Jet lag is one of the most frequent complaints of travelers.
People anxiously await the holiday in another country, and upon their arrival, feel exhausted. The plans that they made previously made sometimes have to change, at least temporarily.
Why Hasn’t Polio Been Eradicated?
During the 1940s and 1950s, Americans were hit with a plague. The disease spread fear as quickly as it filled hospital beds. The plague was Polio, and no one was exempt.
Even a President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, spent his time in office in a wheelchair due to paralysis caused by polio.
For Americans, the widespread epidemic has passed. According to the Mayo Clinic, the last naturally-occurring case of polio in the U.S. happened in 1979. Despite that knowledge and the discovery of an effective vaccine back in 1953, we still need to be wary of the disease. Unlike the iron lung that was used in treatment, polio isn’t a thing of the past.
Four Centuries of Yellow Fever: Then and Now
Yellow fever, a disease spread by mosquitoes, has an extensive history spanning back to the 1600’s. Today, due mainly to vaccination, it has a much lesser impact on the developed (and developing) world, but this has not always been the case. Once considered the most dangerous infectious disease, yellow fever has been eradicated from most parts of the world, thanks to the yellow fever vaccine. In honor of National Immunization Awareness month, read on for a brief history of the disease and how vaccine development has helped eradicate yellow fever in many nations.
How Can I Protect Myself from Legionnaires’ Disease While Traveling?
Many have never heard of Legionnaires’ disease, but this bacteria-caused illness is making headlines after reported outbreaks in New York City this summer. The disease was blamed for 12 deaths over 119 reported cases until the outbreak was declared over by early August of 2015. However, in October of this year, three Chicago schools shut down due to reports of possibly high risk of contracting the disease. In both cases, the bacteria were traced to cooling towers in the city. In reality, Legionnaires’ disease affects thousands of people annually in the United States.
What is listeriosis? How can I avoid it?
You’re on vacation, having fun, eating all kinds of new foods, but, then, it happens. It starts with a headache that quickly becomes a fever, and, suddenly, your dream vacation has become the stuff nightmares are made of. That is what listeriosis can do.
Sick After Travel? Pay Attention to Your Symptoms!
Signs of Post-Travel Sickness
When most people return from a trip to an exotic location, they bring home photos, keepsakes, and gift items for family and friends. However, fever, upset stomach, and other physical ailments can also accompany a traveler home. Although most post-travel symptoms are generally mild and may be similar to the common cold or mild digestive system upset, there are some signs that may indicate a more serious problem. People who experience unusual or more severe symptoms following a trip abroad should seek medical attention immediately.
Why Use Different Vaccines for Chickenpox and Shingles?
Chickenpox and shingles may be closely related, but vaccination for the two is a separate affair. The pair share a root disease, varicella zoster, that activates to create each virus.
And yet, you need separate vaccines to prevent each disease.
Why is this? Why wouldn’t the same vaccine work for both? There are a few reasons.
Do I Need A Travel Medicine Specialist?
When traveling abroad, there are a variety of options for travel health and travel medicine. Many individuals don’t know where to go or what to do when starting their journey. Often, these individuals embark on a long search, but what they find may not be best option for them. We’ll look at some of the pre-travel options and consider what is best for travelers visiting various places around the globe.
How to Travel After College Graduation
Every college graduate is familiar with the inevitable question from aunts, uncles, and family friends around graduation: What’s your plan for the future? Often, answers range from starting a new job to enrolling in graduate school. But what if you’re still exploring your options?
Louis Pasteur, Anthrax, and Rabies
Louis Pasteur, the French chemist who lived in the 19th century, is famous for developing fundamental scientific concepts. He demonstrated the process of fermentation and debunked spontaneous generation, an erroneous belief that bacteria came from inanimate matter such as dust. Pasteur is also recognized for his work on vaccines; he was the first scientist to use live viruses in vaccinations. Pasteur’s work in infectious diseases was momentous for the development of the rabies and anthrax vaccines specifically. Rabies and anthrax are animal-born diseases that cause serious symptoms in humans.
