Vaccines and Health
Get vaccines and other medicines.
CDC recommends the following vaccines and medicines for all travelers to China
•Routine vaccinations, such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), polio, seasonal influenza, and varicella
•Hepatitis A vaccine
•Hepatitis B vaccine
•Typhoid vaccine, especially if you will be traveling outside major cities or visiting friends and relatives
•Rabies vaccine, if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors or have contact with animals
•Japanese Encephalitis (JE), if you will be in China more than 30 days or are planning to spend a lot of time outdoors in rural areas
•Malaria prevention medicine, if you are traveling to a part of China
Pack a health kit
Pack health and safety items that you may need on your trip. See Travelers’ Health Kit or Pack Smart on the Travelers’ Health website for a complete list of items CDC recommends.
Prepare for an emergency
•Register with your Embassy or Consulate in China
•Make extra copies of your passport and travel documents that you can leave with a family member or friend, as well as details of your travel plans and how to contact you.
•Make a plan for what to do if you get sick during your trip, including where to go for medical care if you need it. Learn more by visiting Illness and Injury Abroad and Medical Information for Americans Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
•Check your health insurance plan to see if it will cover your expenses in case you need medical care abroad.
◦Think about purchasing additional health insurance for your trip if your health insurance does not cover you while you are traveling.
◦Be prepared to pay out-of-pocket at the time you receive any medical services while traveling, even if you do have insurance.
Gather Important Contact Information
Before you leave, write down contact information (phone numbers and addresses) of services you may need such as consulates at your destination
During your trip
Stay healthy
•Wash your hands with soap and water before you eat, after you cough or sneeze, and after you go to the bathroom. If you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).
•Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
•Follow safe food and water practices.
◦Do not eat food purchased from street vendors.
◦Eat foods that are fully cooked and served hot.
◦Eat only fruits and vegetables that you can wash and peel yourself.
◦Eat and drink only dairy products that have been pasteurized.
◦Drink beverages that have been bottled and sealed (water, carbonated drinks, or sports drinks).
◦Do not put ice in drinks.
•When outdoors, use insect repellent on exposed skin.
◦Look for a repellent that contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535. Always follow the instructions on the label when you use the repellent.
◦In general, repellents protect longer against mosquito bites when they have a higher concentration (%) of any of these active ingredients. However, concentrations above 50% do not offer a distinct increase in protection time. Products with less than 10% of an active ingredient may offer only limited protection, often only 1–2 hours.
◦The American Academy
•Drink plenty of water and eat regularly to avoid dehydration.
•Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to prevent sunburn, and wear sunglasses with UV protection to prevent sun damage to your eyes.
•Avoid touching or petting animals, especially birds and dogs. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while you are traveling, seek immediate medical care.
•Swim only in chlorinated water.
•Limit alcohol, and do not accept drinks from people you don’t know or leave drinks unattended.
•To help protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, use condoms when engaging in any kind sexual activity.
•Do not use illegal drugs
•Do not share needles or other devices that can puncture the skin.
Stay safe
Avoid injuries
•Follow local laws and customs and World Expo security regulations.
•Don’t drink and drive.
•Wear a helmet when you ride a bike or motorcycle.
•Wear a seatbelt.
•Be careful when participating in recreational activities, including swimming.
•Be careful crossing the street.
•Avoid political protests and rallies.
Avoid being a victim of crime
•Don’t travel alone
•Don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry large amounts of money.
•Keep luggage, cameras, and other valuables near you at all times
•Make a photocopy of your passport for each piece of luggage and to carry with you at all times.
•Develop plans for where to meet if you become separated from your traveling companions.
Know how to access emergency services
If you get sick or need emergency services while in China
•Services to Overseas Americans: American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS)
•Locate a Medical Facility: Medical Assistance to Americans Abroad
•Medical Emergencies: Emergency Assistance to American Citizens Abroad
After You Come Home
•Pay very close attention to how you feel for at least 10 days after you get home.
•Go to the doctor if you feel sick, especially if you have a fever. Be sure to tell the doctor that you have traveled to China
•Go to the doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while you were traveling.
•If you have been in a malaria risk area, be aware of signs of malaria. This disease can develop up to 1 year after travel.
•Get tested for schistosomiasis if you have been in fresh water, and get treatment if you need it.
Additional Information
•CDC Travelers’ Health: China
•CDC Health Information for International Travel 2010: Problems with heat and cold
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