Flu Prevention: Information for Travelers

Overview

• In the Northern Hemisphere, the influenza (flu) season can begin as early as October and can last as late as April or May.

• In the temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, flu activity typically occurs during April – September.

• In the tropics, flu activity occurs throughout the year.

• Travelers in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres can be exposed to flu when traveling in areas where flu activity is occurring.

People who have not gotten a flu vaccine

People who have not gotten a flu vaccine for the current season and are traveling to parts of the world where flu activity is ongoing should get a flu vaccine to protect themselves during their trip.

• This is particularly important for people at higher risk of flu-related complications.
• The flu vaccine used in the Northern Hemisphere can be different from the one used in the Southern Hemisphere. But the Northern Hemisphere vaccine can provide some protection against the main viruses that are circulating in other parts of the world.

People should get vaccinated

People should get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before travel because it takes time about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that provide protection against flu illness.

• No information is available about the benefits of getting revaccinated before summer travel for those people who already were vaccinated during the preceding fall, so revaccination is not recommended.

• Keep in mind that flu vaccine manufactured for the upcoming or current season usually expires the following June. After June, flu vaccines are usually not available in the United States until flu vaccine for the next season is produced and made available in the late summer and fall.

• Also, even if you receive the previous season's vaccine before travel during the summer months, you should still receive a new flu vaccine that coming fall or winter.

More Information for Travelers

• If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, do not travel. Stay home and away from others. You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and

• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).*

• After these two criteria are met, there are some additional precautions that can be taken to protect others from respiratory illness. More information is available at About Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You're Sick.

Flu signs and symptoms include:

• fever (not everyone with flu will have a fever.)*

• cough or sore throat

• runny or stuffy nose

• muscle or body aches

• headache

• fatigue

• some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Travel Preparation

Investigate current flu activity in your region of travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide frequently updated information on seasonal flu activity throughout the world.

Travel Resources

During and After Your Trip

During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after coughing or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put the used tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

• Sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to further protect yourself and others.

What to do if you feel sick

Most people with flu will recover without needing medical care. However, if you have severe illness or are at increased risk of getting serious flu complications, seek medical care.

A U.S. consular officer can help you find local medical care in a foreign country. To contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting, call Overseas Citizens Services at: 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. or Canada, 00-1-202-501-4444 if calling from other countries. You can also visit the websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions to find the contact information for the local U.S. Embassy of the country you are visiting.

Follow all local health recommendations.

Tips for After Your Trip

Closely monitor your health for 7 days. If you become ill with flu symptoms, seek medical attention if they are severe.

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider and tell them about any areas you recently traveled to.

If you need medical care abroad, Getting Health Care During Travel.