When traveling to the U.K. or anywhere in Europe, it is highly recommended by health care professionals, the government, and me to get your Measles Mumps and Rubella shot (MMR), your HIV A and B shots, Meningitis, and any booster shots (such as tetanus, chicken pox, etc.)
The reasoning is thus: Although in the U.S. MMR has more or less been eliminated as a threat from our culture, there are still a profuse number of severe cases of MMR in Europe, Asia, and Africa each year. Since the U.K. is so closely linked to the European mainland, and the European mainland is so closely linked with Africa and Asia, outbreaks of MMR become more probable.
HIV A and B infections are also much more rampant in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and so the chance of exposure to these viruses is much higher than in the --more-- isolated United States. Just a note: the HIV A and B shots must be taken in a series. In the case of HIV B, the doses in the series must be at least 6 months apart. So, it's best to get started on your shots as soon as possible!
You want to get the Meningitis vaccine if you're going to college period. It likes crowds of people and tight living conditions. It likes to run rampant in dormitories, especially. It's very important to be vaccinated. Meningitis inflames the membranes around the spinal chord, and in the brain. Meningitis itself also has nasty side effects, and has a relatively high mortality rate compared with the other diseases if left untreated. And plus, who wants to be sick with an inflamed spinal chord when there's so much to see?!
The Tetanus and chicken pox vaccines are just a good "what if" measure.
Like I always say, better safe than sorry! Especially with one's health.
Well, all for now. Still in Idaho.
29 days to go!
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