What vaccinations will I need for Cambodia?

Cambodia is a country steeped in amazing history and gorgeous scenery, however, there are certain health risks to those who choose to travel there.

Prior to setting off to explore this amazing country, travellers should make sure they are properly vaccinated against any infections or diseases that have the potential to ruin their trip.

There are three different vaccinations that medical professionals strongly recommend for visitors to Cambodia to get. Find out more about these vaccinations below.

Tetanus Vaccination

One of the main characteristics of tetanus is severe and painful muscular contractions. These contractions occur particularly in the jaw and are one of the reasons that tetanus has become known as “lock jaw”. The bacteria that causes tetanus enters the body through deep wounds or cuts.  It then begins to attack the central nervous system. Tetanus can prove fatal in some cases so visitors to Cambodia should make the effort to protect against it. Another important thing to note about tetanus is that recovering from the disease does not prevent further attacks so patients will need active vaccination.

Hepatitis A Vaccination

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that attacks the liver and is usually contracted through exposure to contaminated water and food. It is particularly prevalent in areas where there is poor sanitation, which is the case in many areas of Cambodia. Some of the symptoms of hepatitis a include tiredness, upset stomach, muscle pain, fever and a jaundiced look to the skin and eyes. Although sufferers normally recover after a few weeks, some people can have symptoms for up to six months. If you want to make sure you don’t suffer from any of these unpleasant symptoms on your Cambodian getaway, go and get vaccinated.

Typhoid Vaccination

The cause of this infection is a bacterium called S. typhi which can be picked up by eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water. Like many other illnesses, countries without proper sanitation are at a higher risk of contracting typhoid. Fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and headaches are some of the main symptoms of typhoid. If left untreated, these symptoms can get worse with some patients developing life threatening complications.  Vaccination is the best way to prevent against catching the infection.

Other vaccinations needed for Cambodia

Travellers considering heading off the beaten track in Cambodia should also consider vaccinating themselves against some other nasty diseases.

Those planning to head trekking are advised to vaccinate themselves against hepatitis B and rabies while anyone visiting more rural areas should vaccinate themselves against diphtheria and meningococcal meningitis. These more “off-the-beaten-track” locations tend to have less sanitation and can be far removed from any medical assistance so getting the correct vaccinations is crucial.

Although Cambodia is a safe place to visit, it is also advised that travellers check the Irish government Department of Foreign Affairs website and the UK government Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice website to make sure there are currently no major issues or events occurring that could impact on their trip.