Travel Medicine (cont.)
What about diseases for which there is no vaccine or preventive medication?
There are several diseases of concern for travelers for which there is no
vaccine or medicine to prevent infection. Among these are some viral infections,
sexually transmitted diseases, and parasitic infections.
Many viral infections can be spread by biting insects such as ticks or
mosquitoes. These include serious infections like hemorrhagic fever, a viral
infection that causes high fever and bleeding. Another virus causes Chikungunya
fever, which is common in Africa and Asia. Spread by mosquitoes, Chikungunya
fever causes high fever and severe joint pain and usually lasts for days or
weeks. Another viral illness is dengue fever, which occurs throughout the world
in tropical areas. Symptoms of dengue fever are high fever, headache, and
occasionally bleeding (hemorrhage). The key to reducing the risk of getting
these infections is to follow insect precautions (see section on insect
precautions).
Sexually transmitted diseases can be acquired anywhere in the world. The only
sure way to prevent disease is to abstain from sexual intercourse. Use of
condoms will reduce risk.
Parasites occur in most areas of the world, but are especially common in
tropical and subtropical regions. Some are spread by eating contaminated food
(see food and water precautions), while others are spread by direct contact with
infected water or soil. Most travelers do not get parasitic infections, but
those who are going into rural areas of developing countries should ask their
doctors about parasites they might encounter.
Next: What is safe to eat and drink while traveling? »
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