The Singapore Forum

Tas wrote:Thought the article was too long and went on a bit :http://www.smh.com.au/travel/traveller- ... 1bp74.html But the list a brief summary and reminder.

Pretty sure I was jabbed painfully for about +80% of these again last year, but couldn't remember the of Japanese encephalitis one, so inspired the post. :

TRAVEL ILLNESS TIPS

Most travellers come home from their trips perfectly healthy. However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so take reasonable protections against these illnesses:

- Travellers' diarrhea: The most common travel illness, this comes when you eat food or drink water that contain bacteria unfamiliar to your system. Treat with Imodium or antibiotics if it is persistent. An estimated 10 percent- 20 percent of all international travellers complain of this ailment.

- Malaria: Parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes, causing fever, chills and other complications; untreated it can be fatal. Prevention is not absolute, but if you take medication, use DEET lotions and avoid mosquitoes when travelling, you will cut your risk.

- Yellow fever: Potentially fatal viral fever spread by mosquitoes. Proof of vaccination is mandatory for visiting certain countries. Vaccination will protect you for 10 years.

- Typhoid: Bacterial infection, potentially fatal, spread by contaminated food and water. An oral immunisation protects for 5 years.

- Hepatitis A and B: The A virus is spread by contaminated food and water; B is from blood or bodily fluids. A series of three immunisations (Twinrix) protects you.

- Polio: You might think polio was wiped out, but it's not true. A polio booster protects travellers previously immunised.

- Meningitis: Inflammation of brain and spinal cord fluid caused by infection; the bacterial kind can kill you. An immunisation protects you.

- Measles, mumps, TB: These still exist around the world. Make sure your regular immunisations are up to date.

- H1N1 flu: The pandemic is over and the amount of flu is back to normal this year in the world, according to the World Health Organisation.

- Dengue fever, West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever, hemorrhagic fever, Chikungunya: These viruses are mostly spread by mosquitoes or ticks at various spots around the world. No immunisations are available, so take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

- Japanese encephalitis: Serious brain inflammation disease, transmitted by mosquitoes. An immunisation exists.