- Yellow Fever: This serious disease attacks the liver, resulting in jaundice and fever. It is endemic to several central African countries and in northern parts of South America.
It is transmitted by disease-carrying mosquitoes. Immunisation against yellow fever gives complete protection, becomes effective 10 days after the jab and lasts for 10 years.
- Cholera: This very severe bowel infection results in diarrhoea, followed by vomiting and muscular cramps.
The greatest risk is dehydration. Bacteria that cause cholera are excreted in faeces. If water becomes contaminated by the bacteria - in other words, if faeces ends up in that water - and it is used for food preparation or drinking, cholera results. Cholera exists in Africa, (including this country), the Middle East and some parts of South America.
Immunisation is recommended. Its protection wears off after six months.
- Typhoid Fever: This is spread by faecal contamination of water or food.
The bacteria causing typhoid are of the salmonella group. Symptoms include headaches, fever, constipation or diarrhoea, and a chest or abdominal rash. Typhoid exists where sanitation is poor. The vaccination offers good protection.
- Tetanus: This bacterial infection affects the nervous system, causing rigidity, muscle spasms (hence the name lockjaw) and even death.
The bacteria are common in soil or animal droppings and enter the body through a cut or skin wound. If you've been immunised, a booster injection may still be necessary.
- Hepatitis: Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver, spread by faecal contamination of water and food, but also by direct contact with an infected person.
Symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, fever, abdominal pain and jaundice.
Travel clinics will give you information about inoculations
Phone the British Airways/Medcare clinic in in Sandton on 011-807-3132.
- HIV/Aids: Travel means meeting people, socialising and getting to know one and another.
The reality is that sex does happen among strangers and acquaintances. The only sex is safe sex. Aids is a life-threatening disease. Never, ever have sexual relations with anyone without using a condom.
- Malaria: If you are visiting a malarial area, take anti-malarial precautions.
Doctors say that some people could contract malaria even if they have taken full courses of anti-malaria medication, but the illness will be milder than if those travellers had taken no medication.
If you have been in a malarial area and you travel overseas and find yourself getting ill in Europe, the US, the Caribbean, or anywhere where malaria is not known, you must inform the doctors treating you that you have been in a malarial area. The same applies for any tropical disease.
Symptoms of malaria are flu-like. They include headaches, sore throats, feeling thick-headed, a temperature and aching joints.
There are several instances where people returned home (or travelled overseas), got ill and were not treated for malaria, and ended up dead.
If malaria, or any tropical disease, is diagnosed, it can be speedily treated, with a good chance of recovery.
Speak to a travel clinic to find out which medication is effective against the present strains of malaria. Since malaria is such a far-reaching and dangerous disease, new and more effective malaria tablets are constantly being developed.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you are in a malarial area, especially at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. If you are walking through tropical rainforests during the day, wear covering garments. Mosquitoes breed in dark, damp areas.
Casual clothing which has been impregnated with an anti-mosquito substance is available at the better stores catering for outdoor living, camping and adventure travel.
Always wear mosquito repellent.