Travel Vaccinations

What is cholera and what causes it? Cholera is commonest in Africa, Asia and Central America. It’s also found in places where there has been a natural disaster, war-torn regions where the medical infrastructure has broken down and in particularly poor, crowded places. Cholera is a bacterial infection found in contaminated food and water. It is common in places with poor sanitation, for example where sewage comes into contact with drinking water. It also arises in the developed world where seafood like shellfish and plankton have been contaminated, but this is rare. Cholera is often mild and some people don’t…

What is rabies and what causes it? Rabies is a viral disease transmitted to humans usually by a bite or scratch from an infected animal, or through bodily fluids such as saliva coming into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or broken skin. It’s most often associated with dogs, but is also common in cats, cattle, monkeys, foxes and bats. While it can occur on all continents (apart from Antarctica), it is most commonly found in Africa, Asia, Central America and South America. The virus attacks the central nervous system causing, progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. Once…

What is Hepatitis A and what causes it? Hepatitis A is found throughout the world but it’s common where sanitation is poor, mostly across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Hepatitis A infects the liver and affects its function. People catch it by coming into contact with anything contaminated by faecal matter – poo – including food and water. Very rarely, it can be transmitted via blood. It causes several problems including jaundice, where you turn yellow, plus nausea, fatigue and fever. It can last for anything between a few weeks and several months. There is no cure…

What is TBE and what causes it? Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection usually transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. The disease occurs in parts of central, northern and Eastern Europe, Siberia and parts of Asia. Ticks are found on forest fringes within adjacent grassland, forest glades, riverside meadows and marshland, forest plantations with brushwood and shrubbery. Ticks can also be found in parks and gardens. Typically, the disease occurs in two stages: a mild flu-like illness and a potentially serious infection of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). TBE is rarely fatal in Europe:…

What is Hepatitis B and what causes it? There is a worldwide risk of Hepatitis B. High risk areas are Asia, Africa and South America, but you can also catch it in Europe, North America and Australia. Hepatitis B is a serious viral disease affecting liver function. It can develop into a life-long chronic condition with very unpleasant effects including liver failure, liver scarring and even liver cancer. Right now there are more than 2 billion people in the world infected with Hepatitis B, one in every three people on the planet. You catch hepatitis B through contact with infected body…

What is typhoid and what causes it? Typhoid Fever is a bacterial infection that can cause intestinal bleeding, toxic heart disease, pneumonia, seizures and swelling of the brain. It is transmitted when food or water that has been contaminated is ingested. Between 13 million and 16 million cases of typhoid are reported globally each year, of which 500,000 result in death. Salmonella typhi, the bacterium causing the infection, is related to the bacteria that cause salmonella food poisoning. It can be contracted through consuming food or drink that’s contaminated with a small amount of infected faeces or urine. Without quick…

What is Japanese encephalitis and what causes it? Japanese encephalitis occurs throughout South East Asia and Japan, but has also reached northern Queensland in Australia. It’s found in areas where pigs and wading birds live and in places where mosquitoes breed. Japanese Encephalitis is a serious illness causing inflammation of the brain. In bad cases it can lead to brain damage and death. A fortunate third of people who get the disease are asymptomatic, which means they don’t experience any symptoms at all. Another third suffer from long-term neurological deficits and the remaining third die. There is no cure for…

What is meningitis and what causes it? Meningitis is found worldwide. The most risky areas are sub-Saharan Africa, known as the meningitis belt, where epidemics are common. The belt runs from Senegal in West Africa to Ethiopia in the east. If you’re going there, get vaccinated first. Meningitis C is included in Britain’s national childhood immunisation schedule. Youngsters often have a meningitis vaccination before they go to college, where crowded and often unhygienic student lifestyles take their toll and the disease is spread via respiratory and throat infections. And young adults entering the forces often have the vaccination for the…

What is Dipetheria and what causes it? The infection is more common in Africa, South Asia and the former Soviet Union, where vaccinations aren’t widely available. Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that affects the nose, throat and sometimes skin. It’s highly contagious and is usually contracted through close contact with someone who has the condition or is carrying it. It can be spread by coughing, sneezing or sharing belongings with someone who has the infection, such as bedding or clothing. Diptheria signs and symptoms: Typical symptoms of diphtheria are a high fever, sore throat, difficulties breathing and a grey…

What is Yellow Fever and what causes it? A number of countries require a yellow fever certificate, which is called the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Other risk destinations may not ask you for a certificate, but if visiting a risk area you still need to have the vaccination. Please bear in mind, your yellow fever certificate will only become valid ten days after the injection. Yellow fever certificates used to expire after a certain number of years. However, they are now valid for life for most people. This includes certificates which were issued before this rule changed…