Travel Diseases Brief

Travel Diseases Brief
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Acute Mountain Sickness
Bedbugs
Dengue Fever
Hepatitis A & B
Japanese Encephalitis
Malaria
Meningococcal Meningitis
Polio
Rabies
Tick-Borne Encephalitis
Travelers' Diarrhea
Typhoid Fever
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Yellow Fever

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
This is a common illness upon reaching altitudes of 8,000 feet or more. Symptoms are mild to moderate headache, lethargy, nausea and restlessness at night with difficulty sleeping. Acetazolamide given twice a day is very effective in preventing or lessening symptoms. details

Bedbugs
Bedbugs are not a disease but an infestation On returning home, launder all clothes or dry clean. Check luggage for these 1/2 inch or less long brown insects hiding in crevices. Vacuum out and fog inside of luggage with house & garden insecticide and then close up. details

Dengue Fever (DF)
DF is a well known disease of the tropics caused by a virus similar to the West Nile Virus (WNV). DF is only transmitted by the Aedes aegpyti mosquito commonly called the Asian tiger mosquito because of it's black and white stripped coloring. It causes severe muscle aches, headache and fever. Travelers to these areas should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. There is no vaccine. details

Hepatitis A & B
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are the two most common vaccine preventable diseases in the world. HAV was commonly called “infectious hepatitis,” a word coined in 1912 to describe the epidemic form of the disease. Symptoms are nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain and jaundice. All travelers to countries with high rates of transmission should be vaccinated.

HBV was called "serum hepatitis" and associated with blood transfusions. Tattoos, needle sticks, exposure to body fluids and dental work in many countries is high risk for contracting HBV. Symptoms may be minimal, but infection can result in a carrier state and cirrhosis of the liver with cancer years later. Travelers should be vaccinated if they frequently travel to or spend more than one month in countries that have high rates of HBV infections. details

Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
JE is a viral illness transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. Risk exists in Southern Asia, including Southern and Eastern China, India, Sri Lanka, Southern Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Torres Strait of Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Most infections do not give significant symptoms. About 1 in 300 infections result in inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), which can end in permanent neurological damage.

All travelers to these areas should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Those staying longer than one month or have frequent exposure to these areas should be vaccinated. details

Malaria
Much of the tropics have risk of malaria for residents and travelers. Mosquitoes transmits malaria when they bite. Use personal protection with DEET or picaridin based insect repellants. Avoid mosquitoes from dusk to dawn. Take malaria prevention pills as directed by your physician.

Any person with unexplained fever and chills within a year of travel to a malarious area should be checked for malaria. Symptoms of malaria are often non-specific with high fever, teeth rattling chills and severe headache. Most travelers become ill after returning home. details

Meningococcal Meningitis
This is a highly fatal bacterial infection of the coverings enclosing the brain (meninges). In Africa, it occurs in large epidemics in the sub-Sahara countries of the “meningitis belt.” The peak time for epidemics occurs during the dry season from December to June.

Symptoms include high fever, lethargy, a stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, confusion and headache. It is often associated with gangrenous purplish black lesions on the digits and skin. It is a highly contagious disease spread by respiratory droplets and close contact. Meningococcal meningitis is vaccine preventable.

Vaccination with Menomune or Menactra is required for entry into Saudi Arabia by persons traveling to Mecca for pilgrimage (Hajj or Umra) or for seasonal work. Vaccination must be at least 10 days before entry. Saudi Arabia requires a booster every 3 years. Check with the embassy of Saudi Arabia. details

Polio
This is a highly infectious virus that existed in nearly every country in the world just 50 years ago. Although not limited to children, they are most often affected by this virus. Spread by close contact it attacks the nervous system causing paralysis.

Those traveling to countries where polio still exists should receive a single booster in their adult life. Adults who were not vaccinated or had polio are not immune to the other two strains of polio and should be vaccinated with the full series. Proof of vaccination is required of children entering Saudi Arabia who are less than 15 years of age and coming from certain countries (not the US). details

Rabies
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system usually contracted from bites of rabid animals, such as dogs, cats, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, skunk and bats. Rabid animals may appear harmless and sedate, then suddenly becoming vicious and unmanageable.

Saliva contact from a rabid animal to mucous membranes or open wounds, bites no matter how trivial, a scratch with a lick or a scratch are grounds for vaccination. Awakening in a bedroom with a bat present in the room is grounds for vaccination, even if there are no signs of a bite or scratch. details

Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE)
TBE is a viral illness in Eastern and Central Europe and Russia. It is increasingly recognized as a problem that can cause serious illness in children and adults. A vaccine is available in Central Europe and Canada but not in the US. When hiking in these regions use DEET on legs, pants and socks. Do a tick check of yourself after your outing. details

Travelers' Diarrhea (TD)
TD will be a problem for about 50% of travelers. Symptoms can be only a few cramps and loose bowel movements or nausea and vomiting with severe cramps and up to 10 stools per day. Being careful of what food and water you consume is important, as is hand washing. Antibiotics are helpful in most cases. details

Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is a food and waterborne illness associated with poor hygiene and sanitation. It is exclusively a human disease. Food handlers are often the source of infection, who without apparent illness themselves, contaminate food and water.

A typhoid vaccine has been available for some years but was replaced with a superior vaccine in recent years. Given once every two years as an injection, it is about 70% effective. A live attenuated bacterial oral vaccine is available and equally effective. details

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
This is not usually thought of as a travel disease. It is common worldwide with a recent rise in cases in the US. Previous pertussis infection or childhood vaccinations do not give long lasting immunity. All unvaccinated travelers are at risk, whether young or old.

This is a highly infectious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract which starts with cold-like symptoms lasting three to five days. It progresses to a non-productive, barking cough that is difficult to control. Adults rarely "whoop" like young children. Unvaccinated infants may not cough but suddenly stop breathing and turn blue. Respiratory arrest may be the first sign of pertussis in an infant.

In March of 2006, the CDC published it's recommendation that adolescents receive one dose of Tdap to prevent pertussis infection and outbreaks.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5503.pdf

In December of 2006, the CDC published it's recommendation that adults, in particular certain groups, such as health care workers, receive one dose of the newly licensed Tdap vaccine to prevent pertussis infection and outbreaks.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5517.pdf

Yellow Fever (YF)
YF is a viral illness contracted from the bite of a mosquito. YF is now found only in parts of South America, Africa and Panama. This is the only disease in the world for which the World Health Organization (WHO) officially makes vaccination requirements.

Not having a certificate of vaccination can cause unexpected difficulties for travelers who plan multiple country itineraries. While crossing borders you may be asked to show this certificate and denied entrance unless you submit to taking the vaccine at that time. This can put one a risk for HIV and hepatitis B or C from contaminated needles. Also, the vaccine may be ineffective due to improper handling. details