Travel Clinics of America is your best choice for receiving high-quality pre-travel care, sound travel advice, and peace of mind.
Europe – Western
Are you Traveling to Western Europe?
When you travel outside of the U.S., it’s wise to expect the unexpected. Being far away from home means there is a risk of contracting disease. The physicians at Travel Clinics of America can help you get the appropriate travel shots and teach you about diseases common at your specific destination.
Recommendations for travel
- Find a Travel Clinic
- Make sure that your routine immunizations are up to date.
- Review travel immunizations in the table below which may be recommended for you to travel to Western Europe.
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Disease |
Description |
Vaccination |
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Hepatitis A |
Hepatitis A, transmitted through contaminated food and water, is the most common vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccination against |
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Hepatitis B |
Hepatitis B, a serious viral illness, is transmitted through blood products, contaminated medical instruments |
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Measles |
Measles outbreaks have occurred in Western Europe. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that is spread through coughing and sneezing and from contaminated surfaces. Infected individuals can spread the disease to others before they have become ill. Typical symptoms include fever, rash runny nose and cough. Most measles patients fully recover, but a minority can have permanent damage to their hearing and brain function. There is no treatment for measles but there is an extremely safe and effective vaccine. While measles is uncommon in the United States because of vaccination, 10 million cases occur worldwide including in the developed world. Talk with your travel doctor before departure about measles and other routine vaccinations. |
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Tick-borne Encephalitis |
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has been reported in Europe and is a potentially serious illness that can affect the central nervous system. Mild cases can occur and not be recognized as TCE as these illnesses will appear as mild viral illnesses. Humans contract the disease after they are bitten by a tick infected with the TCE virus. Symptoms occur 1-2 weeks later and may include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. After recovery, a minority of individuals develop a more serious phase with neurological involvement including headache, stiff neck, and mental changes. Permanent damage can result. There is no vaccine available in the United States to prevent TCE and no treatment. The strategy is to take necessary precautions to avoid tick bites and to properly remove any ticks that are found attached to the skin. Grab the tick gently as close to your skin as possible with flat-tipped tweezers. Don’t crush the tick, but pull it straight out slowly. After you remove it, apply an antiseptic to the bite area and wash your hands with soap and water. A tick that is removed within 24 hours is unlikely to transmit any germs to you.
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Rabies |
Rabies has been reported in Western Europe. This disease is characteristically transmitted by the bite or scratch of rabid animals. Travelers to rural areas for extended periods of time, children, and those in close contact with animals are at a higher risk for rabies and should discuss |
Additional considerations
Key Points
Your specific itinerary dictates which additional vaccines you need to protect your health during your trip.
As soon as you know that you are traveling in Eastern Europe — whether for business or pleasure – contact Travel Clinics of America. We will make sure that you have the vaccination protection and advice you need. |
