National Center for Infectious Diseases

Health Information for Travelers to East Asia "The preventive measures you need to take while traveling in East Asia depend on the areas you visit and the length of time you stay. You should observe the precautions listed on the CDC website in most areas of this region. However, in highly developed areas of Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, you should observe health precautions similar to those that would apply while traveling in the United States."

NOTE: All information on this website that is seen in quotes is directly from CDC. All other is extra information that travelers before us have found helpful while in China.

Traveler's Diarrhea

"The number one illness in travelers, can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. Coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe." Drink only bottled or carbonated water that is bought from a reputable source. Never use ice cubes. Don't allow water from the shower to enter your mouth. Use only boiled or bottled water to brush your teeth. Place a washcloth over the water to remind you not to use it! Take along a prescription for Cipro antibiotics if you do get sick!

Malaria

"Malaria is a serious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms may include fever and flu-like illness, including chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue." All About Malaria

SARS: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

There have been recommendations to get a flu shot in early November to help ward off flus and possible SARS attacks. Check with your doctor to see if the flu shot may benefit you. For more information on SARS from the CDC, please click this link. FAQ's about SARS

Vaccines

There are several vaccines recommended for travel into this area of the world. The following are recommended by CDC. "Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diptheria Booster, and Measles." To see more details click the following link. Recommended Vaccines

Always Take Precautions
• "Wash hands often with soap and water.
  
• Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers, walk and drive defensively. Avoid travel at night if possible and always use seat belts.
  
• Don’t eat or drink dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
  
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself.
• Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
  
• Never eat undercooked ground beef and poultry, raw eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products.
• Raw shellfish is particularly dangerous to persons who have liver disease or compromised immune systems."

To AVOID getting sick...
• "Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
  
• Don’t drink beverages with ice.
  
• Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases.
  
• Don’t swim in fresh water (except for well-chlorinated swimming pools) in certain areas of China (southeast, east, and Yangtze River valley) to avoid infection."