£50 per dose - 2 required, minimum 28 days apart
Disease and transmission –Hepatitis B is a viral infection and is contracted via infected blood or body fluids. It affects the liver and occurs worldwide, but with much higher rates of infection in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Central/Eastern Europe, Middle East and the Amazon. There are certain activities and behaviours which increase the risk to the traveller.
Symptoms – Most have few or no symptoms. If infection occurs in ischildhood, a person e much more likely to be chronic carriers (always have the disease). Adults are more likely to display the symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, dark urine and pale stools. During an acute illness yellow skin and eyes (jaundice) may develop.
Prevention - Avoiding risky activities or behaviours e.g unprotected sex, tattoos, piercings, sharing needles or shaving equipment can help reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis B. There is a vaccine available which anyone born after 2017 should have received. Other schedules are either two for some children’s vaccines, or three vaccines in adults given over a 6 month period. There is an accelerated schedule over 2 months (or 21 days in some cases) with a fourth booster being required if there is not enough time for the usual schedule.
Treatment – There is no specific treatment for acute Hepatitis B, only supportive treatment is available. However, with chronic hepatitis there are some medications that can help reduce the incidence of complications such as scarring of the liver or liver cancer.
Further information - https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/50/hepatitis-b
Disease and transmission – A common viral disease spread via the air, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is seasonal and each hemisphere will have their season at different times of year
Symptoms – High fever, tiredness, headache, sore throat and muscle and joint aches.
Prevention – Following good respiratory and hand hygiene with help reduce the risk of infection. There is a seasonal flu vaccine that can be repeated annually if required. Risk is not increased by travelling unless visiting very crowded places.
Treatment – Mainly supportive treatment but in certain circumstance antiviral drugs may be administered.
Vaccination - The flu vaccine gives the best protection against flu. Seasonal influenza vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there's still a chance you might get flu, however if you do get flu after vaccination, it's likely to be milder and not last as long. Having the flu vaccine will also reduce the chance of you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of serious problems from flu. Influenza vaccines are repeated annually.
Disease and transmission
Measles, mumps, and rubella (also known as German measles) are highly infectious viral diseases that can lead to serious and life changing medical conditions, such as deafness partial sight loss and learning disabilities.
Usually spread by coughing and sneezing. Of the three, measles is most severe and complications can involve lungs or the brain. Worldwide the World Health Organization estimates that around 400 people die from measles every day.
Symptoms
Measles - usually starts with cold-like symptoms, high temperature, blocked or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, red, sore, watery eyes then followed by a rash. Some people will have spots in their mouth.
Mumps the most recognisable symptom is the painful swelling on the sideS of face. Other symptoms include headache, joint pains and a high temperature.
Rubella - spotty rash starting on face or behind the ears, spreading to neck and body. Can take 2-3 weeks for rash to appear. Other symptoms - aching joints, a high temperature, coughs, sneezing , headaches, a sore throat and red, sore eyes.
Prevention
The MMR is a live vaccine and the completed course is 2 vaccinations at least 4 weeks apart and this can give lifelong protection.
Historically the MR vaccine was available but only covered Measles and Rubella but not Mumps. and the measles coverage gained from this vaccination is not as high as the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine that was brought into the UK immunisation schedule in 1988 as a single dose and then from 1996 as being a two dose vaccination course.
There is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism – the Doctor whose study which claimed this to be the case which was published in 1998, has been struck off the medical register.
Treatment
Seek medical advice if you notice a new rash or have symptoms. Call your GP as a phone call maybe more appropriate as viral disease can spread to others. Stay hydrated, rest and take paracetamol.