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Can Scientists Make Us Invisible to Mosquitoes?

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Making people invisible to these pests may be the next step in stopping malaria spread.

If that were the case, it would not only eliminate those pesky itchy bites, but all of the diseases transmitted to humans through mosquito bites as well. It may sound too good to be true, but scientists have actually found a way to make humans invisible to mosquitoes by using technology called Crispr-Cas9, according to The New York Times.

“Nobody has studied this before,” Neha Thakre, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego, told The New York Times. But what Thakre and other researchers found was that Crispr-Cas9, a gene-editing tool, can help to make humans invisible to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

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Some of the Strangest Tours Around the World

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Some of the strangest tours are also the most interesting.

Tours can be an integral part of our vacations. They help us learn more about the country that we are visiting. Plus, they allow us to interact with other tourists, too. Now, while there are your standard tours, where you walk or ride around an area in order to find out more about where you are staying. But these tours are something, well, totally different. When we say different, we mean these are some really out-there tours that you are going to want you having to book your next trip.

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How Long Does a Travel Vaccine Remain Effective?

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Travel vaccines vary in effectiveness depending on the length of time.

If you have a trip planned to a country that requires certain vaccinations, you may be wondering how long a travel vaccine will remain effective. The answer: it varies.

There’s no specific timeline for travel vaccines in general. Each vaccine is different, which means they will all remain effective for a different amount of time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend receiving any travel vaccine you need a month in advance. This will allow time for your vaccine to become effective. But once it’s effective, how long will it last?

Here are some common travel vaccines and the amount of time they remain effective:

Yellow Fever

While not common in the U.S., yellow fever can still be found in certain parts of the world. If you need a yellow fever vaccine, it’s important to know that it provides lifelong protection in most cases. This means the majority of people will never need to receive a booster vaccination for the disease.

Tetanus

Unlike the yellow fever vaccine, the tetanus vaccine doesn’t provide lifelong protection. Instead, it remains effective for about 10 years. Once 10 years have passed, it’s recommended that a person receives a booster shot, especially if they are a frequent traveler to parts of the world where the disease is prevalent.

Cholera

Most people don’t need to receive a cholera vaccine unless they are visiting remote places of the world where there won’t be medical care available. But if that is the case for you, a vaccine is available and it lasts up to two years. If you plan on revisiting a remote area, then it would be wise to receive a booster.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

Luckily, the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccination is routine for young children to receive in the U.S. If you received your MMR vaccine as a child, you’re typically set for life. If you were never vaccinated against MMR, you can still get the vaccine, which requires two doses. Once you receive both doses, the vaccination will provide lifelong immunity.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

The pertussis vaccination helps to protect young children from coming down with the whooping cough. While this isn’t a lifelong vaccine, it is extremely effective when you first receive it. Its effectiveness will decrease over time, but it will still protect against the disease. The vaccine gives the best protection during the first two years.

Polio

Typically the polio vaccine is given to young children, with a booster around the age of 4. In most cases, it can protect a person for life, but this isn’t always the situation. Some people are more at risk for polio than others. If you’re at risk of polio and are traveling to a region where the disease is prominent, it’s recommended that you receive a booster. Boosters can last about 10 years, at which point you can receive another booster if needed.If you choose to receive the vaccine you need a month before your trip is set to start, you should be fully protected throughout your entire trip. Most vaccines will remain effective enough for your entire vacation abroad, which means you should have nothing to worry about.

Planning a trip? Ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date with Passport Health. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by Elle Johnson. Elle is a freelance journalist and social media content creator in Florida. Not only does she enjoy working as a freelancer, but in her free time she enjoys working on fictional stories.

5 Best Mosquito-Repelling Lotions for Your Next Trip

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Mosquito repellent lotion can be a lifesaver for your next trip.

Mosquitoes are no one’s friend. Their bites leave angry red welts that are itching and downright annoying. And worse than that, they are the carriers of many diseases like malaria and dengue, as well as viruses including Chikungunya, West Nile, and Zika. No matter where you travel, it’s a good idea to pack a mosquito-repelling lotion in your bag. Here are our five favorite lotions that really do keep mosquitoes from ruining your vacation.

Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent is one of the best mosquito-repelling lotions we’ve ever tried. This completely unscented lotion comes in a 4 oz bottle — a great size for stashing into your luggage or overnight bag. The lotion uses Picaridin instead of DEET as its main repelling ingredient. When applied, it offers up to 14 hours of protection from mosquitoes and flies, and up to eight hours of protection from gnats, flies, and chiggers. This non-greasy lotion also comes in larger sizes, as well as in a spray bottle and single-use lotion packets.

3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion

Another top-selling mosquito repellent lotion is Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion from 3M. This lotion contains about 34% DEET to repel not only mosquitoes, but biting flies, chiggers, deer flies, ticks, gnats, and fleas. 3M uses a specially-designed controlled release technology to keep protection going for up to 12 hours. And because the tube is only 2 ounces, it meets TSA requirements for fitting in your carry-on luggage.

Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535® Insect Repellent Moisturizing Lotion

Why not repel mosquitoes while also moisturizing skin and protecting it from UV rays? Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535® Insect Repellent Moisturizing Lotion not only protects against a wide range of bugs, but also offers 30 SPF protection to keep sunburn away. The lotion uses insect repellent IR3535 to repel mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, sand flies, gnats, and biting midges. It comes in a non-greasy formula that helps moisturize and soothe skin. And the lotion is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Greenerways Organic 2-in-1 Natural Sunscreen Bug Repellent Lotion in One

If you like the idea of a greener product that does not contain DEET, try Greenerways Organic 2-in-1 Natural Sunscreen Bug Repellent Lotion in One. This is another mosquito-repelling lotion that doubles as sun protection. This DEET-free insect repellent keeps mosquitoes and other flying insects away through the use of natural oils like cedar wood and peppermint. The lotion protects skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with 30 SPF broad spectrum. It is also reef-safe and water resistant for up to 40 minutes.

Proven Mosquito Repellent Insect Protection Lotion

And for even the youngest travelers, Proven Mosquito Repellent Insect Protection Lotion uses 20% Picaridin to provide up to 14 hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks. The lotion also keeps wearers safe from gnats, flies, chiggers, and no-see-ums for up to eight hours. The lotion features a light fresh scent, it is not greasy, and dries to a clean feel.

Passport Health offers a wide variety of mosquito repellents and immunizations to help you travel safely. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by Corrie Pelc. Corrie Pelc is a freelance writer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She has a passion for health and wellness, having written for publications including Exceptional Parent, DAYSPA, INVISION, Eyecare Professional, and Hepatitis Magazine.

What is Herd Immunity, and What Does Vaccination Have to do With it?

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Herd immunity plays a key role in ensuring we stay healthy all year long.

Herd immunity is the idea that if enough people become immune to a virus, via vaccination or natural immunity, the immune population can protect people who do not have immunity. For example, the majority of US born children are vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) by the age of two.

This level of vaccination provides protection to the population as a whole—even to those who aren’t vaccinated—by decreasing viral circulation and the chance someone who is unvaccinated will encounter the virus. If a person with measles were to come to the U.S., for example, nine out of every 10 people that person could infect would be immune, making it very hard for measles to spread in the population.

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What is the Chikungunya Virus?

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Chikungunya can cause serious long-term effects.

When people think of mosquito-spread diseases, they normally think about the Zika virus, malaria, and West Nile virus. One mosquito-borne disease less talked about is the Chikungunya virus. Although it may not be as well-known in certain parts of the world, it does impact certain continents including Africa, India, and Asia. And as recently as 2015 certain areas of the Americas experienced an outbreak of the virus.

Let’s take a closer look at the Chikungunya virus — what it is, how it affects the body, and what treatment and prevention are available for travelers.

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Can MMR Be Given With Other Vaccines?

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MMR and some other vaccines can be received at the same time. But, others cannot.

The MMR vaccine was introduced in the United States in 1971. It helps prevent measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). All three of these diseases can lead to serious health complications, and in rare cases, they can even cause death. Everyone must receive the vaccine at some point in their life. Discover how impactful the MMR vaccine is and whether you can take it with other vaccines.

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Mumps Cases Rising Among the Vaccinated \ New Study Finds Mumps Cases On the Rise in Vaccinated Kids

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Mumps cases are becoming more common, due to lower vaccination rates.

When scientists developed the mumps vaccine in 1967, cases of the disease plummeted by over 99%. However, mumps cases do still occur and have been on the rise since 2006, mostly among college students.

Now a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found from 2007 to 2019, one-third of reported mumps cases in the United States occurred in children and teens, most of whom had been vaccinated.

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Who Found The Chickenpox Vaccine?

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The chickenpox vaccine has helped to save many, and protect millions.

The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is an important vaccination to get, in order to prevent chickenpox in your children. The vaccine is now a standard component of all childhood vaccination series. While it is a virus, it is rarely dangerous. It is just extremely unpleasant, comprised of an itchy rash that affects mainly the face and torso, but can also be found on the head, arms and scalp. A few other symptoms include fatigue and general irritability. With treatment, it goes away in around seven to ten days.

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