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Travel Vaccines
Alcohol Awareness
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April 2014
VACCINES HELP PROTECT TRAVELERS

Vaccines are one of the most important tools you have for preventing certain diseases. If you plan to travel to other countries (except for Canada or those in Western Europe), it is important to get vaccinated. Some diseases that are not common in the U.S. still exist in other parts of the world.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you review your vaccination history and make plans to have any needed vaccines before you travel.

 

The best plan is to schedule a visit to be immunized 4 to 6 weeks before your trip. Most vaccines take time to give protection, and some vaccines must be given in a series that can take several days or weeks.

 

The Foxhall Internists Immunization Clinic specializes in routine and travel vaccinations. If you have questions about vaccinations you may need, or wish to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated, please call (202) 362.4467.

 

ALCOHOL AWARENESS 

You may have heard that regular light to moderate drinking can be good for the heart. With heavy or at-risk drinking, however, any potential benefits are outweighed by greater risks, including

 

Injuries. Drinking too much increases your chances of being injured or even killed. Alcohol is a factor, for example, in about 60% of fatal burn injuries, drownings, and homicides; 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults; and 40% of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and fatal falls.

 

Health problems. Heavy drinkers have a greater risk of liver disease, heart disease, sleep disorders, depression, stroke, bleeding from the stomach, sexually transmitted infections from unsafe sex, and several types of cancer. They may have problems managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions.

 

Birth defects. Drinking during pregnancy can cause brain damage and other serious problems in the baby. Because it is not yet known whether any amount of alcohol is safe for a developing baby, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not drink.

 

Alcohol use disorders. Generally known as alcoholism and alcohol abuse, alcohol use disorders are medical conditions that doctors can diagnose when a patient's drinking causes distress or harm. In the United States, about 18 million people have an alcohol use disorder.

 

Beyond these physical and mental health risks, frequent heavy drinking also is linked with personal problems, including losing a driver's license and having relationship troubles.

 

If you have questions about your drinking habits and how they may affect your health, please speak to your healthcare provider. You can also find useful information from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Rethinking Drinking website.