Recalling the 'Legionnaires' Disease' post back in February, it was reported that "the total number of confirmed cases is 52, while the number of
suspected cases is at 48" (http://tinyurl.com/7tebrer) in Edinburgh.
I am travelling to Vietnam and Laos for a month with my school and thought I would look into two of the illnesses that can be caught from spending time in these countries (Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies).
Japanese Encephalitis. This "can be a serious illness causing inflammation of the brain, caused by a virus" (http://tinyurl.com/dys8sc7) and is transmitted by "the bite of infected mosquitoes, not transmitted between humans" (http://tinyurl.com/dys8sc7). The vaccine is recommended for travelling to East Asia as can be seen on this map http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/233802-overview which shows the predominant area where it occurs (there is also more information about the virrus itself on this website.
I mentioned that it 'can be serious' and this is because it is "usually a mild illness with no symptoms, only around 1 in 200 having the serious illness" (http://tinyurl.com/dys8sc7) where "encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) occurs. This can cause permanent brain damage and is fatal in some cases" (http://tinyurl.com/dys8sc7).
Rabies. As most of you know it is passed on from the bite or scratch of an animal infected with the rabies virus. "The virus passes through the cut skin and travels (gradually) into the nervous system. It causes spasms, fear of water, madness, paralysis and usually death" (http://tinyurl.com/d6bw8n4). It is therefore a very serious illness, just like Japanese Encephalitis in the cases where it does cause encephalitis. To immunise yourself from rabies there is a series of injections which "stimulate your body to make antibodies against the rabies virus" (http://tinyurl.com/d6bw8n4). If you are bitten then it is recommended that you "clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical help" with "symptoms usually starting 2-8 weeks after however, symptoms may occur months or even years after" (http://tinyurl.com/d6bw8n4).
Both of these illnesses are serious and are worth considering for immunisation before travelling, especially if travelling to the areas where they occur, such as South East Asia. Whatever the illness or wherever you are travelling you should always research the diseases/illnesses from that country so that you can go to your doctor with an idea of the immunisations you will need to have/discuss having. A very good website for finding out about illnesses is http://www.patient.co.uk/.
As I am away for a month this will be the last before I get back but I have work experience on the two days after I get back so will update you then.
I am travelling to Vietnam and Laos for a month with my school and thought I would look into two of the illnesses that can be caught from spending time in these countries (Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies).
Japanese Encephalitis. This "can be a serious illness causing inflammation of the brain, caused by a virus" (http://tinyurl.com/dys8sc7) and is transmitted by "the bite of infected mosquitoes, not transmitted between humans" (http://tinyurl.com/dys8sc7). The vaccine is recommended for travelling to East Asia as can be seen on this map http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/233802-overview which shows the predominant area where it occurs (there is also more information about the virrus itself on this website.
I mentioned that it 'can be serious' and this is because it is "usually a mild illness with no symptoms, only around 1 in 200 having the serious illness" (http://tinyurl.com/dys8sc7) where "encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) occurs. This can cause permanent brain damage and is fatal in some cases" (http://tinyurl.com/dys8sc7).
Rabies. As most of you know it is passed on from the bite or scratch of an animal infected with the rabies virus. "The virus passes through the cut skin and travels (gradually) into the nervous system. It causes spasms, fear of water, madness, paralysis and usually death" (http://tinyurl.com/d6bw8n4). It is therefore a very serious illness, just like Japanese Encephalitis in the cases where it does cause encephalitis. To immunise yourself from rabies there is a series of injections which "stimulate your body to make antibodies against the rabies virus" (http://tinyurl.com/d6bw8n4). If you are bitten then it is recommended that you "clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical help" with "symptoms usually starting 2-8 weeks after however, symptoms may occur months or even years after" (http://tinyurl.com/d6bw8n4).
Both of these illnesses are serious and are worth considering for immunisation before travelling, especially if travelling to the areas where they occur, such as South East Asia. Whatever the illness or wherever you are travelling you should always research the diseases/illnesses from that country so that you can go to your doctor with an idea of the immunisations you will need to have/discuss having. A very good website for finding out about illnesses is http://www.patient.co.uk/.
As I am away for a month this will be the last before I get back but I have work experience on the two days after I get back so will update you then.
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