Disease and transmission – Diphtheria is an extremely infectious bacterial disease. The main areas affected are the throat and nose, known as respiratory diphtheria, or cutaneous diphtheria which affects the skin. The respiratory version is caught by droplet spread through coughs and sneezes, or by being in close proximity to an infected person. Cutaneous diphtheria is contracted by contact with discharging skin ulcers.
Symptoms – Cough, hoarse voice, sore throat, difficultly swallowing and a high fever. A yellow/grey layer of dead skin can develop over the throat, blocking the airway. Lymph nodes can become enlarged and tender, particularly noticeable around the neck. Cutaneous diphtheria causes non healing painful ulcers. Diphtheria bacteria can also produce a toxin which affects other body systems and can cause death but severe illness is not common.
Prevention – Avoid contact with those who may have diptheria and practice good respiratory and hand hygiene. Some diphtheria can spread from animals to humans so avoid raw dairy products and close contact with farm animals. There is a very effective vaccine available. Most UK citizens will have had 5 vaccines by time they leave school. If required then the vaccine should be boosted every 10 years (the vaccine is also mixed with tetanus and poliomyelitis as well). This vaccine is available via the NHS.
Treatment – Both types of diphtheria can be treated with antibiotics. Treatment can last three weeks but ulcers can take months to heal and may scar. If breathing problems develop attend hospital. An antitoxin may be needed to stop the toxin produced from damaging other body systems.
Further information https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/disease/210/diphtheria
We do not currently offer this vaccine but will be able to from October 2022.
Disease and transmission - Yellow fever (YF) is a virus transmitted via mainly day biting mosquitos, and circulates either between monkeys and humans or humans to humans. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and South and Central America and Trinidad.
Symptoms – The most common symptoms are fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. A small proportion of people develop severe disease which symptoms include jaundice, stomach pains, vomiting and kidney and liver issues. 50% of those with severe disease will die.
Prevention - Following mosquito bite avoidance techniques (including repellents and clothing) during the day, will help reduce your risk of infection (see mosquito bite avoidance advice leaflet). A Yellow fever vaccine is available and one vaccine provides life-long protection. Some countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis for YF before entry to that country. The vaccine is live and has some rare but potentially serious side effect so a careful risk assessment will be completed prior to vaccination.
Treatment – There is no specific treatment for yellow fever and only supportive management is available.
Further information https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/18/yellow-fever
Disease and transmission – Rabies is a viral infection that affects the brain and nerves. An infected mammal, commonly dogs, cats, monkeys and bats, transmits the virus through their saliva through a scratch, bite or even a lick. Rabies is present across the world and potential exposure needs to be taken seriously.
Symptoms - Symptoms do not appear for 3-10 weeks so potential exposure needs immediate treatment. Once symptoms appear the disease is fatal. Early symptoms are fever, feeling unwell, pain or numbness at bite site and headache. As disease progresses symptoms include confusion, aggression, hallucinations, muscle spasms and paralysis then death.
Prevention – Be aware of the country risk of where you are visiting. Avoid contact with animals. Children are at particular risk. Be aware in advance of local medical facilities that may have the vaccine or immunoglobulins.
If you bitten, licked or scratched then immediately wash the wound with soap and water, apply antiseptic and bandage, then seek immediate medical attention. Unlike other vaccines due to the seriousness of this disease, if you have a potential exposure you require post exposure treatment. Your choices prior to departure impact what is recommended. Time is of the essence if in contact with a potentially infected animal. A careful assessment is needed to ensure you get the correct treatment.
Prior to travel if there is a risk of rabies then vaccine recommendations are 3 pre exposure doses on days 0, 7 and 21-28 (there is an accelerated course).
Treatment – Once symptoms develop there is no treatment expect making them as comfortable as possible prior to death.
Further information https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/20/rabies
Disease and transmission - Typhoid is contracted by ingesting food and water contaminated by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is passed in the faeces of the person who is ill and enters the food chain or can be passed by a lack of hand washing after using the toilet.
Symptoms – May include fever, headache, chills, muscle ache, nausea, abdominal discomfort, rash, enlarged liver or spleen. If not treated it can lead onto very serious complications.
Prevention – Following good food and water precautions, as well as good hand and personal hygiene helps prevent infection (see food and water precautions and hand and personal hygiene leaflets) . There is also a vaccine which gives protection for 3 years.
Treatment – Typhoid can be successfully treated with appropriate antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is increasingly common so it important for the right antibiotic be used as advised by a healthcare professional.
Further information https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/disease/184/typhoid-fever
Disease and transmission – Poliomyelitis (known as polio) is a highly infectious virus that is transmitted by contact with infected faeces or less commonly droplets from a cough or sneeze from an infected person. Food and water can become contaminated with the virus. Hands or objects that have come in contact with infected faeces and then put into your mouth can also cause the infection.
Symptoms – Most people have no symptoms. Some develop a flu like illness with high temperature, sore throat, headache, tiredness, abdominal pain and feeling or being sick. Meningitis and paralysis occurs in a small number of people.
Prevention - Following good food and water precautions and hand and personal hygiene helps prevent infection. There is a vaccine available. Most UK citizens will have had 5 vaccines by time they leave school. If required then the vaccine should be boosted every 10 years (the vaccine is also mixed with tetanus and diphtheria as well). Due to ongoing global outbreaks some countries require a certificate for this vaccine.
Treatment - There is no treatment or cure and only supportive measures are available.
Further information - https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/disease/144/polio
Disease and transmission - Hepatitis A is a virus that effects your liver and is caught by consuming food and water infected by the virus. It is also transmitted by unclean hands that have contracted the virus by touching infected faeces.
Symptoms - Mild fever, feeling tired, generally unwell, being or feeling sick, diarrhoea, itchy rash and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Prevention – Following good food and water precautions, as well as good hand and personal hygiene helps prevent infection. One dose of the very effective vaccine gives you up to a years protection. A second dose (6 -12 months later) will give you 25 years protection.
Treatment – There is no treatment and only supportive management is available.
Further information - https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/disease/70/hepatitis-a
Disease and transmission –Tetanus is caused by bacterium Clostridium tetani, and its spores which is found in soil worldwide. Tetanus occurs when spores in the soil enter a wound. Wounds like burns, animal bites or puncture wounds from rusty tools are tetanus prone. The spinal cord and brain are attacked by the toxin released by the bacteria.
Symptoms – Fever, painful muscle spasms and contractions. Facial spasms resulting in the jaw locking. Problems swallowing, breathing and spontaneous arching of the back. Up to a fifth of cases die, even with medical support.
Prevention - Travellers should be aware of risks and clean any wounds thoroughly and ensure an assessment is carried out of tetanus prone wounds. There is an effective vaccine and many UK citizens will have had 5 vaccines in childhood. It is then suggested to have a booster every ten years if visiting counties with limited health care facilities.
Treatment – Wounds should be cleaned and assessed at a medical facility so that further treatment can be decided upon which may include antibiotics, further vaccination or immunoglobulin. People with symptoms of tetanus often need intensive care in a hospital.
Further information - https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/disease/168/tetanus
