Traveler Alert: Protection Against Malaria

Malaria in humans is caused by one of four protozoan species. All species are transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito. Occasionally Malaria transmission occurs by blood transfusion or congenitally from mother to fetus.

Signs and Symptoms of Malaria
Malaria is characterized by fever and flu-like symptoms, including chills, headache, body aches and fatigue; these symptoms may occur at intervals. Malaria may be associated with anemia and jaundice, and may cause kidney failure, coma and death. Deaths due to Malaria are preventable. The estimated risk of a traveler acquiring Malaria varies markedly from area to area. A Passport Health Travel Medicine Specialist will help you to determine your risk and Malaria prevention measures.

Protective Measures Against Malaria
Because no currently available drug regimen guarantees 100\% protection against Malaria, prevention of infection requires taking antimalarial medication as directed in addition to prevention of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes that carry Malaria have nocturnal feeding habits, thus Malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn. Measures to reduce mosquito contact during critical hours include:

•Remaining in well-screened or air conditioned areas
•Using mosquito nets treated with Permethrin
•Wearing clothing that covers most of the body and has been treated with Permethrin
•Using insect repellents containing appropriate levels of DEET
•Using insecticides in living and sleeping areas where appropriate
Passport Health carries CDC and WHO recommended insect repellents for purchase.

Antimalarial Drugs
Most antimalarials act in the bloodstream to suppress clinical symptoms by inhibiting parasite development in red blood cells. Regardless of duration of stay in a Malarious area, antimalarials should be taken by all travelers. The regime for all Malaria medications include the need to be taken before arrival, during the visit, and after departure from a Malaria risk area. This approach assures adequate blood levels of the drug, enables the traveler to switch to another drug in the event of side effects and gets the traveler in the habit of taking the drug on a regular basis. Because antimalarials do not actually prevent the disease, continued dosing with antimalarials after departure from an endemic area ensures that the drug will kill any lingering parasites. A Passport Health Travel Medicine Specialist will counsel you on recommended antimalaria medications specific to your travel destination. Antimalaria medications may be prescribed for you by the Travel Medicine Specialist and many locations may have antimalaria medications available for purchase.

Follow-Up
Regardless of the drug regimen used, it is still possible to contract Malaria during travel and to become ill following departure from a malarious area. Travelers should seek medical attention as soon as possible if a fever illness develops during a trip or the first year following exposure. Malaria may be fatal if treatment is delayed.

So, if you are asking yourself, "what travel shots do I need? or where to get the Malaria vaccine", call 732-345-0029 for your appointment today!
www.passporthealthnj.com

Tdap, Meningitis, Pneumonia and HPV Vaccines for only $40.00 at Passport Health in New Jersey

Passport Health offices in East Brunswick, Lawrenceville, Morristown, and Shrewsbury are proud to be a part of the ARRA Vaccine program. Tdap, Meningitis, Pneumonia and HPV Vaccines are in stock and available.
The vaccines are provided by the Federal Government at no cost to New Jersey residents.
NJVFC children excluded
Passport Health will Charge an office visit fee of $23.36 plus an administration fee of $16.64
Total cost to recipient is $40.00

Menactra approved for ages 2-55 only
Menveo approved for ages 11-55 only
Pneumovax 23 approved for ages 2 and up
Tdap approved for ages Boostrix 10-64, Adacel 11-64
Gardasil ** approved for ages 9-26
Cervarix ** approved for ages 10-25

** indicates series necessary for optimal immunity.
$ 40. charge is per dose.

Passport Health is not a Medicare Provider and does no insurance billing or filing of forms.
Payment is by cash or credit card only( no Checks).
Medically coded receipts are provided.

1-800-741-0504
www.passporthealthnj.com
vaccineprograms@passporthealthnj.com

Protect your newborn, get yourself vaccinated

Parents and family members are the primary source of pertussis transmission to vulnerable infants
It is estimated that up to 3.3 million cases of pertussis occur each year in adults and adolescents in the United States
Studies show that when the source can be identified, family members are the source of transmission in up to 83% of infant cases
With a household attack rate reaching 90% to 100%, pertussis is highly contagious
Despite CDCb recommendations, only 6% of adults reported receiving Tdap vaccine from 2005 through 2008
Immunization with Tdap vaccine may help protect adults and adolescents against pertussis, and help reduce the risk of transmission to vulnerable infants.
Call for your appointment today 732-345-0029 or 1-800-741-0504, www.passporthealthnj.com

Be protected from hepatitis A or hepatitis B infection

What is TWINRIX?
TWINRIX is a vaccine for adults 18 years of age or older. It is injected into your upper arm muscle. It is used to help protect against hepatitis A and hepatitis B infections, which can affect the liver. TWINRIX may not fully protect everyone who receives the vaccine, especially those with immune system disorders. TWINRIX is not used for the “treatment” of hepatitis A or hepatitis B.
Who should get TWINRIX?
There are many things that could put you at risk for either hepatitis A or hepatitis B. You should talk to a healthcare provider to find out more.
How does TWINRIX work?
TWINRIX works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) that prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infection. The vaccine cannot give you a hepatitis A or hepatitis B infection.
What are the benefits of using TWINRIX?
TWINRIX provides protection against two of the most common forms of hepatitis, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, through a single vaccine series. You can get separate shots for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, but that would mean a total of 5 shots in 4 visits to a healthcare provider. With the standard schedule for TWINRIX, you only need 3 shots in 3 visits to Passport Health

Travel Alert! Malaria

Each year, more than 250 million cases of malaria are reported worldwide, killing between one and 3 million people. 90% of malaria-related deaths take place in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Torres Strait Islands (Australia) 5 cases have been reported recently. In Mumbai India 137 cases have been reported since April 2010 to present. In Andhra Pradesh India 2 deaths have been reported this year and 311 cases were reported in February alone. In the city of Quillabamba, Peru 9 cases have been recently reported. Rizal Philippines is usually considered a low risk area, however about 200 cases and 2 deaths were reported in 2010. In South Africa 2 deaths were reported in Limpopo Province recently. In Sri Lanka there have been 580 cases reported in the last year; spread of the disease has increased by 25%. In Swaziland over 20 cases have been reported so far this year. Tropical malaria manifests with flu-like symptoms and high fever. It is recommended to use prophylactic anti-malarial medications as well as mosquito repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and Permethrin on outer clothing, mosquito netting and bedding.
Call Passport Health today for an appointment 1-800-741-0504 www.passporthealthnj.com

Meningitis Vaccine for School

New Jersey requires meningitis vaccination for all first-time four-year college and university students living on campus.
All first-time college and university students who are living on campus must be vaccinated against meningitis.
Passport Health Offices in Lawrenceville, Morristown, East Brunswick and Shrewsbury, New Jersey have the vaccine available to New Jersey residents through a federally funded program for a total cost of $40.00
Call for your appointment today. 1-800-741-0504
www.passporthealthnj.com

Travel Alert Japan post earthquake-tsunami

March 11, 2011 Japan was hit by an 8.9 earthquake and tsunami. Flood waters and standing waters pose various risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries. Increased incidence of Diarrheal diseases, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, and Measles, Mumps, Rubella can arise after a natural disaster. Radiation is also a risk in Japan now. The adverse health effects of radiation exposure can range from mild effects, such as skin reddening, to serious effects such as cancer and death, depending on the amount of radiation absorbed by the body, the type of radiation, the route of exposure, and the length of time a person was exposed. Travelers should be aware and properly protected before traveling to Japan. In January 2010, Haiti was hit by a 7.0 earthquake. It is estimated that 230,000 people died and 300,000 people were injured. Cholera was first detected in October 2010, and to date 3759 deaths have been reported. The outbreak is expected to continue for a period of years unless the current poor water and sanitation conditions are resolved. Increased incidence of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Tuberculosis and Measles, Mumps, Rubella have been reported. Even before the earthquake, Haiti had the highest tuberculosis rate in the Americas. In normal times, Haiti sees about 30,000 new cases of tuberculosis each year. Dengue Fever and Malaria are both endemic in Haiti. Travelers should be aware and properly protected against present diseases in Haiti.