Travel may seem glamorous on the surface but in reality, deep down there is danger in every corner like bacterial diseases....some of these however are vaccine preventable diseases.
| Disease |
Description |
|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Viral infection caught by bites from infected mosquitoes. Vaccination is safe and effective and mandatory for a number of countries. Other countries may require a valid certificate at immigration. Protect oneself against mosquito bites by applying insect repellents containing DEET. |
| Typhoid | Enteric Fever caused by bacterial infection caused by eating contaminated food and water (ice!). Vaccination reduces risk but attention to food, drink and hygiene essential. |
| Tetanus | A bacterial disease causing muscle spasm which can be fatal. Bacteria and spores enter the body from cuts, abrasions and pinprick wounds. Maintain immunity by vaccination. |
| Polio | A virus which can affect muscle function and sometimes cause paralysis. Caused by eating food and drinking water contaminated with the virus. Vaccination (oral) and attention to personal hygiene especially hand washing. |
| Diphtheria | Severe bacterial infection caught by direct contact and droplet inhalation from an infected person. Immunisation and minimise exposure to infected people. |
| Hepatitis A | Viral infection of the liver. It is caught by ingestion of food or drink contaminated by the virus. Vaccination reduces risk and as before attention to hygiene is essential. |
| Hepatitis B | It is a viral infection of the liver, which leads to liver failure and cancer. Caught by contaminated surgical instruments, blood products and unprotected sex. Vaccination reduces risk. |
| Meningitis A+C | An infection caught by inhaling contaminated droplets or particles shed by infected persons. Vaccinationif appropriate and avoid crowed areas. |
| Rabies | Viral infection attacking nerve fibres and central nervous system. Caught by bites from infected mammals. Avoid petting or handling any animals and any animal lick or bite. If exposure is suspected, seek medical advice. Immunisation available. |
| Japanese Encephalitis | It's a viral infection of the brain, transmitted to man from pigs and birds by mosquitoes. Vaccine available but bite prevention is effective. Use insect repellents (DEET bases). |
| Tick Borne Encephalitis | Viral infection of the brain caught by bites from infected tics and unpasteurised milk (because tick bite cattle). Vaccine available. |
| Dengue Fever | No vaccine is available. It's a viral infection affecting joints, muscles and blood vessels and caught by daytime mosquito bites. Avoid bites with topical application of DEET based insect repellent. |
| Diarrhoea | Caused by bacteria and other parasites from contaminated food and water and by poor personal hygiene. |
| Dysentery | Bloody diarrhoea caused by parasites and bacteria from contaminated food or water. |
| Gut Parasites | Infection of bowels by protozoa or worms from infected food and water. |
| Schistosomiasis | Parasitic fluke from fresh water snails attacking exposed skin. |
| Onchocerciasis | Parasitic worm from infected blackfly bite, infesting skin and other parts of the body. |
| Leishmaniasis | Bite from infected sandfly, causing ulcers at bite sites. |
| Cholera | Bacterial bowel infection caused by ingestion of contaminated food and water with acute diarrhoea, causing severe dehydration |
| HIV | Virus attacking the immune system, leading to condition of AIDS. Caught by unprotected sex (especially anal intercourse), sharing needles and contaminated blood products. |