Travel Health & Vaccinations

Malaria is passed to humans by infected Mosquitoes, and the treatment of choice is prevention of mosquito bites especially at dusk and overnight. Sleeping under a mosquito net and using repellents, and covering up are all important habits to adopt in endemic areas. It can be fatal, and early medical intervention is ALWAYS advised. The symptoms are like a severe flu, occurring about 7-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, however symptoms have been known to occur up to a year later. Anti-malarial treatments are tablets that are a nuisance to remember to take, but they could save your life.

The typical vaccinations required are Hepatitis A and Typhoid, but other vaccinations like Rabies, Japanese B encephalitis and perhaps most important of all Yellow Fever, may be required. In the case of Yellow fever, you may need to carry a certificate to prove that you have been vaccinated in order to get into some countries as a visitor! Other vaccinations are for Hepatitis B and Meningitis ACW and Y.

Malaria prevention is essential for many countries too, and the Malaria map changes slightly with the migration of mosquito populations. The type of preventive medication changes too as resistance builds up in certain areas so it is very important to receive the most up to date information about taking Malaria tablets during and after your stay.

We would always encourage people to seek medical advice about vaccinations as the recommendations for various countries change, often from month to month.

Hepatitis A is a reasonably common Gastrointestinal infection which can give you vomiting and diarrhoea and also a liver infection. This is rarely fatal, but is serious enough to require hospital admission some times. This is passed to humans by the hand to mouth route, and usually because someone who has been preparing food for you has had poor hand hygiene. You cannot prevent other people from having poor personal habits, but you can be vaccinated against this.

Typhoid fever is a serious and life threatening infection which can cause multiple organ failure. It is a bacterial infection in the salmonella family and is highly contagious in endemic areas. Poor sanitation is associated with this infection  and it is rare in the developed world. The vaccination protects most people but obeying the hygiene rules is also important as the vaccine is not 100% protective. For those not vaccinated treatment with prompt intravenous antibiotics is usually curative.

Rabies is a viral infection which targets the brain and is transmitted from animals to humans by biting- the usual suspects being dogs, rats, bats, cats and monkeys. It is important to get prompt medical supportive treatment as this is not curable by a course of tablets etc, and can cause serious illness and often is fatal.

Japanese encephalitis is also a viral infection passed from animals or insects (like mosquitoes) to humans. It is usually seen in rural areas with lots of water and woodland – rice fields or swamps. It is a serious infection requiring hospital treatment too.

Yellow fever is still a very serious viral infection in sub Saharan Africa, and some parts of South America and the Caribbean. It is rare, but very serious. It is a high fever with headaches, nausea and vomiting and muscle aching. In 15 % of people it is very serious with jaundice indicating liver failure, kidney failure and half of this group will die. Vaccination is protective for up to 10 years, BUT, it must be given at least 10 days before travel to an endemic area. You may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to be able to gain entry into some countries, especially if travelling through an endemic country to another country.