Common Travel Diseases

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Along with preventing mosquito bites and using non-drug methods (such as insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, treating clothing and gear, etc) sometimes Malaria chemoprophylaxis can be used by travelers. or many destinations, there are multiple options available. Some factors we will consider are the patient’s other medical conditions, medications being taken (to assess potential drug-drug interactions), the cost of the medicines, and the potential side effects. 

Starting treatment immediately is the best way to prevent malaria. The type of drugs prescribed, and length of treatment depend on

• the type of malaria
• the geographic location where the infection could likely happen (and likelihood of drug resistance)
• your age
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The best way to prevent yellow fever virus infection is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and get vaccinated before traveling. 

• The vaccine is recommended for people aged 9 months or older and who are traveling to or living in areas at risk for yellow fever virus in Africa and South America.
  • The following people, or their guardians, should talk to a healthcare provider about getting vaccinated: between 6 and 8 months old, over 60 years old, pregnant, breastfeeding
• Yellow fever vaccine may be required for entry into certain countries.
• Vaccination requirements and recommendations for specific countries are available on the CDC Travelers’ Health page.

This disease is spread through sewage contamination of food or water and through person-to-person contact. Typhoid fever is common in places with poor sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water. Access to safe water and adequate sanitation, hygiene among food handlers and typhoid vaccination are all effective in preventing typhoid fever.

Routine typhoid vaccination is not recommended in the United States, but typhoid vaccine is recommended for:

• Travelers to parts of the world where typhoid is common. (NOTE: typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective and is not a substitute for being careful about what you eat or drink.)
• People in close contact with a typhoid carrier.
• Laboratory workers who work with Salmonella typhi bacteria.

Activities that can increase a traveler’s chance of getting Japanese encephalitis include:

• Spending a lot of time outdoors in rural areas
• Traveling during times of the year when mosquitoes are more common, such as during the summer
• Traveling for long periods of time in a place that has Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis vaccine is recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there