The World is Really Big, and Kinda Deadly

So today I've been looking online for packing lists that people have made and vaccination advice.

On guy with a packing list had a link to www.world66.com where you can make maps of where in the world you've been.

So this is my map...




15 countries, 6% of the countries in the world. The map looks pretty exaggerated though. I checked Italy but I only ate dinner there once after a boat ride from Switzerland. I didn't even sleep there. I slept on a boat in the lake which probably drifted back to the Swiss side. I checked Mexico but that was only crossing the border in California and then walked back 20 minutes later. And Canada looks pretty impressive but I've only been to Toronto and Montreal. But it does look pretty cool. And there's obviously a lot more of the world that I haven't been to. Like, 94% of it.

Ahhh, this is slightly more rewarding...




36 states (70%). And I left out the ones I haven't spent at least a night in (layovers for flights and stuff like that).

Ok, so that was the fun stuff of the day.

Now the scary stuff.

Knowmad.com is a site where you tell them what countries you'll be going to and what you'll be doing there and they tell you vaccinations you should definitely get and some others you may want to consider. That part's free, but if you want to pay $4.95 they can give you a ton more info like why they suggested them and other info. I'm not sure if it's better to pay $5 to get even more freaked out or just do what I can (get the vaccines) and go from there.

Here was my analysis from www.knowmad.com.
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Recommended Vaccines
Hepatitis A
You can get Hepatitis A as easily as a dose of diarrhea. Your risk is high. You should have the vaccine.

Hepatitis B
An essential vaccine because Hepatitis B spreads easily through any type of bodily fluid and there is no treatment.

Typhoid
Given your style of travel and your itinerary we recommend Typhoid vaccination because it is easily contracted through contaminated food or water.

Vaccines to Evaluate
Influenza
You're at increased risk of Influenza (the flu). As insurance you ought to consider the vaccine.

Japanese Encephalitis
There is no definitive yes or no here. Your risk is low but the consequences of infection are severe. So take some time and weigh up the vaccine against mosquito protection measures.

Meningococcal Meningitis
You are not traveling to high risk areas. But you are heading overseas for some time and there is a low risk of the disease worldwide so consider the vaccine.

Rabies
You have 2 choices. Vaccinate before travel or receive a "post-exposure" vaccine course within 24 hours should you be bitten.

Tick-borne Encephalitis
You've indicated you will be hiking or camping. If a considerable amount of this time is in forested areas you need to consider either vaccination or tick avoidance strategies.

Extra Info
Don't Forget Your Childhood Vaccines.
It is essential you're up-to-date with:
- Adult-Diphtheria-Tetanus (every 10 years)
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Chickenpox
- Hepatitis B (a new addition to this list)

What about vaccines I don't need?
The following vaccines have been evaluated for you ... and you don't need them.
Yellow Fever, Polio, Tuberculosis, Cholera
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Ok, no more freaking out my mom. I'm going to make a packing list with my sister now.