan, Malawi, Republic of Congo, and more, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional or visit a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before you travel.
If you have not been vaccinated with all the recommended doses of the polio vaccine and also if you do not know your vaccination schedule, you need to seek help from an experienced doctor.
Moreover, according to the Provincial/territorial vaccination schedule, you should get the booster dose if you have received all the recommended polio vaccination doses or missed a booster dose after your 18th birthday.
To make your travel comfortable and safe, you need to complete your vaccination course and get the remaining doses before leaving. If you are going to visit another country with your children and infants, then make sure your children have received all the recommended shots as per their immunization schedule by province and territory.
Bring Proof of Vaccination
The list of polio-affected countries issued by the WHO requires long-term travelers to provide proof of vaccination depending on the type of circulating poliovirus. You must meet this requirement and receive the polio vaccine between 4 weeks and 12 months before your date of departure from the country. Moreover, you need to make sure that the polio vaccination is documented on the international certificate of vaccination.
Apart from the proof of immunization, you can follow some tips during your trip to avoid getting infected, which includes;
- You must only eat well-cooked and hot food. Plus, consume the water that has been boiled and disinfected, or you can get commercially sealed water bottles.
- You need to wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to keep your hands and surroundings clean while traveling.
Conclusion
As we know, there is no cure for polio, which makes it crucial to get complete vaccination before traveling since the symptoms of this disease can lead to death in severe cases.
So, if you need to consult reliable and experienced doctors to get a Polio Vaccine in New York, then the Travel Clinic of New York City is the best bet for you. They specialize in travel health services, including immunizations, vaccines, and other general wellness services.
Call 212-686-5835 and schedule an appointment today to share your requirements and get the immunization you may need for your trip.
Travel Clinic Of New York City 
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