Latest Blog Posts
CHOLERA -- Avoiding This Deadly Risk While Traveling
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection causing profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, circulatory collapse and shock. Many cholera infections are associated with a profuse loss of bodily fluids, and if left untreated, 25-50% of severe cholera cases can be fatal, sometimes within hours of the first symptom onset. The most common source of cholera transmission is through inadvertant ingestion of food and water that has been contaminated with fecal matter from cholera-infected persons. Cholera...Read more
INFLUENZA – “The Real Flu”
INFLUENZA – “The Real Flu” Influenza (the "flu") is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. In this country, serious outcomes of flu infection result in hospitalizations for 200,000 persons each year, and death for about 36,000 each year. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, HIV, cancer, and morbid obesity) are at...Read more
Advice for Travelers on Travelers Diarrhea
Traveler’s diarrhea is considered the most predictable illness related to travel. The actual impact on travelers is between 30 and 70 percent, depending on the destination. In the past, this issue was believed to be preventable if a traveler used the following recommendation: “boil it, peel it, or forget it.” However, studies have discovered that people using this credo are still suffering from the illness. The most high-risk travel destinations for this disease include the Middle...Read more
Important Information about the Zika Virus for Travelers
Traveling abroad is a popular activity for many Americans. Regardless of whether this travel is for business or pleasure, or for a religious or medical aid mission, being fully aware of the environment you will be entering is important. A vital part of this preparation is knowing what types of diseases are present at your destination and knowing how to ensure you are protected during your travel. Some of the most popular destinations for travelers include South America, the Caribbean, and...Read more
Tips to Prevent Malaria while Traveling Abroad
In humans, malaria is the result of exposure to one of four different protozoan species. Each of the four species has to be transmitted by an infected, female mosquito. There are some situations where the transmission of malaria occurs congenitally (from the mother to a fetus) or by blood transfusion. Signs and Symptoms of Malaria A fever and flu-like symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, headache, and chills are the main indications of malaria. The symptoms experienced are often seen in...Read more