Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
Vaccination Advice
Mandatory
No mandatory vaccinations
Malaria prevalent
No
Vaccinations protect you against infectious diseases that are prevalent in Abu Dhabi. Book an appointment for personalised travel advice at vaccinatiecentrum.nl.
The following vaccinations are recommended when travelling to Abu Dhabi:
DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio), Hepatitis A (infectious jaundice), Measles, Hepatitis B and Rabies.
Some of these vaccinations are always advised, regardless of the length of your stay in Abu Dhabi. These are DTP and Hepatitis A. The other vaccination recommendations depend on your health situation, living conditions, length of stay, the areas you visit and the activities you undertake in Abu Dhabi.
Schedule an appointment
Will you be travelling to Abu Dhabi soon? Don’t wait too long and book an appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl on time for your personal travel advice, including the necessary vaccinations and any travel medication. Together, we’ll make sure you’re well prepared for your trip and return healthy!
How to prevent a malaria infection
Dit blog is gepubliceerd op 3 juni 2023
Although you don’t want to think about it happening to you, some journeys carry the risk of contracting malaria. Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to protect yourself against this disease. In this blog, we will list them for you.
Know what to expect
Before your trip, you probably spend most of your time figuring out what to expect from your travel destination when it comes to culture and activities. To make sure you can fully enjoy this, it is important to also find out what you can expect from your destination in terms of health. Find out well in advance which diseases are common in the area you are travelling to. You can take preventive measures against many of these diseases (in some cases, such as yellow fever, this is even obligatory!) to protect yourself.
Malaria is mainly found in warm, humid regions, thus especially in parts of Asia, Africa and South America. Besides malaria, other diseases can also be found here. When you book an appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl, one of our traveller’s nurses will check with you what diseases are common in your country of destination and will give you personal advice based on your health and travel plans.
Preventive measures against malaria
It is best to minimise the risk of infection. You do this by properly protecting yourself from mosquito bites, as this is how the disease is spread. Malaria mosquitoes are mostly active at night and early in the morning, so it is important to sleep under an impregnated mosquito net. Mosquitoes hate moving air, so if there is an air conditioner or fan at your sleeping accommodation, that’s a big plus.
It is also wise to wear covering clothes, i.e. long trousers (tuck your pant legs into your socks for extra protection) and long-sleeved outerwear. In addition, apply mosquito repellent with DEET to uncovered skin.
Malaria pills as additional protection
There is no vaccine against malaria. However, there are pills you can take to prevent malaria. When travelling to Asia or South America, you can take these pills with you for emergencies so that you can treat yourself against malaria if necessary. Are you travelling to Africa? Then vaccinatiecentrum.nl recommends a preventive course of treatment in some cases. This means taking malaria pills during your trip to prevent you from getting sick. During your appointment, we will discuss what would be the best option for you and which malaria pills are most suitable for you. We will write the prescription during the appointment. Preventive materials such as a mosquito net or mosquito repellent are available with us.
Are you going to travel? Vaccinatiecentrum.nl is your first stop
If you plan to travel, book an appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl well in advance. Our traveller’s nurses will give you personal advice and take care of the necessary travel vaccinations and any prescriptions for travel medication. Together, we will make sure you travel healthy and return home healthy.
Schistosomiasis
WHAT IS SCHISTOSOMIASIS?
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) is a parasitic worm infection. There are five related species that can infect humans. Worldwide, more than two hundred million people are infected with schistosomiasis. In most cases, the infection causes few symptoms.
The infection can be divided into four stages:
– Invasion stage
– Migration and maturation phase
– Phase of established infection
– Phase of severe chronic infection
During the invasion stage, the parasite’s larvae penetrate the skin. In some cases this is accompanied by itching on the skin after swimming in fresh water (a type of athlete’s foot).
The migration and maturation phase begins two to six weeks after infection. Acute schistosomiasis can develop during this phase. This is also called Katayama syndrome. This phase is often accompanied by fever. These disease symptoms are caused by the first eggs that produce the schistosoma. The symptoms consist of fever, tiredness, muscle pain, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, weight loss, joint pain, redness on the skin, sometimes an enlarged liver or spleen.
The symptoms during the stage of an established schistosomiasis infection are caused by a reaction to the eggs of the parasite. The eggs can get stuck in the wall of the intestine or bladder. Symptoms of schistosomiasis in the intestines are blood and/or mucus in the stool, abdominal pain and diarrhea (sometimes dysentery). In bladder schistosomiasis we see blood in the urine. These symptoms appear several months after the initial infection.
In the phase of severe chronic infection in schistosomiasis, the eggs that were in the wall of the intestines and/or bladder have passed through the bloodstream to the liver and/or lungs. These symptoms appear months to years after the initial infection. With schistosomiasis in the intestines, this can lead to complaints of the liver, an enlarged spleen and esophagus problems. In bladder schistosomiasis, it can lead to bladder wall calcification and scarring, which can eventually lead to bladder cancer. Very rarely, the eggs pass into organs other than the bladder and intestines. For example, in the genitals or the nervous system. This can also cause long-term complaints, depending on where the eggs occur.
HOW DO YOU GET SCHISTOSOMIASIS?
Schistosomiasis occurs in fresh surface water in (sub)tropical areas. Most infections are contracted in sub-Saharan Africa, but schistosomiasis can also be contracted in other parts of Africa, parts of Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, China, the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Aquatic snails are the hosts for the parasite.
Contamination occurs when people swim in water in which these snails live or drink this (unboiled) water. The schistosomes can penetrate the skin and then spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. In that place they can nest and form eggs.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST SCHISTOSOMIASIS?
Schistosomiasis can be prevented by avoiding contact with fresh surface water. That means no swimming in rivers and lakes, even when the locals do.
In areas where schistosomiasis is common, it is also wise to avoid shower water when this water is taken from the lakes and rivers.
If you do come into contact with water, it is best to dry your skin immediately and do not allow it to air dry. Do this especially next to the edge of swimsuits, where water dries less quickly. It can prevent larvae that have not yet penetrated the skin from penetrating further.
You cannot prevent an infection with schistosomiasis by taking medication beforehand or right afterwards. When you are offered medication on site, for example by diving schools, you should not just take it. Vaccinatiecentrum.nl advises you to always contact a doctor after freshwater contact in the tropics to see what the best strategy is.
After exposure, we can perform a blood test for schistosomiasis at least six weeks after your return. There is no vaccine that protects against infection with schistosomiasis.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR SCHISTOSOMIASIS?
Diagnosis of schistosomiasis
If you suspect or if you have a certain infection of schistosomiasis, you can do a blood test for antibodies against the parasite at vaccinationcentrum.nl. This survey is carried out at least six weeks after the last freshwater contact. Once you have had a positive antibody test, tests will always remain positive afterwards. New infections can then no longer be detected with blood tests.
At vaccinationcentrum.nl we can in some cases also conduct research into eggs in urine or faeces. This can be done at least eight weeks after fresh water contact.
Treatment of schistosomiasis
In schistosomiasis, the drug praziquantel is usually administered. This medicine works against the adult worms and has little effect in the other stages. It is therefore pointless to take this preventively or immediately after contact with fresh water, because there are no adult worms present in the body.
In areas where schistosomiasis is common, treatment with praziquantel is sometimes performed periodically to counteract morbidity. This will not prevent new infections or infections that occurred less than six weeks ago.
People who have no symptoms, but who have had frequent contact with fresh water in an area where schistosomiasis is common, are advised to have a medical examination carried out at vaccinationcentrum.nl. This advice is given to expats, for example.
QUESTIONS OR BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?
Do you have questions or do you want to book an appointment for a (blood) test or medical examination? Mail us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085 – 90 20 303.
Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands (British overseas territory)
Vaccination advice
Vaccinations protect you against infectious diseases that are prevalent in the Falkland Islands. Book an appointment for personalised travel advice at vaccinatiecentrum.nl.
The following vaccinations are recommended when travelling to the Falkland Islands:
DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) and Hepatitis A (infectious jaundice).
These vaccinations are always advised, regardless of the length of your stay in the Falkland Islands.
Schedule an appointment
Will you be travelling to the Falkland Islands soon? Don’t wait too long and book an appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl on time for your personal travel advice, including the necessary vaccinations and any travel medication. Together, we’ll make sure you’re well prepared for your trip and return healthy!
Travel safe and healthy and prepare for an internship abroad
Dit blog is gepubliceerd op 18 mei 2023
No doubt you have been looking forward to it for months, if not years: your internship abroad or “just” a faraway trip. An indispensable item on your college bucket list that you will think back on for the rest of your life. To make sure your trip will only be unforgettable in the right way, you will need to make some preparations. When it comes to your health, we will help you on your way from start to finish.
Make sure you know what preparations to make
Once you know where you are going, it is time to find out what health precautions you need to take. What diseases are prevalent in the country you are travelling to? How can you best protect yourself against them? Does the company where you will be doing your internship or the country itself have certain requirements that you have to meet? When you map this out well in advance, you know where you stand and you can make the necessary preparations on time.
Do you need to undergo a medical examination?
When you go abroad for an internship, the company where you will do your internship may require you to undergo a medical examination. Sometimes you will have to do this again when you travel back home. A medical examination may include measuring your height, weight and blood pressure, a urine test, checking for visible physical abnormalities and discussing your travel plans. If, for instance, you plan to go diving, mountain climbing or any other extreme sport, this will also be discussed during the medical examination. When you undergo this examination at vaccinatiecentrum.nl, you will of course receive the necessary travel certificates afterwards.
What travel vaccinations do you need?
Travel vaccinations are recommended and not compulsory in most cases, except for the yellow fever vaccine. For a number of countries, having this vaccination is a prerequisite for entering the country. In this case, the vaccination must have been administered at least 10 days before arrival. For many of the recommended travel vaccines, it takes several days before you are optimally protected or you may need multiple vaccinations with a certain time between shots. For this reason, we recommend making an appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl well before departure for personalised travel advice.
Do you need to take medicines with you when travelling?
If you are already taking medicines prescribed by a doctor, you may need to bring a medicine declaration. This is mandatory for all medicines covered by the Opium Act. These include sleep medication and sedatives, heavy painkillers and ADHD medication (Ritalin, Concerta, etc). In some cases, you will also need certain papers for medicines not covered by the Opium Act. The embassy or consulate of the country you are travelling to can best inform you about this.
Besides the medication you already take yourself, you may sometimes need additional medication while travelling. In some cases, for instance, it is advisable to take malaria pills with you. If your personal travel advice states that you need this, vaccinatiecentrum.nl will provide the prescription.
Know what to expect during your trip
By being well prepared, you have already reduced your chances of getting sick by a lot. However, it may still happen that you become ill or need help for some other medical reason, such as being injured. It is therefore wise to check in advance whether adequate medical help is available in the country you are travelling to and to what extent this help is covered by your health insurance. This is also a good time to check whether your current travel insurance offers the right cover (or to take out travel insurance at all, if you don’t already have it).
If the availability of medical help cannot be guaranteed during your trip, it may be wise to take extra vaccinations. For example, consider a rabies vaccination if you are doing an internship that involves working with animals or if you will be going on long bicycle rides or visiting remote areas during your trip. During your appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl, you will map out the risks of your trip together with a travel nurse and, based on this, you can decide whether you want to be vaccinated against certain diseases.
Enjoy your trip and return home safely!
The most important thing is that you experience the trip of a lifetime and enjoy your time abroad. Once you have made the health preparations, you can get back to other preparations, such as finding fun things to do during your trip and packing your bags. With vaccinatiecentrum.nl’s personalised travel advice and all the appropriate precautions, you can travel safe and sound.
Do you have a kick-ass internship abroad or faraway trip on your mind? We would be happy to help you on your way. You can book an appointment via our website or by calling us on 085 90 20 303.
MRSA
What is MRSA?
MRSA is a bacterium (staphylococcus aureus) that is resistant to methicillin and related types of antibiotics. This means that the bacteria are impervious to a large group of antibiotics, making it difficult to treat. MRSA is a skin bacterium found in many people but generally does not cause any symptoms. In people who carry the bacteria, it is usually on the skin or in the nose. In some cases, the bacteria can cause an infection and in rare cases can lead to blood poisoning, a bone infection or pneumonia.
In most cases, people do not realise they are carrying the bacteria and the body gets rid of the bacteria on its own. Treatment against MRSA is possible with antibiotics. This requires laboratory tests to determine which antibiotics the bacterium is not yet resistant to. These antibiotics can then be used to treat the person against MRSA.
How do you get MRSA and in which countries is it common?
MRSA is transmitted mainly via direct skin contact, for example through the hands. The bacteria can also become airborne through sneezing or dander. In this case, inhaling the bacteria can also lead to infection, although this is rare. MRSA is almost non-existent in the Netherlands. In other countries, the bacterium is much more common and regularly causes outbreaks in hospitals and other healthcare institutions. MRSA also occurs in pigs and calves in the Netherlands. People who frequently come into direct contact with pigs and calves are often carriers of the bacterium themselves.
What can you do to prevent MRSA?
You can prevent an MRSA infection by maintaining proper hygiene. This includes washing your hands before eating and after every visit to the toilet. In hospitals and other healthcare facilities, patients with MRSA are treated and nursed separately to prevent spreading. If you are at a high probability of being an MRSA carrier, you will be tested for MRSA when you are admitted to hospital. This applies to people who have recently been to a foreign hospital, people who regularly come into contact with pigs, veal calves or broilers because of their profession, and people who live on a farm where these animals are kept.
Can I get tested for MRSA?
You can get tested for MRSA. MRSA testing is done via a nose/throat culture. The sample is sent to the lab and you will receive the results after five business days.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
Do you have any questions or would you like to book an appointment for an MRSA test? Please send us an email at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085 – 90 20 303.
Internship in Suriname
Dit blog is gepubliceerd op 30 maart 2023
Our intern Nina is studying at HAN university of applied sciences to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing. For her minor, she travelled to Suriname to do an internship at the Academic Hospital of Paramaribo.
Nina says: “while studying nursing, I travelled to Suriname for my minor. I had never been outside Europe before! When I heard that HAN university of applied sciences offered this opportunity, I was immediately hooked. The combination of studying and travelling really appealed to me.”
Which vaccinations do you need?
Nina got several vaccinations before her trip: “For the vaccinations, I went to vaccinatiecentrum.nl in Nijmegen. I was given good advice on how to stay healthy during my trip and information on the vaccinations that were recommended. In the end, I chose to take vaccinations against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio), hepatitis A and rabies. I already had the vaccination against Hepatitis B. After I got the required vaccinations, the excitement began to rise because I was now ready to go!”
The aim of vaccinatiecentrum.nl is to ensure that you run as little risk as possible of health problems during your internship abroad. We do this by providing vaccinations and giving advice on preventive measures you can take to avoid health problems during your trip. That is why we always provide personal vaccination advice, tailored to your personal circumstances and wishes.
My internship in Suriname
Nina says: “in April, the time to start my journey had come, I was going to Suriname for 3 months. After a 9-hour flight, we arrived in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. The first thing I had to get used to was the tropical temperature. I stayed with other students in a student house. My internship was at the Academic Hospital of Paramaribo where I worked in the surgery department, gynaecology/ maternity ward and in the delivery rooms. It was special to see how healthcare was organised in Suriname. Many materials were in short supply. Also, the staff received a salary of less than 200 euros a month! Despite this, people were all very positive and welcoming. What I found very special was being allowed to watch deliveries in the delivery rooms!
On weekends, I had time off from my internship and we went to explore the country. During that time, I did several cool trips. We went into the jungle a lot to spot animals. Here I saw and even held snakes and tarantulas!
What has stayed with me the most is Kumalu. This is a village far inland. We first had to drive by bus for 4 hours on mud roads, before arriving at Atjoni. Here the roads stopped and you could only go further inland by korjaal (a small boat). With the guides and other students in a korjaal, we had to travel another 4 hours to arrive at Kumalu. Kumalu is in the middle of the jungle, in the centre of Suriname. We stayed 2 nights and got to know the ancient tribes living here. These were people who had once been brought from Africa to Suriname as slaves and were still living here today. It was special to see how primitive these people still live. Cleaning fish and bathing yourself all happened in the river. The people we met in Kumalu lived with their entire families in small huts.
I also went to the Fredberg. Climbing this mountain is a must if you go to Suriname. It was a climb of about 2 hours to get to the top of the mountain. Once on the mountain, you had a great view of the jungle of Suriname. This was truly a beautiful sight! The view during sunrise or sunset is something I won’t soon forget.
I really liked the Surinamese culture, the people are happy with what they have, and have a relaxed and friendly attitude. In addition, the food was also fantastic! Suriname has a good inspection service, which checks the quality of the food being sold. In addition, the Public Health Bureau monitors hygiene in restaurants. We cooked for ourselves most of the time, but also often went to eat roti or Surinamese noodles at a small restaurant on weekends. Whether you can drink the tap water depends a lot on where you are. In our student house, you could drink the water from the tap, in the beginning I was a bit nervous about doing this, but fortunately I didn’t get sick. In the hospital, you couldn’t drink this water and we took bottles of water ourselves.
In short, doing an internship in Suriname is an exceptional experience. The locals are very hospitable, the weather is nice and because most people there speak Dutch it makes you feel right at home.”
Shingles awareness
Dit blog is gepubliceerd op 26 februari 2023
Shingles awareness week
Everyone has probably heard about shingles, but few people know exactly what kind of disease it is and how to recognise shingles. Shingles is a severe disease, according to the Dutch Health Council (GR).
For the first time in the Netherlands, a Shingles Awareness Week will be organised from 27 February to 5 March 2023. By Samenwerkingsverband Pijnpatiënten naar één stem, International Federation on Aging (IFA), the GGD platform and GSK, awareness will be raised about shingles. The aim is to create more awareness with the following media campaign; Shingles has many faces. One in four people will have a story of their own. Share your story (at www.aandachtvoorgordelroos.nl).
In the Netherlands but also in surrounding countries, awareness is raised about the symptoms and the impact that shingles can have on a person’s life.
Because the immune system weakens as a person ages, the risk of getting shingles increases at older age. The virus that causes shingles can suddenly become active again. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can get it. People usually recover from shingles on their own. Nevertheless, shingles can be very painful and sometimes cause nerve pain that can persist for a long time. This pain can last for months or in some cases years in the form of burning pain or tingling, or hypersensitivity to touch, heat or cold.
www.aandachtvoorgordelroos.nl provides more information about shingles and allows everyone to share their own stories. By sharing stories, shingles becomes relatable to everyone and different experiences and information can be shared.
Prevention of Shingles
A vaccine that helps prevent shingles and nerve pain after shingles is available for people aged 50 and over. This vaccine, called Shingrix, is specifically designed for people who have had chickenpox before. The vaccine contains proteins from the surface of the virus that causes shingles. The vaccine also contains a number of substances that boost the immune system’s response to the virus.
Because the body is able to produce antibodies against the virus more quickly after the vaccination, the risk of developing shingles is significantly reduced. Clinical trials showed Shingrix to be 90% effective in preventing shingles in people over 50 years old. In many countries, Shingrix is widely given to elderly people aged 60+, there have been very good results with this vaccine.
Vaccination reimbursement
If you meet a number of (strict) criteria, a shingles vaccination is covered by basic health insurance. Check with your health insurance company whether the vaccination is (partially) covered.
For more information on vaccination costs, please visit our rates page.
Would you like to book an appointment for a vaccination right away? Call 085 902 03 03.
Leptospirosis
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by leptospires. This is a generic term for several syndromes caused by different bacteria of the leptospira family. Well-known syndromes are Weil’s disease, Mud fever and milk fever. The disease leptospirosis is characterised by flu-like symptoms. Symptoms may include sudden (severe) headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, hypersensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, it can lead to disruption of kidney and liver functions or meningitis (inflammation of the brain). Weil’s disease can be fatal if treatment is not started in time.
How do you get leptospirosis?
There are a number of varieties of leptospira bacteria, each with its own host. The best-known hosts are mice and rats, but cattle can also carry leptospires. The leptospires enter the environment through urine. You can get infected by splashing cattle urine in the milking barn, consuming raw milk or swimming in outdoor water where rats live. The bacteria thrive in lukewarm, stagnant or slow-flowing water. Leptospirosis occurs worldwide. In the Netherlands, infections are most common in summer through swimming in contaminated outdoor water. Travellers can contract leptospirosis during holidays in the (sub)tropics.
What can you do to prevent Leptospirosis?
Surface water contaminated by rat urine is the main risk factor for humans. Therefore, avoid swimming in lukewarm, stagnant water. Also avoid consuming raw milk. Rat catchers and agricultural workers working around the banks of canals should take proper hygiene measures and wear protective clothing. You can also get vaccinated against leptospirosis. The vaccine registered in the Netherlands is called Spirolept.
What protection does the Leptospirosis vaccination offer?
The vaccination against Leptospirosis consists of a series of three Spirolept vaccinations in total. The first two vaccinaties have an interval of two weeks, the third vaccination follows after 4-6 months. If necessary, a booster dose could be given every 2 years.
How much will a Leptospirosis vaccination cost?
The cost of a leptospirosis vaccination is in some cases covered by your health insurance. Check with your health insurance company whether the vaccination is (partially) covered. For more information on costs, please visit our prices page.
Any questions or want to book an appointment?
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Travelers Diarrhea
What is travelers diarrhea?
Travelers diarrhea is a sudden water-thin stool often accompanied by abdominal cramps and in some cases vomiting and fever. Travelers diarrhea can cause a person to dehydrate quickly, which can become dangerous fast, especially for children. If a child has a fever or suffers from diarrhoea or vomiting for more than a day, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Travelers diarrhea generally passes on its own. To compensate for the fluids a person loses, it is important to drink well. In addition, a salt-sugar solution such as ORS can help retain fluids. If the watery diarrhoea is bothersome, a stopping agent (loperamide) can be used for up to three days.
How do you get travelers diarrhea?
Travelers diarrhea is caused by bacteria that enter the body through contaminated food and drink. About a third of travellers to (sub)tropical regions suffer from travelers diarrhea at some point during their trip.
What can you do to prevent travelers diarrhea?
Completely preventing travelers diarrhea is almost impossible. To reduce the risk of travelers diarrhea, you can take the following precautions:
- Use bottled water and do not use tap water.
- Only drink from factory-sealed bottles or cans you open yourself or that are opened in your presence and do not use ice cubes. Drink only hot drinks made from boiled water such as tea or coffee.
- Eat only fried or cooked food and preferably do not eat raw vegetables or salads. If you eat fruit, wash or peel it yourself. If lettuce or fruit is washed in contaminated water, this can also cause diarrhea.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and do not use the towel hanging in a restaurant. Let your hands dry in the air.
Any questions or want to book an appointment?
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.