Rabies is a virus that is caused by Lyssavirus. It spreads throughout the nervous system once infected, and ultimately reaches the brain in animals and humans. But, when it reaches the brain in animals, this is when the virus begins to multiply. Once that happens, the virus travels to the salivary glands, which is how rabies is spread through a bite.

Animals can contract rabies through the same way that humans do, through an infected bite by another animal. In the United States, rabies typically occurs in wild animals that are not domesticated. These animals include:

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Contrary to popular belief, just because a person has had malaria once, does not necessarily mean they are protected from getting it again.

Being infected once with the disease does not make a person immune. This is one of the common myths surrounding malaria, according to Reuters. Malaria can resurface and infect a person for a second time. Even if an individual has grown up in an epidemic region, this doesn’t guarantee protection from the disease either.

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Pregnant women should receive a dose of the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine, also known as TDAP. This vaccine is critical to protecting the newborn from contracting pertussis (“Whooping Cough”). Because infants are at the highest risk of developing life-threatening complications from pertussis, vaccination of the mother during pregnancy is very important.

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Anytime that you go traveling to an area that has sanitary practices that are different from what is commonplace to you at home, you are at risk for picking up travelers’ diarrhea. Even a climate change that is different from what you are used to can also make it more likely that you may contract it.

Travelers’ diarrhea is a disorder of the digestive tract, and it is caused by either bacteria, a virus, or a parasite in the local water or food that may be mishandled. It’s most prominent symptom is very watery and loose diarrhea. Some other symptoms include:

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With about half the world’s population living in areas at risk, there are millions of cases of dengue reported each year. Dengue is most common in areas such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the western Pacific Islands. Dengue is a virus and is spread to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes species (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus) mosquito. Once you are infected with dengue, you can only treat your symptoms as they appear.

Most people who become sick with the dengue virus should experience a full recovery within a week but it can be a very serious situation for others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “approximately 100 million people get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue.”

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Rabies is an illness that many people fear contracting. But, human cases of rabies are rarely seen. That is, unless you get bit by a rabid animal. In that case, it is important to get treated as soon as you think you have been infected. Rabies is caused by a lyssavirus, which is a type of virus that causes encephalitis – an inflammation of the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 59,000 people die annually from rabies.

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Everyone knows flu season is usually during the cold months in fall and winter when most activities are held indoors. This shared air between people allows the flu virus to easily spread to others, causing more numerous cases of the flu to emerge.

If you forget to schedule your annual flu vaccination in the fall, you might think missed the opportunity to be protected for that current flu season. The good news is you can get the flu vaccine pretty much anytime you need it, so it’s never too late to shield yourself from the virus.

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We all have some form of understanding of what a vaccine is and how it is administered. It is typically given through a syringe, usually injected into a muscle, whether that be the arm, thigh, or gluteus. There are some exceptions, as there are oral vaccinations as well. But, there was a time when there was a different kind of vaccination for an epidemic that was affecting children all across the United States, and that illness was polio.

Approximately 60 years ago, polio was sweeping the nation. It was generally contracted through exposure to water that had fecal matter in it, and if ingested, they were at risk for polio, if they were not vaccinated. Children that were affected were even sometimes taken to isolation hospitals, away from their families, where they were treated for the illness. It wasn’t until the mid-1950’s that a vaccine for the disease.

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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic being the center of attention when it comes to health and wellness, some countries are also struggling with other viruses. In Singapore, dengue fever became particularly prominent in 2020, which caused Singapore residents to not only take coronavirus precautions, but precautions against dengue as well.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that often infects those in tropical regions. Those who develop dengue fever experience muscle pain as the main symptom for about a week.

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What Is Cholera?

Cholera shows up in humans as an acute diarrheal illness caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. Roughly 80% of cholera infections produce mild or even zero symptoms. In the other 20%, people can experience intense bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramping. People become infected with cholera after ingesting contaminated food or water. Areas with overcrowding are exceptionally at risk for cholera as the risk of fecal matter contaminating the area’s resources increases.

The most important way to manage and prevent the spread of cholera is to ensure that clean food and water are accessible and have a way to dispose of sewage properly. But, vaccination is also an incredible way that modern medicine has managed to take on the infection.

What Is the Cholera Vaccine?

Cholera vaccines are a way to protect people from contracting the illness. Oral vaccines are readily available and have a 65-85% efficacy. This protection can last anywhere from four months to up to five years. Cholera vaccines have a slightly lower efficacy rate than most vaccines, so they are typically used to control outbreaks instead of more routine vaccination. Data has shown the oral cholera vaccine is safe, and countries experiencing continuous cholera transmission will benefit significantly from implementing it into their health care.

Developing a Vaccine

The plans for a cholera vaccine date back to the 1800’s. Around then, researchers discovered that people who had cholera had protection against additional infections, which suggested some natural immunity. Ferran introduced the first cholera vaccine in 1885. As the healthy community continued to learn about the disease, there became an increasing interest in developing an oral vaccine by the 1980’s.

The Internation Vaccine Institute (IVI) saw the importance of developing the world’s first low-cost cholera vaccine, and they began to work with international partners on creating one. In the early 2000’s, Vietnam, one of the countries in the IVI partnership, had developed its own oral vaccine with some help from technology from Sweden.

To be compliant with the World Health Organization’s requirements for vaccines, IVI reformulated the vaccine. The IVI’s technology was also shared with a manufacturer in India. It was there that clinical trials began to ensure the vaccine was safe to use. In 2009, the vaccine was licensed, and by 2011, it received WHO pre-qualification, a significant victory for IVI and global health.

Vaccination Today

Cholera continues to be an issue for some areas of the world, especially Africa and South Asia. Over the years, adapting the vaccine has done nothing but increase production and access while reducing the price. The battle to end cholera wages on, but the vaccine is on the front lines, keeping our world safe.

From vaccinations to key advice, Passport Health can help you stay safe while abroad. Schedule your appointment today by calling or book your appointment online now.

Written for Passport Health by CJ Darnieder. CJ is a freelance writer and editor in Chicago. He is an avid lover of classical music and stand-up comedy and loves to write both in his spare time.