The Traveller's Doctor

Encepahlitis

Encepahlitis is communicated to humans by blood feeding arthropods (ticks and mosquitos). The majority of human infections are asymptomatic or may result in a nonspecific flu-like syndrome. Onset may be insidious or sudden with fever, headache, myalgias, malaise and occasionally prostration. Infection may, however, lead to encephalitis, with a fatal outcome or permanent neurologic sequelae. Fortunately, only a small proportion of infected persons progress to frank encephalitis.

There are no commercially...

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (Hep A), which is transmitted person-to-person by ingestion of contaminated food or water or through direct contact with an infectious person. The incubation period is between two and six weeks (on average 28 days). In developing countries, and in regions with poor hygiene standards, the incidence of infection with this virus is high. Tens...

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infectious inflammatory illness of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).Unlike hepatitis A, hepatitis B does not generally spread through water and food. The virus is transmitted by exposure to infectious blood or body fluids and can be communicated perinatally from mother to baby.  Other risk factors for developing HBV infection include working in a healthcare setting, transfusions, and dialysis, acupuncture, tattooing, extended overseas...

Malaria

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals. The disease results from the multiplication of parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases progressing to coma or death. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas.There were an estimated 225 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2009.An estimated 655,000 people...

Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness that is caused by the type of meningococcus bacteria. The bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions but are are not as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu. This disease is more likely to affect you children and young adults aged 16 to 25.

The symptoms of meningococcal meningitis can appear quickly or over several days....

Meningitis

Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses, but meningitis can also be caused by physical injury, cancer or certain drugs. The severity of illness and the treatment for meningitis differ depending...

Polio

Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that lives in the throat and intestinal tract. It is most often spread through person-to-person contact with the stool of an infected person and may also be spread through oral/nasal secretions. It is crippling and potentially fatal. There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines.

About 4-8% of infected persons have minor symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, nausea, headache,...

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a common worldwide bacterial disease, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Typhoid does not affect animals and therefore transmission is only from human to human. The bacteria which causes typhoid fever may be spread through poor hygiene habits and public sanitation conditions, and sometimes also by flying insects feeding on feces. Therefore sanitation, hygiene and careful food...

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a potentially deadly virus spread through the bite of infected female mosquitos and is found in tropical and subtropical areas in South America and Africa. Since the 1980s, the number of cases of yellow fever has been increasing, making it a re-emerging disease.

Generally the virus presents with symptoms such as fever, nausea, and pain and it generally subsides after several days. However in some patients, a toxic...