Friday, 20 January 2012

Health and Saftey



While traveling to a different country many perceptions have to be taken to make sure that you stay healthy during and after your trip. When you travel to Thailand you are at risk for Adult Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B ,Measles, Mumps & Rubella ,Polio ,Typhoid ,Varicella ,Influenza ,Japanese B Encephalitis ,Rabies ,Tuberculosis. People are recommended by the World Health Organization to get shots for all of these illnesses before traveling to Thailand or surrounding areas. The list that follows is more information on the diseases.


For Diphtheria and Tetanus a booster is given to prevent contracting them


Diphtheria is a diseased caused by someone ingesting the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The bacteria can grow on food or other foreign objects making it very dangerous. The Corynebacterium diphtheria courses black and thick fibers that cover various airway, affects the throat and nose . Then this bacteria produces its own toxins that can spread into your blood stream and organs and in turn damaging them. Although having no symptoms is common there are some symptoms you might want to look out for such as  bloody, watery drainage from nose, Breathing problems, Chills, Croup-like (barking) cough,Drooling, drooling, fever, painful swallowing, skin lesions (usually seen in tropical areas).


Tetanus is coused by a bacteria called clostridium tetani that affects the nervous system. This bacteria enters your body by entering a open wound. Once in your system the bacteria spread and create a  toxin called tetnospasmin. Tetnospasmin will attach to the spinal cords and muscles,  which block the nerves system signals, causing muscle spasims. These spasims can fracture the spine or tear muscles. Symptoms can start anywhere between 7 to 21 day of contracting this virus and these symptoms are drooling, hand or foot spasms, fever, defecation, trouble swallowing, and irritability.


Measles, Mumps & Rubella can be prevented by Two doses of MMR .

Measles is a virus that is highly contagious.  People contract measles by getting coming in contact with an infected persons mucus or saliva. This includes being sneezed or coughed on. A rash will start on your head  and work its way down the body. Irritation or redness of the eyes are commom to  Symptoms will occur approximately 8-12 days after being infected. Some symptoms are Blood shot eyes, fever light sensitivity, muscle pain  Rash. From the 3rd  to 5th day of being exposed to measles you will start to show symptoms. 

The Mumps is a disease that make your salivary glands swell and it is very contagious. The swelling is very painful. The mumps virus is spread by repertory droplets or coming in contact with an object with infected saliva or mucus. Mumps can affect your testes, pancreas and central nervous system. Some symptoms may include a fever, headache, sore throat, face pain, and swelling of the temples or jaw.


Rubella is a contagious infection that is spread through the air and creates a rash on the skin. The rash will appear on the skin about one week after contracting the infection so people spread it without knowing it. If a lady contracts rubella when she is pregnant the child will contract it as well. Adult’s symptoms are bruising, fever, headache, general discomfort, runny noses, inflammation of the eyes and muscle or joint pain.


Polio Can be prevented by a single booster  shot.

Poliomyelitis, more commonly known as polio is a virus that affects the nerves. This virus is spread through direct contact with mucus that has been infected.  Polio will enter your body through the mouth and nose and the virus will multiply in your intestines and throat.  This usually spreads to your lymph system. People show symptoms anywhere from 5 to 35 day after contracting polio.There are three types of polio subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic. Most people contract subclinical and this has little to no symptoms. Some signs you may have nonparalytic polio are if you are experiencing, vomiting, sore throat, fever and headache. Nonparalytic polio symptoms are  PubMed Health. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2011. ,Back pain,pain or stiffness , skin rash, Vomiting, diarrhea, Irritability, Pain in front part of neck, Leg pain, Moderate fever, Muscle stiffness, Neck pain and stiffness, fatigue, Headache. Paralytic polio symptoms are fever, drooling, difficulty peeing, bloating, constipation, difficulty breathing, headache, and finally muscle spasms, pain or weakness.


Typhoid can be prevented by taking a vaccine.


Typhoid is caused by a bacteria called salmonella typhi, and this bacteria produces a rash and diarrhea. The bacteria is spread through food and water that have been contaminated with the virus. Once the bacteria goes into your body it will pass through your intestines and proceeds into the bloodstream. When the bacteria is in your blood stream it travels to various organs in the body. Some symptoms are, fever, abdominal pain, bloody stool, chills, mood swings, weakness, confusion, hallucination and nosebleeds. In developing countries typhoid fever is very common.


Influenza can be prevented by a vaccine.


Influenza is an infection that is spread through the lungs, nose and throat. Influenza viruses are what caused the flu. Influenza is caused by water droplets that are spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms appear approximately 1 to 7 days after getting the virus. Some symptoms include body aches, chills flushed face, headache, dizziness, vomiting, and fatigue. A dry cough, sneezing, sore throat and runny noses are also common symptoms.



Tuberculosis A can be prevented by a vaccine.


Tuberculosis caused by a bacterial infection that happens in the lungs and other organs. This is a contagious disease. The bacteria is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and you may consume this bacteria by breathing in water droplets with the bacteria. When you get the bacteria in your system you usually receive symptoms right away. Symptoms include, Coughing mucus or blood, fever, chest pain, wheezing or difficulty breathing, fatigue and heavy perspiration.


 Rabies can be temporarily prevented by three shots of the vaccine.


Rabies is a virus that is spread by being in contact with an infected animals saliva. The virus will attack your nervous system and causes your brain to swell. Stray cat, dogs, skunks, foxes and monkeys are all potential carriers of this disease.  Some symptoms may include, drooling, convulsions, stress,  muscle spasms, pain and foaming at the mouth.


Japanese B Encephalitis  can be prevented by a vaccine.


Encephalitis in an infection that causes irritation or swelling of the brain which destroys nerve cells. You may contract Encephalitis when breathing in infected water droplets, having skin contact, digesting a contaminated drink or food and getting bit by a bug with the virus. Some symptoms include disorientation, irritability, light sensitivity, vomiting, stiff neck, and drowsiness.


Two booster shot will be given to you to prevent Hepatitis A


Hepatitis A is when your liver swells from the hepatitis a virus. You may contract hepatitis A if you digest something that has come in contact with infected stool or if you have anal or oral sexual contact with a person with hepatitis A. 15 to 45 days before showing symptoms of having the illness it may be found in a person’s stool. From the 2nd to 6th week of contracting hep A symptoms occur and some symptoms may be, dark urine, fatigue, fever, nausea, itching, and jaundice.

 Three shouts of hepatitis B shot given to you over the span of six months to prevent hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is when your liver swells due to the hepatitis virus. This virus is spread through semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. You may contract it by blood transfusions, sexual contact with an effected person, acupuncture, piercings or getting  a tattoo with an unclean needle and sharing personal things such as tooth brushes. There are not many immediately symptoms, but you may feel ill. After six months of having the disease you may have loss of appetite, fever, jaundice, vomiting, muscle aches and fatigue.

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