These are our medical recommendations
for a trip to Indonesia. For further information please ask your travel
health specialist or contact mediScon.
Before the trip
Immunizations
Risk areas: risk in all areas of Irian Jaya (the western half of the island of New Guinea) and at the temple complex of Borobudur; Risk in rural areas only in other islands; No risk in the cities of Java and Sumatra or in the main resort areas of Java and Bali.
Transmission Period: January to December
Regulation of HIV tests: some countries require an HIV test for long stays, particularly for immigrants, students or workers. These regulations change frequently; contact the appropriate consulate for current information.
AIDS-infected patients should consider not travelling to underdeveloped countries, where the risk of infection is higher and adequate medical care may not be available.
To take along
Drugs: drugs used at home, sterile dressings and disinfectant, an antipyretic, possibly an antimotility agent and an antibiotic (for diarrhea). For other consult your family physician or pharmacist.
Condoms: for safe sexual encounters.
Travel insurance: verify your insurance coverage with your insurance agent.
During the trip
Malaria
If indicated, take regular doses of the drug prescribed for prevention of malaria.
If signs of malaria appear (flu-like symptoms, fever headache, joint pain, …) seek medical attention within 24 hours! If this is not possible, assume you have malaria and take the “presumptive self-treatment”, if recommended, at the prescribed dosage.
Measures to avoid mosquito bites
For protection in the daytime (risk of dengue), apply an insect repellent to exposed skin.
For protection at night (risk of malaria) apply an insect repellent to exposed skin. When outdoors at night, wear clothing with long pants and sleeves.
Food
Water: drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled or treated (with a filter or chemical agent), no ice cubes.
Basic rule: food should be well cooked.
Fruits and vegetables: wash, dry and peel them yourself.
Beware: raw salad, cold cuts, raw or slightly cooked/grilled seafood, mayonnaise, ice cream, cream or butter, etc.
Handwashing: do not use soiled towel to dry hands.
Sun
Do not go out in the sun from 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM, wear a hat and sunglasses, and apply a sunscreen to the skin.
Sex
Unprotected sexual encounters can transmit AIDS, hepatitis B, …
If fever, diarrhea, or other symptoms develop, seek medical attention and mention to your trip.
Malaria: Malaria prophylaxis should be continued for 1-4 weeks, depending upon the medication, after returning from a trip.
If signs of malaria develop (flu-like symptoms), seek medical attention immediately and mention your trip.
Before the trip
Immunizations
-
Not recommended but required under certain conditions
- Yellow Fever: immunization required if travelling from an endemic zone and >1 year of age
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever, Poliomyelitis
- Measles: not necessary for Americans born before 1957 or those who
had measles or received 2 live-virus immunizations
Recommended for special circumstances - Hepatitis B
- Jap. Encephalitis: probably year-round risk; varies by island; peak risks associated with rainfall, rice cultivation, and presence of pigs; peak periods of risk months are November to March and in some years June to July; human cases recognized on Bali and Java, possibly in Lombok
- Rabies: canine rabies highly endemic
- Hepatitis A: no vaccination if you have had the disease
- Cholera: vaccination in not recommended (very low risk)
Recommended for everyone
Comments
Risk areas: risk in all areas of Irian Jaya (the western half of the island of New Guinea) and at the temple complex of Borobudur; Risk in rural areas only in other islands; No risk in the cities of Java and Sumatra or in the main resort areas of Java and Bali.
Transmission Period: January to December
-
Medication:
- Risk areas: before departure begin taking regular doses of chloroquin. When to start and how to take (dosage and duration) depend on the antimalarial medication prescribed.
- Risk areas: plan on carrying atovaquone-proguanil for traveller who elect NOT to take or are unable to take appropriate chemoprophylaxis. Before departure talk to your physician on how to handle this medication in case of Self-Treatment.
Regulation of HIV tests: some countries require an HIV test for long stays, particularly for immigrants, students or workers. These regulations change frequently; contact the appropriate consulate for current information.
AIDS-infected patients should consider not travelling to underdeveloped countries, where the risk of infection is higher and adequate medical care may not be available.
To take along
Drugs: drugs used at home, sterile dressings and disinfectant, an antipyretic, possibly an antimotility agent and an antibiotic (for diarrhea). For other consult your family physician or pharmacist.
Condoms: for safe sexual encounters.
Travel insurance: verify your insurance coverage with your insurance agent.
During the trip
Malaria
If indicated, take regular doses of the drug prescribed for prevention of malaria.
If signs of malaria appear (flu-like symptoms, fever headache, joint pain, …) seek medical attention within 24 hours! If this is not possible, assume you have malaria and take the “presumptive self-treatment”, if recommended, at the prescribed dosage.
Measures to avoid mosquito bites
For protection in the daytime (risk of dengue), apply an insect repellent to exposed skin.
For protection at night (risk of malaria) apply an insect repellent to exposed skin. When outdoors at night, wear clothing with long pants and sleeves.
Food
Water: drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled or treated (with a filter or chemical agent), no ice cubes.
Basic rule: food should be well cooked.
Fruits and vegetables: wash, dry and peel them yourself.
Beware: raw salad, cold cuts, raw or slightly cooked/grilled seafood, mayonnaise, ice cream, cream or butter, etc.
Handwashing: do not use soiled towel to dry hands.
Sun
Do not go out in the sun from 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM, wear a hat and sunglasses, and apply a sunscreen to the skin.
Sex
Unprotected sexual encounters can transmit AIDS, hepatitis B, …
-
Some rules
- Do not walk barefoot (risk of infection).
- No acupuncture or tattooing
- Do not have ears or other areas pierced
- Do not swim or wade in fresh water (risk of schistosomiasis)
If fever, diarrhea, or other symptoms develop, seek medical attention and mention to your trip.
Malaria: Malaria prophylaxis should be continued for 1-4 weeks, depending upon the medication, after returning from a trip.
If signs of malaria develop (flu-like symptoms), seek medical attention immediately and mention your trip.
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