Had a really bad case of this, took me months to get rid of it...Ended up having to take a strong dose of mobile disconnection antivirus combined with the ongoing treatment know as "spam" to fix the problem! Unfortunately it is highly contagious and moves through the western male population quickly and is very hard to contain once you have been in contact for three days or more.
The best prevention is to take a full course of butterfly antibodies during your trip, keep control of the alcohol content and importantly “Keep Moving On”
On a serious note, here is some information put out by the Travel Doctor here in Australia. It pretty much explains evrything you need to know. You can download the full 3 page fact sheet at: http://www.traveldoc...factsheets.html
Hepatitis A
This is a viral disease of the liver which is transmitted through eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. It is the most common vaccine preventable disease that occurs in travellers to less developed areas of the world. It is strongly recommended for travel to Thailand.
Hepatitis B
This is a viral disease of the liver that is transmitted via blood, blood products or bodily fluids. It is vaccine preventable. Hepatitis B immunisation is now part of the childhood immunisation schedule. Many adult travellers have missed this very important immunisation & travel may be a good reason for vaccination. The vaccine is currently provided to all children as part of our childhood immunisation program.
Typhoid
Typhoid Fever is caused by a bacteria found in contaminated food & water. It is endemic in the developing world & vaccination is recommended for travellers to areas where environmental sanitation & personal hygiene may be poor. The adventurous eater venturing ‘off the beaten’ path should certainly consider vaccination.
Tetanus, Pertussis & Diphtheria Measles, Mumps & Rubella
Tetanus is caused by a toxin released by a common dust or soil bacteria, which enters the body through a wound. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the throat & occasionally of the skin. It is found worldwide & is transmitted from person-to-person by coughing & sneezing.
Pertussis(Whooping cough) is a highly infectious respiratory infection responsible for 300,000 deaths annually, mainly in children. Diphtheria & pertussis vaccines can be added to the tetanus vaccine. Because many adults no longer have immunity from childhood immunisation it is advised that travellers to less developed countries have tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis booster. Childhood immunisation coverage in many developing countries is not good. As such, travellers under the age of 40 years should have their measles, mumps & rubella immunisation complete. Those over the age of 40 years are most likely to have long term immunity from previous exposure as a child. Chickenpox This very common infectious disease can now be prevented through immunisation. Many people miss the disease in childhood only to have a significant illness as an adult. Travel puts one at higher exposure & if one cannot elicit a history of having had the illness a test can show whether at risk.
Influenza
Individuals intending to travel out of an Australian winter might consider the current flu vaccine at the beginning of the season. Exposure to illness in airports & commuter transport is common & exposure may ruin a much needed break. In fact, influenza is likely to be the commonest vaccine preventable disease faced by travellers.
Malaria
Malaria is transmitted by a night biting mosquito. The risk of exposure is low in Thailand, especially in the areas frequented by travellers, such as the beach resorts, Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai. While the risk is very low it is not NIL & why discussing your particular trip with a travel medicine specialist is important. Medications to reduce the risk of disease are not generally recommended but any illness which is fu-like in nature after returning should still be checked for malaria.
Dengue Fever
Dengue (pronounced den-gee) Fever is a viral disease with fu like symptoms that is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine for dengue fever & prevention is based upon insect avoidance via repellents, nets & insecticides.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Rabies Traveller’s Diarrhoea
JE is a mosquito borne viral disease prevalent in rural areas of Asia & Indonesia that can lead to serious brain infection in humans. Risk is usually greatest during the monsoon months. A vaccine is available & is particularly recommended for adults & children over 12 months of age who will be spending a month or more in rice growing areas of countries at risk (or who repeatedly visit such areas). It is also recommended for people travelling to an area where an outbreak is known to be occurring. Insect avoidance should be considered the primary means of defence.
Rabies is a deadly viral infection of the brain transmitted to humans. The disease itself is rare in travellers, but the risk increases with extended travel & the likelihood of animal contact. The best way to avoid rabies is too avoid all contact with animals. Dogs are the main carriers; however monkeys, bats, cats & other animals may also transmit the disease. Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for extended travel & those who work with, or are likely to come in contact with animals.
Up to 40% of tourists may develop 3 or more loose bowel motions a day within the first week of travel. A variety of germs can be responsible for this infection & a Traveller’s Medical Kit containing appropriate therapy can rapidly improve the symptoms. It is also important to follow the rules of healthy eating & drinking to minimise risks.