United States of America Local Custom Tips by Myndo

Letterboxes

A lot of houses in America are not in cities and villages, but located outside and not directly at the roads.
This would make it very difficult for a postman to deliver every letter to the house.
So they have their letterboxes at the main road - far away fom the house.
If there is something in it, these boxes have a "flag" at the side that the postman stands up.
I heard, this can also be used the other way round: if you have something for the postman, you can leave it in there as well.

Health in the USA, status October 2004

Malaria: there is none.

Those Vaccinations are advised for everyone:
Diphterie and Tetanus.

In special occasions this vaccination is advised: Hepatitis B (if you get in contact with blood or other body fluids- as for doctors etc.)

West Nile Fever in the USA and Canada:
2004 there have been reported more than 1100 cases. Mostly in Arizona, California and Colorado.
Its a virus that is transferred on humans via Mosquitoes. Often there are no symptoms, if there are symptoms, they resemble the Flu. In seldom cases (less than 1%) it comes to an Encephalitis with possible death.
There exists no specific treatment.
Protect yourself against being bitten by mosquitoes and do not touch any birds (birds are the natural reservoir of the virus).
Wear long clothes and use DEET repellents.

USA has very good hospitals. You can get the medications in the many pharmacies that are around.