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| I'm going to Kenya soon. Should I be concerned about the side effects of any of the vaccinations I'm supposed to have before the trip?
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For a journey like that, you're going to have to pay—in the arm—for your great escape. According to Michael Rendel, M.D., a New York City-based infectious disease and travel medicine specialist, whether you are heading to cities or rural areas in East Africa, you should protect yourself. You'll need to be vaccinated for yellow fever, polio, tetanus and diphtheria, hepatitis A, and typhoid before your trip. (However, if you're pregnant or your immune system is compromised, Dr. Rendel warns that you should talk to your doctor about any risk factors associated with having the vaccinations.) "Occasionally, yellow fever vaccinations cause flulike symptoms, including fever, chills, body aches, and headaches," says Dr. Rendel. "These side effects usually show up within 48 hours or so. The other vaccinations may make you feel as if you've been punched in the arm around the site of the injections." He also recommends taking antimalaria pills (mefloquine; brand names Lariam and Mephaquine) during your trip as well as for several weeks before and after. "The most common side effect of this drug is nightmares," he warns. "No one on psychiatric medication or with a history of seizures or heart problems should take it." Mefloquine has also been associated with birth defects, so women should not take it if they are pregnant or trying to conceive. Be sure to talk with a doctor about your medical history before visiting any foreign country or getting any vaccinations.
- Rachel Christmas Derrick
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