Rabies and animal bites
Animals can cause potentially fatal effect, through injury, disease such as rabies or from neurotoxic venoms. Wild animal attacks are rare and easily avoidable by staying away from large animals in zoos and game parks. Water areas may contain sharks, crocodiles or hippopotami. However, dog or monkey bite remains a much greater risk. Rabies is […]
Polio (Poliomyelitis)
Polio (Poliomyelitis) A preventable viral infection spread by faeces and saliva. Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, sore throat, nausea and vomiting 1 in 20 people hospitalised with polio will die 50% of survivors have permanent paralysis of varying degrees Prevented by a routine vaccination which may need to be updated before travel Back to All […]
Pregnancy
Travel is unlikely to be a problem for a healthy pregnant traveller however, there are a few risks that need to be considered and discussed with your doctor. Avoid malarious areas if possible Avoid air travel after about 35 weeks and prepare for a possible delivery from 20 weeks Reduce the risk of thrombosis (blood […]
Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection spread by saliva. Symptoms include swollen salivary glands and fever One in 200 develop encephalitis (brain inflammation) with a risk of deafness One in 5 males past puberty develop testicular inflammation with risk of permanent infertility It is now given combined with measles and rubella vaccination Measles is a routine vaccination that may need […]
Mosquito and Insect Bites
Malaria, yellow fever, japanese encehaphalitis, and dengue fever are spread by mosquitoes. In Australia, dengue fever and the related arboviruses, ross river fever and murray valley encephalitis, are becoming an increasing problem. Other diseases spread by insects include plague, tick fever, sleeping sickness, typhus, Lyme disease, Chagas’ disease, Leishmaniasis and many others. Fleas, ticks, bed bugs, lice and scabies […]
Meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection of the brain lining and is spread by nasal droplets. Incidence varies seasonally Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting and in severe cases shock and coma Complications include short and long term brain damage The death rate is about 10% Two types of vaccines are available. One […]
Medical Kits for Travellers
It is a good idea to take a medical kit when travelling. Many items and kits are available and should be discussed with your doctor prior to travel. Check with your travel clinic doctor if you require prescription medication. Planning ahead and suggesting ‘what if’ scenarios may go a long way in preventing illness. Depending […]
