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
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia):
Risk, Prevention and Vaccination
Schistosomiasis, formerly also known as bilharzia, is a parasitic worm infection found in parts of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, China, the Philippines and Southeast Asia. There is currently no vaccine available against schistosomiasis. The only way to prevent the disease is to avoid contaminated freshwater. Therefore, do not swim or paddle in freshwater.
What is schistosomiasis?
Schistosomiasis is an infection caused by worms that live in freshwater. The larvae of these worms are extremely small and develop in freshwater snails. They are then released into the water in large numbers, where they can come into contact with humans. The larvae attach to the skin and can penetrate it. This may sometimes cause itching or a skin rash. Through the bloodstream, the larvae travel to other parts of the body, usually the intestinal wall or bladder wall. There, the larvae settle and lay eggs.
A few weeks after infection, when the larvae begin to settle in the body, you may experience fever, muscle pain, skin rash, shortness of breath and an irritating cough. When the larvae start laying eggs, they can trigger an inflammatory reaction in the intestinal wall or bladder wall. This may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, blood in the urine or diarrhoea (sometimes with blood).
Most people do not develop symptoms from schistosomiasis. People who do develop symptoms, it can sometimes take months or even years before they appear.
In which countries does schistosomiasis occur?
Schistosomiasis occurs in tropical and subtropical countries. You can become infected in various parts of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, China, the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Travellers to countries such as Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela, Cambodia and Laos have an increased risk.
High-risk areas
In some areas, the risk of schistosomiasis is particularly high:
- Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Lake Malawi
- Egypt, the Nile Valley
- Brazil
- Southeast Asia, especially the Mekong River basin
Would you like to know the risks for your travel destination? Then visit our country page.
What are the symptoms of schistosomiasis?
The symptoms of schistosomiasis vary depending on the stage of the infection. Shortly after swimming in contaminated water, you may experience itching and a skin rash. Two to six weeks after infection, the following symptoms may occur:
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Shortness of breath
- Irritating cough
In the later stage of the infection, when the worms begin laying eggs, you may experience:
- Abdominal complaints
- Blood in the urine
- Diarrhoea
- Liver problems
Is there a vaccine against schistosomiasis?
Currently there is no vaccine available against schistosomiasis. Infection also cannot be prevented by taking medication before or after exposure. If you are offered medication locally, for example by diving schools, you should therefore not take it without proper medical advice. The only way to prevent the disease is to avoid contact with contaminated freshwater.
Are you concerned that you may have been infected? At least six weeks after your last contact with freshwater, you can ask for a blood test for schistosomiasis.
How can you prevent schistosomiasis while travelling?
The only way to prevent schistosomiasis is to avoid contact with contaminated freshwater. Therefore, do not swim or paddle in freshwater. If you do come into contact with freshwater, dry yourself quickly and thoroughly. Do not allow the water to dry on your skin.
In areas where schistosomiasis occurs, check where the shower water comes from. Sometimes it is taken directly from lakes or rivers. In that case, it is advisable to avoid the shower water as well. Also make sure you only drink safe water.
Swimming in the sea or in chlorinated swimming pools is safe.
When is travel advice or vaccination advice needed?
Are you travelling to a country where schistosomiasis occurs? During your appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl, you will always receive personalised travel advice. The travel nurse will inform you about the risks at your destination and provide tips to help you travel safely and return home safely.
Frequently asked questions about schistosomiasis
Yes, schistosomiasis occurs in Egypt, for example in the Nile Valley. Therefore, avoid contact with freshwater.
Symptoms of schistosomiasis usually appear after a few weeks, or you may not notice anything at all. In some cases, symptoms may only develop months or even years later.
Schistosomiasis can sometimes lead to a very serious infection. Take this risk seriously and follow the preventive measures.
Schistosomiasis is spread through the larvae of worms found in freshwater. The disease cannot be transmitted directly from person to person.
There is currently no effective treatment available for schistosomiasis. The medication that was previously used is no longer being manufactured and alternatives are being sought. Therefore, it is important to avoid contact with potentially contaminated freshwater as much as possible.
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.
Altitude sickness
WHAT IS ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Altitude sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen and typically occurs above 2,500 meters. The condition can develop in either a mild or severe form. In mild altitude sickness, symptoms such as shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea may occur. This mild form can progress to severe altitude sickness, where headaches and shortness of breath worsen and occur even at rest, particularly at night. In this case, a person will begin to feel and act increasingly sluggish, and may eventually lose consciousness. If someone in this condition does not descend immediately and receive medical help, it can lead to coma and death.
HOW DO YOU GET ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
The oxygen level in the air is lower at high altitudes than at sea level. The body needs time to adjust to this condition. If someone ascends too quickly to a high altitude without giving the body time to acclimatize, it can lead to altitude sickness. This results in a lack of oxygen in the blood, causing the previously mentioned symptoms. How susceptible someone is to altitude sickness varies from person to person. If someone has experienced altitude sickness before, the chances of it occurring again are higher.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
To prevent altitude sickness, it’s important to follow these guidelines:
• Ascend slowly to altitudes above 2,500 meters.
• Do not sleep more than 500 meters higher than the previous night at altitudes up to 4,000 meters. Above 4,000 meters, do not sleep more than 300 meters higher than the night before. During the day, you can climb more than 500 meters as long as you descend to a level no more than 300 to 500 meters higher than the previous night (climb high, sleep low).
• Drink enough water.
• Allow sufficient time in your travel schedule to acclimatize, and try to avoid strenuous efforts during the first few days. Also, ensure you have enough rest days and the option for extra rest days if symptoms develop.
• Avoid alcohol or sleeping pills.
• If you have previously experienced altitude sickness or are at high risk, medication for altitude sickness (acetazolamide) may be prescribed. This medication helps with acclimatization and can also be used as a treatment for altitude sickness symptoms.
• Don’t forget that the airport you arrive at might be at an altitude higher than 2,500 meters. Altitude sickness can occur even upon arrival. In such cases, try to sleep at a location below 2,500 meters.
You can also take medication for altitude sickness. This medication can be taken once you start experiencing symptoms, or they can be used preventively. This is recommended if you are traveling to high altitudes and know you are prone to altitude sickness. During your consultation at vaccinatiecentrum.nl, you can discuss your travel plans with one of our nurses, and together you can determine if you need altitude sickness medication for your trip. We will arrange the prescription for you right away.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS MEDICATIONS?
In less than one percent of cases, side effects occur when using acetazolamide. Consult your pharmacy for more information about these side effects.
WHAT DO ALTITUDE SICKNESS MEDICATIONS COST?
If you have supplementary insurance, the cost of altitude sickness medication may be reimbursed by your health insurance. If the medication are not reimbursed by you health insurance, you will need to pay for them yourself at the pharmacy.
In addition to the cost of the medication, we charge a fee for issuing the prescription. For more information about these costs, please visit our price list.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I EXPERIENCE ALTITUDE SICKNESS SYMPTOMS?
If you experience symptoms of mild altitude sickness, it is important not to ascend further until the symptoms have disappeared. Descend if the symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they worsen. In the case of severe altitude sickness symptoms, it is crucial to descend immediately and seek medical help if necessary.
It can sometimes be difficult to recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness in yourself and to assess their severity. For this reason, it is important to pay close attention to your travel companions.
QUESTIONS OR WANT TO book AN APPOINTMENT?
If you have questions about altitude sickness or would like to book an appointment for personalized travel advice, use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl, or call 085 – 90 20 303.