Hepatitis A
- A seriously debilitating disease lasting 3 months or longer
- Contracted from food and water in developing countries
- Preventable by vaccine
- 2 doses of vaccine gives life cover
- Over 40 year olds can die from this disease
- Alcohol must be avoided for 6 months if you contract this disease
- Once you have Hepatitis A you are highly contagious to others
- Incubation period is 2-3 weeks, so you may contract this on holiday and spread it to your friends or work colleagues
- Vaccination is highly effective
Hepatitis B
- A seriously debilitating disease lasting for the rest of your (shortened) life
- Contracted by medical procedures, assault, accidents, blood splashes, or lifestyle misadventures (exchange of bodily fluids)
- Preventable by vaccine, but not treatable if you get it
- 3 doses of vaccine over 4 months gives life cover, but the first 2 doses will provide enough cover for your trip
- If contracted, this disease is often fatal
- Alcohol must be avoided for 6 months if you contract this disease
- Once you have Hepatitis B, you are highly contagious to close family members, and your sexual partner
Hepatitis C
- Essentially the same as Hepatitis B but is not preventable by vaccination
Typhoid
- A food and water-borne disease usually resulting in hospitalisation (severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain)
- Most prevalent in developing nations. Oral and injectable vaccines available.
- Preventable by vaccination, but many strains exist. Previous illness does not help immunity.
Yellow Fever
- Vaccination is legally required for entry and exit from some countries, especially entry to Australia
- Advisable to have the vaccine if visiting countries in parts of Africa and South America
- Highly fatal disease
- Spread by mosquitoes
- The vaccine possibly has some side effects (flu like symptoms, sometimes worse)
- Special precautions suggested for those with weaker immune systems
- Vaccination only available at licensed clinics such as Travel-Bug Vaccination Clinic
- Must be over 9 months of age to receive vaccination
- Vaccination lasts for 10 years
- Certificate required at airports, and is provided at Travel-Bug
Rabies
- A fatal disease in every case, almost!
- Vaccination is possible: 3 doses will give life cover
- If bitten when unvaccinated, rabies immunoglobulin is required. This is a blood product and in short supply, aven unavailable in many countries
- Prevalent in most overseas countries
- Carried by all mammals, not just dogs, and they may not exhibit symptoms.
- Incubation period is from 10 days up to 17 years. Once symptoms become apparent, successful treatment is not possible
- Life long vaccination is available, so regular travellers should consider this
Meningococcal Meningitis
- A highly fatal disease
- Rapidly progressive (within 48 hours)
- Spread by droplet infection from other people
- Preventable by vaccine
- Vaccination recommended for 16-25 year olds, especially if living in dormitory style accommodations or those visiting endemic areas
- Vaccination lasts 3 years, but a life long vaccine is available overseas
- Meningitis C vaccine given in school is not adequate cover for travel
- Required for entry to Saudi Arabia during Hajj
Japanese Encephalitis
- Transmitted by mosquitoes in rural areas
- Rice paddocks and pig farms are required for mosquitoes to breed
- Vaccine recommended for travellers to endemic zone (the warmer parts of Asia) for over 1-2 months
- Very expensive (over $200).
- Vaccine course 0, 28d
Childhood Vaccinations
It is very important to have these up to date:
- Tetanus / Diphtheria / Polio / Whooping Cough
Travel-Bug provides these 4 as 1 injection
- Measles / Mumps / Rubella
Travel-Bug provides these 3 as 1 injection - Chicken Pox: 2 doses required
These diseases are more common overseas but you can also catch them here.
Please research this information before your appointment - it will save you money if you have already had them!
Malaria
- Spread by mosquitoes
- Vaccination is not possible. Prevention is by taking medication whilst away, and for 7-28 days after you leave the area
- A specialist in travel medicine should be consulted for the correct medication and dosage
- Many areas do not need medication (e.g. most resorts)
- Africa and the Solomon's are the worst destinations for malaria
- Repellent (30% DEET, tropical strength) is a vital part of the preventative strategy
Dengue Fever
- Spread by day-biting mosquitoes
- No vaccine available
- No treatment available
- Eventual recovery
- 1 - 2 weeks of being severely unwell with flu like illness
- Repellent containing 30 % DEET advised
Altitude Sickness
- If you are travelling over 3000m this can affect you
- People have died from this
- There is a medication(scientifically proven) that can improve your chances of avoiding this.
- Tablets do not mask the disease, they prevent it!
- It is not possible to predict who will get altitude sickness.
Traveller's Diarrhoea
- Caused by eating and drinking contaminated water
- E Coli is a very common cause. Cholera can also be a culprit
- The "Dukoral" vaccine is effective at prevention
- This is an oral vaccination. 2 doses are required 1 - 2 weeks apart
- The vaccine becomes fully effective 2 weeks after the last dose
Tuberculosis
- Vaccination is usually only needed for kids travelling in excess of 6 months to a developing nation
Tick Borne Encephalitis
- Useful if you are hiking in Europe or Asia
- Vaccine not available in Australia
Immunoglobulin
- This is an older product which was once used to prevent Hepatitis A
- It is a blood product
- It is no longer approved for this use and is very expensive to produce (over $200 per dose)
Influenza
- It is highly recommended for tourists travelling to a wintry destination on a guided tour or cruise to have this
Measles
- A severe illness forgotten by the masses
- If you are born between 1966 and 1981 your childhood dose of vaccine has worn off. The system has given 2 doses to the younger members of the community (Government agencies have now worked it out!)
- Each person needs to have 2 doses of the vaccine (or to have had the measles!)
Member of the Travel Medicine Alliance 
Like us on Facebook & leave a review
https://www.facebook.com/TBVCSA/