Travel Diseases and You

As some of us are busy preparing ourselves with travel details, we also ought to take time to plan any contingencies should we or the company that we are traveling with contract any kinds of illness and injuries.

It is rather natural that in the course of our travel we will have our own run ins with any kind of disease but we should always remember that the level of healthcare that we might have been receiving may differ from those of which we will be visiting. So we have come up with a list of Top Common Traveling Diseases that travelers should be aware of during your travels.

Malaria
Malaria is a disease where a traveler needs to take the preventive medication before, during and after your trip, and some of it can have some unpleasant side effects. These days, Malaria is found in at least a hundred countries – the Center for Disease Control has quite a handy risk map to check your destination.

You will normally contract malaria from a mosquito bite, so covering up would be wise along with taking medication. Symptoms including a fever and something similar to the flu; it’s not usually fatal, but it can be. Scientists are still working on a vaccine against malaria, and that’s something that would be a big benefit to travels if they figured it out successfully.

Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is most commonly found in tropical areas as well as parts of Africa, and is a bit scarier because it also occurs in more developed countries in the tropics, like Singapore or Taiwan. Mosquitoes spread this disease and there’s no commercial vaccine yet, so use a repellent and nets to avoid getting bitten.

You might have contracted Dengue Fever if you notice symptoms like fever, headache, muscle and joints pains which somehow will be followed by a rash. So far there is no vaccine for the disease, just good common sense to avoid those mosquitoes.

Yellow Fever
A mosquito-borne nasty is yellow fever, mostly found in the tropical parts of South America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Victims usually end up with jaundice, hence “yellow” fever. But while yellow fever can also kill you, it’s easier to prevent because the vaccination is nearly always effective, and only needs to be administered a couple of weeks before you travel.

Japanese Encephalitis
Another disease that is caused by mosquitoes, Japanese encephalitis is definitely one to avoid. It affects the central nervous system, causing severe flu-like symptoms, and it can be fatal. The vaccine is quite effective, especially if you get the recommended two doses.

Despite the name, Japanese encephalitis isn’t limited to Japan at all and it’s more common in agricultural regions of countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Nepal and Malaysia. Again, cover up against mosquitoes if you’re traveling in these areas.

Tetanus
Tetanus is the kind of disease that could happen to you anywhere but reports have suggested that the most likely places are in India as well as parts of Africa. Tetanus is also called lockjaw for a good reason – it affects your nervous system and makes your muscles spasm and seize up.

Luckily for us the tetanus vaccine is 100% effective so just remember to go for periodic shots every ten years.

Cholera
Cholera is actually a pretty nasty disease. You might pick it up in many parts of Africa and Asia especially in places with poor sanitation. Symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and fever can lead to cholera and if you are not careful it has the potential to be fatal, too.

Try to avoid any uncooked food and unbottled water and at some places try to avoid ice as well, since the cholera virus can be found in contaminated food and water.

Typhoid
Typhoid is another disease that is caused by contaminated food or waters specifically those that are contaminated by the salmonella bacteria. It’s most commonly found in places like India and parts of Asia, Africa and South America.

Typhoid is a disease that might hit you suddenly, but then develops slowly – you’ll get a fever, and after a week or so you might become delirious. In the vast majority of cases, it isn’t fatal, and the vaccine is also reasonably effective.

Hepatitis
Hepatitis A is a nasty infection to the liver and symptoms range from fever, nausea and vomiting for long duration. Countries like India, Mexico, Latin America and parts of Africa are where Hepatitis is commonly reported. Hepatitis A originates again from contaminated food or water or from an infected person.

Hepatitis B is also found in similar regions, plus the Middle East and some Pacific Islands, and can lead to a whole heap of liver damage, cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Fortunately, it’s also harder to contract and be infected with it, as it’s usually transmitted only via blood, shared needles and bodily fluids. You need to take your medication for Hepatitis B 6 months before your travel and Hepatitis B is known to be fatal.

HIV / AIDS
Although HIV is not predominantly a travelers’ disease it has somehow become a serious issue for travelers in Africa and South East Asia where it’s become scarily prevalent, as many carriers don’t realize they have the virus.

Fortunately or unfortunately to some, reducing your risk of contracting HIV as a traveler is mostly a matter of common sense and taking care. Avoid any form of casual sex, use reliable and high quality condoms if you do have sex with someone you meet and never ever share needles or syringes with anyone.


Photo Credits
Limowreck666 Quintinoyang Smccann Geordie Mott