Australia has a fabulous economy and health system. Our children die at the rate of 6 per 1000 under the age of one. Many overseas countries have a rate approaching 100 deaths per 1000 newborn children. The diseases that kill these children we have never been exposed to and we as adults (or our children) can catch them. We are not immune to these, and many Australians have never even heard of some of them!
Click on the various diseases in the tab above for a detailed explanation, or scroll down for a summary.
Diseases we think you should consider vaccination for....
Hepatitis A
• A seriously debilitating disease lasting 3 months or longer
• Contracted from food and water in developing countries
• Preventable by vaccine
• 2 doses of vaccine give life cover
• Over 40 year olds can die from this disease
• Alcohol must be avoided for 6 months if you contract this disease
• Once you have Hepatitis A, you are highly contagious to others
• Incubation period is 2-3 weeks, so you may contract this on holiday and spread it to your friends or work colleagues
• Vaccination is highly effective
Hepatitis B
• A seriously debilitating disease lasting for the rest of your (shortened) life
• Contracted by medical procedure, assault, accident, blood splash, or lifestyle misadventure (exchange of bodily fluids)
• Preventable by vaccine, but not treatable if you get it
• 3 doses of vaccine over 4 months gives life cover, but the first 2 doses will cover you for your trip
• If contracted, this disease is often fatal
• Alcohol must be avoided for 6 months if you contract this disease
• Once you have Hepatitis B, you are highly contagious to close family members, and your sexual partner.
Hepatitis C
• Essentially the same as Hepatitis B but..
• Not preventable by vaccination
Typhoid
• Food and water borne disease usually resulting in hospitalisation (severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain)
• Most prevalent in developing nations (a well known terrorist possibly caught this and died!)
• Preventable by vaccination, many strains exist. Previous illness does not help immunity.
• Oral vaccine is also available.
Yellow Fever
• Vaccination required for entry and exit from some countries, especially entry to Australia
• Advisable to have the vaccine if visiting countries in parts of Africa and South America- see map
• Highly fatal disease
• Spread by mosquitoes
• The vaccine possibly has some side effects (flu like symptoms, sometimes worse)
• Special precautions suggested if immune system affected and vaccination contemplated
• Vaccination only available at licensed clinics such as Travel-Bug Vaccination Clinics
• Must be over 9 months of age to receive vaccination
• Vaccination lasts 10 years
• Certificate required at airports, and is provided at Travel-Bug.
Rabies
• A fatal disease in every case (there has been only one survivor ever!)
• Vaccination possible: 3 doses + 1dose a year later gives life cover
• If bitten when unvaccinated, rabies immunoglobulin is required. This is a blood product and in short supply.
• Prevalent in most overseas countries.
• Only carried by all mammals, not just dogs.
• Incubation period 10 days ------up to 17 years. Once symptoms are apparent, treatment is not possible.
• Life long vaccination available, so regular travellers should consider this.
Meningococcal Meningitis
• A highly fatal disease, rapidly progressive (48 hours)
• Spread by droplet infection from other people.
• Preventable by vaccine
• Vaccination recommended for 16-25 year olds especially if dormitory style accommodations or those visiting endemic areas..see map
• Vaccination lasts 3 years, but a life long vaccine is available overseas
• Meningitis C vaccine given in school is not adequate cover for travel
• Required for entry to Saudi Arabia during Hajj.
Japanese Encephalitis
• Transmitted by mosquitoes in rural areas.
• Rice paddocks and pig farms are required for mosquitoes.
• Vaccine recommended for travellers to endemic zone (the warmer parts of Asia) for over 1-2 months.
• Very expensive (over $200).
• Vaccine course minimum time period is 14 days + 10 days before flight permitted.
• Vaccination has some side effects.
Childhood Vaccinations
• It is very important to have these up to date
Tetanus
Diphtheria .................. These 4 are available as 1 injection
Polio
Whooping Cough
Measles
Mumps ....................These 3 are available as 1 injection
Rubella
Chicken Pox 2 doses required
• These diseases are more common overseas, but you can also catch them here
• Please research this information before your appointment.... It will save you money if you have already had them!!!
Malaria
• Spread by mosquitoes....use repellant eg Repel
• Vaccination is not possible, prevention is by taking medication whilst away, and for 7-28 days after you leave the area..
• For the correct medication a specialist in travel medicine should be consulted
• Many areas do not need medication (e.g. most resorts)
• Africa and the Solomon’s are the worst destinations for malaria
• Repellent is a vital part of the preventative strategy.
Dengue Fever
• Spread by day biting mosquitoes
• No vaccine
• No treatment
• Recovery eventually
• 1 – 2 weeks of being severely unwell with flu like illness
• Repellent containing DEET advised (Repel).
Altitude Sickness
• If travelling over 3000m, this can effect you
• Diamox (inexpensive),will improve your chances of avoiding this( careful if you have sulfa allergy)
• People do die from this, and the tablets do not mask the disease, they prevent it!
• Predicting who will get this is not possible.
Diarrhoea/Cholera/E Coli
• Caused by eating and drinking contaminated water
• E Coli is a very common cause, cholera less so
• “Dukoral” vaccine is an effective prevention
• Oral vaccination, 2 doses required 1 – 2 weeks apart, becomes fully effective 2 weeks after last dose.
Tuberculosis
Vaccine usually only for kids travelling in excess of 6 months to a developing nation.
Tick Borne Encephalitis
Useful if you are hiking in Europe or Asia.
Vaccine not available in Australia.
Immunoglobulin
This is an older product which was once used to prevent Hepatitis A.
It is a blood product.
It is no longer approved for this use and is very expensive to produce(over $200 per dose).
Influenza
It is highly recommended for tourists travelling to a wintry destination on a guided tour or cruise to have this.
Measles
A severe illness forgotten by the masses.
If you are born between1966 and 1981 your childhood dose of vaccine has worn off. The system has given 2 doses to the younger members of the community.( Government agencies have now worked it out!)
Each person needs to have 2 doses of the vaccine (or to have had the measles!)
