
The Infectious Disease Department (located in Altru Family Medicine Center) specializes in the prevention, control and research of infectious disease.
Common Conditions We Treat
Safe, effective vaccines that could reduce disease incidence, morbidity, mortality and health-care costs from these illnesses are available but are underutilized. All age groups of people need to be immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases, and certain groups of adults are at higher risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses. Nationally, only 65% of people aged 65 years and older receive annual flu shots--this number is even lower for the pneumococcal vaccine (referred to commonly as the "pneumonia shot") at only 45.5 percent. One study showed that workers who receive the influenza vaccine missed 43 percent fewer days of work during the flu season because of a respiratory ailment. Pneumococcal disease, which claims as many as 40,000 lives each year in the US, accounts for more deaths than any other preventable disease.
Vaccines are the best defense we have against infectious diseases. Prior to approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), vaccines are extensively tested by scientists to ensure that they are effective and safe. Unfortunately, no vaccine is 100% safe or effective. Differences in the way individual immune systems react to a vaccine account for rare occasions when people are not protected following immunization or when they experience side effects.
All adults should be immunized for the following preventable diseases
Many adults have indications to receive these shots as well (ask your doctor if you should get them):
Travelers may be exposed to diseases not common in our own country, such as yellow fever, malaria, diphtheria, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid or polio. These shots may require a number of weeks to be effective, so it is important to get them early (about 6 weeks before traveling abroad).
Other: Persons with potential exposure to rabies or anthrax (such as veterinarians) should be evaluated for these vaccines.
Facts about Adult Immunizations
Local health providers:
Altru Clinic - Main provides immunizations for most common diseases that have vaccines, including many travel vaccines. Call 780-6000 for information.
Local health departments:
The Grand Forks Health Department has regular Immunization Clinics scheduled. During the autumn months, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are administered at immunization sites around the city and county. Call 787.8100 for more information.
Although work has been done by state and local health departments to create computerized records for immunizations, it is very important to keep personal immunization records forever and in a safe place. Workplaces, universities and others routinely ask for immunization histories.
The infectious disease section of Altru Health System provides the International Travel Clinic in hopes of making your trip safer and more enjoyable. Whether your travel is business-related or vacation you could be exposed to poor sanitation and infectious diseases not found in the United States. The travel clinic can provide you with all the information and immunizations needed to protect you during your travel to any country. Certain immunizations must be given more than one month before departure. Please try to make your appointment two to three months prior to trip departure.
Services provided by the International Travel Clinic
Additional Resources for Travelers
To make an appointment, please call 701.780.6400.
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