Altitude Sickness
§ Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness and swollen ankles
§ Shortness of breath with reduced exercise tolerance is an indicator of a medical emergency
§ This illness can be fatal
§ If you are travelling over 3000m this can affect you
§ It is not possible to determine who will get altitude sickness
§ There is medication that can assist your body in acclimatising to the altitude
Cholera
§ An acute bacterial infection of the small intestine causing severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration
§ Caused by eating and drinking contaminated water
§ Can be fatal within a few hours if untreated
§ Preventable by vaccine
~ Traveller's Diarrhoea ~
· Very common problem for travellers
· Caused by eating and drinking contaminated water
· E.Coli the most common cause
· The Cholera vaccine provides some cover against the most common causes of traveller’s diarrhoea
· Good hygiene practices plus food and water precautions can prevent illness
COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus)
§ COVID-19 is from a virus family that can cause illness ranging from a mild common cold to severe chest infection
§ The virus causes illness in the lower respiratory tract
§ It can be similar to the common cold and be very mild with a headache and runny nose
§ Other symptoms include, but are not exclusive of, cough, fever and breathing difficulties
§ In severe cases, such as with the medically vulnerable, it can lead to pneumonia and serious complications. There have been reports of individuals being mildly ill and then rapidly becoming unwell
§ It is spread through saliva and respiratory droplets - when a person coughs or sneezes or kisses another
§ It is spread easily through close contact
§ Currently the incubation period to when individuals become unwell is between 2 and 14 days or more after infection
§ Not yet preventable by vaccine
Dengue Fever
§ Causes high fever, severe headaches, eye pain, body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea and flushing of the skin
§ 1 - 2 weeks of being severely unwell with flu like illness
§ Slow recovery
§ Spread by day-biting mosquitoes
§ No treatment available
§ Repellent containing at least 30 % DEET advised for mosquito deterent
§ Vaccination available by special order only and eligibility criteria applies
Hepatitis A
§ A seriously debilitating disease lasting 3 months or longer
§ Contracted from food and water
§ Hepatitis A is contagious. The incubation period is 2-3 weeks, so you may contract this on holiday and spread it to your friends or work colleagues before you have symptoms of the disease
§ Those over 40 years of age usually become seriously ill from Hepatitis A and some older people may die from this disease
§ Alcohol must be avoided for 6 months if you contract this disease
§ Preventable by vaccine
§ 2 doses of vaccine provides life cover
Hepatitis B
§ A seriously debilitating and highly contagious disease lasting for the rest of your (shortened) life
§ Contracted by medical procedures, assault, accidents, blood splashes, or lifestyle misadventures (exchange of bodily fluids)
§ If contracted, this disease can be fatal
§ Alcohol must be avoided for 6 months if you contract this disease
§ Preventable by vaccine
§ 3 doses of vaccine over 6 months gives life cover, 2 doses will provide enough cover for your trip
Hepatitis C
§ Essentially the same as Hepatitis B but is not preventable by vaccination
Influenza
§ An acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses
§ Symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, body aches and pains, severe malaise, sore throat with cough and runny nose
§ Circulates year round and worldwide
§ Vaccination is highly recommended for most travellers
Japanese Encephalitis
§ Most infections are mild, though approx. 1 in 300 cases result in severe illness
§ Potential for permanent and ongoing problems
§ Transmitted by mosquitoes in rural areas
§ Preventable by vaccine
Malaria
§ Causes fever, aches and pains, vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice
§ Spread by mosquitoes in many parts of the world
§ Not preventable by vaccine
§ Prevention by taking medication (chemoprophylaxis) whilst away and avoiding mosquitoes
§ A medical professional, specially trained in travel medicine, should be consulted for the correct medication and dosage
Measles
§ A highly contagious and severe illness
§ Transmitted via droplets from nose, mouth or throat of an infected person
§ Initial symptoms include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes and white spots on the inside of the mouth
§ A rash then develops starting on the face and neck spreading down the body
§ Complications can occur such as blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea with related dehydration and pneumonia
§ Preventable by vaccine
Meningococcal Meningitis
§ A highly fatal disease
§ Meningococcal disease has various strains. Vaccination is available for strains A, B, C, W and Y.
§ Rapidly progressive (within 48 hours)
§ Spread by droplet infection from other people
§ Required for entry to Saudi Arabia during Hajj
§ Preventable by vaccine
Rabies
§ Almost always fatal once symptoms develop
§ Carried by all mammals, not just dogs, and they may not exhibit symptoms.
§ Prevalent in most overseas countries
§ Incubation period is from 10 days up to 17 years. Once symptoms become apparent, successful treatment is not possible
§ Lifelong immunity achieved through vaccination
§ Post exposure rabies treatment is available but access can be difficult, even impossible to obtain in some countries
§ A highly effective vaccine is available
Typhoid
§ A food and water-borne disease usually resulting in hospitalisation (severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain)
§ Most prevalent in developing nations
§ Previous illness does not help immunity
§ Preventable by vaccine
Tick Borne Encephalitis
§ Viral infection of the central nervous system
§ Cold and flu-like symptoms initially
§ A possibility of a 2nd, more severe, phase which includes symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis or radiculitis
§ Potentially fatal
§ Protective measures to prevent ticks should be taken
§ Preventable by vaccine
§ Vaccine available in Australia via the Special Access Scheme
Yellow Fever
§ Highly fatal, mosquito borne disease
§ A certificate as proof of vaccination may be required for entry and exit in some countries, especially entry to Australia
§ Advisable to have the vaccine if visiting countries in parts of Africa and South America
§ Vaccination only available at accredited vaccination centres registered with the World Health Organisation (WHO), such as Travel Bug Vaccination Clinic
§ Vaccination provides lifetime protection to most adults
§ Must be over 9 months of age to receive vaccination
Childhood Vaccinations
It is very important, if travelling, to have these up to date:
§ Tetanus / Diphtheria / Polio / Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
§ Measles / Mumps / Rubella
§ Chicken Pox (Varicella)
These diseases are more common overseas but you can also catch them here.
Please research your vaccination history before your appointment - it will save you money if you have already had them!
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