Disease - Travel Healthy

Learn More About Common Diseases That You Might Contract

Travelling overseas can be an incredible experience but it can expose you to a number of infectious diseases. This is a result of low vaccination rates, differences in the water and sanitation standards, changing climate and insects carrying diseases across different countries.

It is important to plan and prepare your trip to reduce your risk of infectious diseases. Taking the steps to prevent your risk includes researching your destination, being aware of the health risks, seeing our travel pharmacists and doctor for advice and prescriptions and getting up to date with the relevant vaccinations.

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Contact, Droplet and Air-borne Diseases

Contact, droplet and airborne diseases are transmitted by direct or indirect contact with a person who is infected with the following diseases:

Transmission can occur by:

To reduce your risk of contact, droplet and airborne diseases:

Food & Waterborne Diseases

Water or food-borne diseases can be transmitted by:

Drinking contaminated water
Eating foods that have been contaminated due to poor hygiene practices by people preparing the meals
Foods stored in poor conditions that have been spoiled
Brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth with contaminated water or tap water
Washing your face with contaminated water or tap water
Washing and preparing foods with contaminated water or tap water
Drinks containing ice cubes made with tap water
Engaging in activities in contaminated waters
eg. swimming

Some water and food-borne diseases include:

There are a number of ways to reduce your risk of getting water or foodborne diseases. These include:

Getting vaccinated against hepatitis A, typhoid
and cholera
Washing hands and/or use hand sanitiser especially before eating
Drinking bottled, boiled or treated water. Ensure the seal of the bottled water is intact before drinking
Using water purification tablets or bottled water to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth
Avoiding ice cubes in drinks
Peeling skin of fruits

Avoiding table water at restaurants
Eating foods that have just been cooked, prepared and steaming hot. Avoid foods that have been prepared for a while and left in room temperature
Foods in sterile and sealed packages are generally safe eg. Crisp chips
Avoiding fresh salads, raw vegetables and seafood eg. Sashimi
Avoiding in activities in contaminated or freshwater
In some places you may need to avoid swimming or wading in any freshwater

Insect-borne Diseases

Many countries in tropical climates carry insect-borne diseases, many of which can be serious and even fatal. It is important to ensure you reduce your risk by taking some practical preventive measures even if you have been vaccinated or are taking preventive medications.

Insect borne diseases are most common in Asia, central America, Africa and the Pacific. However, with changing climates and international travel, there are parts of Australia, Europe and the United States that are now seeing cases of mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquito borne diseases include:

Yellow Fever and Japanese Encephalitis vaccinations are the only available for mosquito-borne diseases.

If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, please speak to your doctor before travelling to areas affected by Zika.

Here are some ways to avoid insect bites:

Stay inside during mornings and evenings when mosquitoes are active.
Use air-conditioning, fans and window screens
Use mosquito nets in the bedroom.
Wear long-sleeved clothes and covered shoes
Avoid bright coloured or dark clothes. Wear light coloured clothes

Treat clothes with suitable insecticides
Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or picaridin. Reapply as instructed on the label
Apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent
Check for areas where still water is present eg, in empty containers. Remove, drain or avoid those areas.

Disease Caused by Animals</span

Rabies is a serious viral infection spread by animals which affects the brain and nerves. It is spread through the saliva of an animal infected by rabies.

You can be exposed to rabies when an infected animal:

The most common animals with rabies are dogs, monkeys, foxes, cats or bats.

While all continents (except for Antarctica) carry a risk of rabies, the risk is higher across Asia, Africa and Central and South America.

Prevent your exposure to rabies by:

Talking to our travel pharmacist or doctor at least 6 weeks before travelling to high risk areas
Being vaccinated for rabies if recommended. This will depend on your activity and level of exposure
Avoiding contact with animals even house pets
Supervising children closely
Washing your hands well after contact with animals
Not carrying food with you in areas with monkeys
Being cautious when engaging in outdoor activities such as trekking or cycling that may provoke an animal attack
Not eating raw or undercooked meat or animal products

If you have been exposed to rabies, you must immediately:

Wash all bites and scratches thoroughly with soap and water for at least 5 minutes. If there has been contact
with your eyes, nose or mouth, thoroughly wash with
clean water.
Apply an antiseptic solution with povidone-iodine or ethanol after washing
Seek immediate medical assistance for assessment of the wound and your risk of exposure. Treatment includes post-exposure rabies vaccination and rabies immunoglobulin

Symptoms of rabies may appear around 3-10 weeks after exposure if left untreated. Without treatment, it is almost always fatal.

Early signs and symptoms may include:

Later signs and symptoms may include:

Act fast and do NOT wait to see if your wound is serious even if you have been vaccinated against rabies.

Bloodborne Infectious Diseases

Bloodborne infectious diseases can be transmitted by blood or bodily fluids that contain blood.

Transmission can occur through:

Certain activities that increase your risk of blood borne diseases when travelling include:

The most common blood borne diseases are:

You can reduce your risk of blood-borne diseases by:

Getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B. It is important to still take preventative steps to reduce your risk even if you are vaccinated
Avoiding contact with any objects or surfaces that could be contaminated with blood or body fluids
Not sharing needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment
Avoiding tattoos, piercings, acupuncture and haircuts
Ensuring all equipment used for procedures are sterile and for single use

Practicing safe sex
Not sharing toothbrushes, razors, piercings and
personal items that may be contaminated with blood
r bodily fluids
Avoiding medical tourism eg. cosmetic and dental procedures. Research the practice to ensure they have a high infection control standards
Carrying your own travel first aid kit to ensure you have access to sterile supplies

If you have been exposed, please seek medical care without delay.

Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs)

STIs are infections or diseases transmitted during unprotected sex (including vaginal, anal and oral sex) with an infected partner. It may also occur through skin to skin contact.

STIs may present with or without signs and symptoms.

Some common STIs include: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, HIV/AIDS and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Reducing your risk of STIs

It is important to reduce your risk of STIs as some can cause serious illness and long term complications if left untreated eg. infertility.

The best way to protect you and your partner from STIs is to take preventative measures.

Reduce your risk of infection by:

Correct use of your own condoms (from a quality manufacturer) at all times. Ensure condoms are stored correctly and used within their expiry date.
Getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Seeing your doctor if you have had unprotected sex or suspect an STI infection. It is important to seek early treatment to prevent long term complications and to prevent spreading the infection.

Are You Ready to Get The Most Out of Your Travel Experience?

Your next best trip starts with a 30-minute travel health consultation. We’ll go over your medical history and make recommendations based on your specific destination and medical needs. Armed with up-to-date information and personalised travel products, you’ll be set to start your adventure and experience everything.