There's been a lot of buzz this week about the promise of a malaria vaccine that is currently in clinical trials across Africa. While the news is encouraging, it will be some time before a vaccine is widely administered to travelers; the most recent vaccine trial has shown a 50% success rate - promising, but [...]
The Lab
This category provides information about specific diseases, parasites and viruses that a traveler may encounter on their journey. In addition to information about prevention and treatment, you can find information on travel vaccinations and immunizations.
Dengue fever is a mosquito borne infectious disease found in many tropical areas. Worldwide, dengue is not as destructive as malaria, but it does have the potential to be fatal and there is currently no vaccine. In this post, we discuss signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment. Dengue fever is found in many parts of [...]
There is a lot of misinformation floating around about malaria. Some of the remarks I've heard are slightly off base. Others are downright foolish. Before we get into it, I want to include our standard, but no less important, disclaimer: make sure you consult a doctor at a travel health clinic several weeks before traveling. [...]
First things first, as we mentioned in our article on travel immunizations, rabies is something that should be discussed with a doctor at a travel health clinic. Travelers rarely get rabies, but it is a potentially fatal disease and it exists almost everywhere in the world. This article will cover how to prevent and treat [...]
According to the Carter Center, "in terms of socioeconomic and public health impact, schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever, is second only to malaria as the most devastating parasitic disease in tropical countries." 207 million people worldwide are infected with Schistosomiasis. Thankfully, it is also one of the most avoidable diseases for travelers. [...]
Depending on where you are going, you might not need any vaccinations at all. On the other hand, you might need two arms worth. For many forms of international travel, getting stuck by a bunch of needles is a rite of passage. Here you will find: what travel immunizations and vaccinations you need to get [...]
Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the single celled organism Giardia. Expect some combination of diarrhea, bloating, vomiting and nausea. Also, sulphur smelling burps - this is one of the most commonly reported symptoms with giardiasis. Long-term infections can cause weight loss, malnutrition and loss of appetite. Giardiasis may be less alarming than other [...]
If you have travel plans for South America or Sub-Saharan Africa, you have probably heard about Yellow Fever. Yet another in the long line of mosquito transmitted diseases, yellow fever is a disease which can truly mess you up if you don't take the necessary steps for prevention. Named for the yellowing of the skin [...]
There are many illnesses that a traveler can encounter while on the road. Most people are familiar with malaria, hepatitis, and yellow fever, a vaccination for which is required to travel in many countries. Lesser known are some truly terrifying (and disgusting) organisms that give travel health disaster a whole new meaning. You are unlikely [...]
While traveling Northern Mali in the fall of 2010, I came down with a horrific case of amoebic dysentery. When the symptoms began, I assumed I had traveler's diarrhea, which would last a day or two - uncomfortable and inconvenient, but nothing serious. When I started shitting blood, I realized something more sinister was at [...]
