Considered a landmark moment for mankind, the discovery of fire was the first step out of a primitive world. It lit the world, cooked our food and kept us warm at night.

It’s not all praise for fire though, as it may have also given the world tuberculosis.

Or at least born out of smoke, according to a recent study at the University of New South Wales.

The bacteria’s history traces back for millennia. Mummies from over 4,000 years ago showing signs of the infection in their chests. Tuberculosis spreads from person to person through the air. The mycobacterium that makes up the disease is inhaled and the infection infiltrates the lungs.

[Read more…]

Considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is home to around 11 million people.

In January 2010, when the country was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the effect was severe. The disaster left 220,000 dead and 3.5 million affected, with years of expected repair.

A cholera epidemic began later in 2010, partially due to the U.N.’s negligence during earthquake relief. This outbreak of the disease is still going strong today. It may even be resurgent with other natural disasters hitting the country.

[Read more…]

November is here and arriving with it are some freezing days and colder nights.

But, just because the temperature is dropping, doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to wearing layers and shoveling snow. The winter months are great for an international getaway.

The Caribbean and Central America are abundant with stunning, warm weather places to visit during the cold season.

So, rather than resigning to life in freezing temperatures, here’s a few places to escape where the weather is far friendlier:

[Read more…]

All the countries to choose from in the world, and Canada still comes out on top.

The travel guide Lonely Planet released its list of Top Countries to Visit in 2017 and the Great White North took the top spot.

Lonely Planet credits Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “dynamic cities that dominate global livability” and underrated wine for reasons to visit Canada. The country’s upcoming 150 year birthday puts the cherry on top for Canada to reign supreme.

But, just because Canada is such a welcoming country, doesn’t mean you should avoid the rest of the world.

[Read more…]

There are only a few days until Halloween and countless Canadians are finalizing their plans and finishing up costumes. But, Halloween is not the same spectacle around the world.

Other countries do have traditions to wear costumes and celebrate during the fall, they just aren’t focused on Halloween or All Hallows Eve.

Whether it’s The Festival of Masks or Teng Chieh, here are four ways the holiday is celebrated in other countries:

[Read more…]

Tuberculosis is often thought of as a plague of the past. It’s true that for many in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the dreaded “consumption” was a death sentence. The disease didn’t discriminate between the rich or the poor, young or old. In fact, it took the lives of some of the most iconic thinkers and artists of the past two centuries, including Frederic Chopin, Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Bronte, Eleanor Roosevelt, George Orwell and Vivien Leigh.

In his novel “Nicholas Nickleby,” Charles Dickens described consumption as a disease which “wealth never warded off,” and “in which death and life are so strangely blended, that death takes the glow and hue of life, and life the gaunt and grisly form of death.”

Patients lost weight and color, and carried handkerchiefs into which they coughed up blood.

Since the discovery of antibiotics streptomycin and isoniazid in 1944 and 1952, which were found to be effective in treating and preventing against the TB bacteria, the number of cases has decreased.

In the United States there has been on a sharp decline since 1992. With this big decline comes the misconception that the bacteria has been eradicated. This is not the case.

Though we don’t see the prevalence seen in the past, we are still at risk for tuberculosis infection. It’s important to understand tuberculosis and keep TB prevention in mind.

[Read more…]

Vaccinations almost seem like a simple math problem. Take the vaccine, add it to your body and there’s no risk of catching the disease for the rest of your life.

But a lot of the time, vaccines aren’t that simple.

Many vaccines require a booster shot after the initial dose to continue preventing the disease. The problem is, countless people ignore the need for a booster shot to stay disease-free in the future.

Why Are Booster Shots Necessary?

Some diseases are more resilient than others. Over time the body can lose the antibodies first provided by a vaccination, leaving it open to the disease once again. After an initial vaccination, the body sometimes needs a wake-up call to continue preventing a disease in the form of a booster shot.

Without these reminders via boosters, there can be resurgent outbreaks of the disease.

Take Russia’s diphtheria outbreak in the early 1990’s.

Diphtheria was an epidemic throughout Russia during the 1950’s, with children the most likely to contract the disease. A vaccine was introduced in 1958 and within five years the number of cases greatly decreased.

The number of diphtheria cases remained low in Russia for over 30 years until a severe outbreak of the disease in the 1990’s. There were almost 40,000 reported cases in 1994 compared to little more than 1,000 cases in 1990.

The only difference between the epidemics is that adults became far more likely to catch the disease in the 1990’s. The same children that were first immunized decades earlier ran low on the antibodies for diphtheria.

This outbreak changed the plan for the diphtheria vaccine in the future. Continue vaccinating children, but keep up immunization by giving booster shots throughout adulthood.

Why Do Some Infections Require Booster Vaccine?

The body remembers how to fight diseases. That’s why vaccines work for long periods of time. The body had the antibodies to fight sickness before and can make them again.

Do you remember us saying that the body needs reminders to fight diseases? That was not an exaggeration, as the body uses immunological memory to remember to create antibodies and fight disease.

But like the rest of the body, this system gets older and slower. The immune system will take longer to create antibodies when exposed to a disease.

If the disease is fast-acting and the antibodies are taking just long enough, then the pathogens win and you get sick.

When Do You Need A Booster Vaccine?

Some diseases are well-known for their annual booster vaccines.

The flu shot is targeted at certain influenza strains present in that year, so a new vaccine is necessary with every annual flu season.

For many other vaccines though, the need for a booster depends on other details. Booster shots may be needed if you were born before a vaccine became a legal requirement or in a region of the world that did not provide the immunization.

Booster vaccines may also be necessary to travel outside of the country. Some diseases that have been eradicated in certain regions, like Polio or Typhoid in the U.S. and Canada, are still active in other parts of the world.

Travel Vaccinations that Require Boosters:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis A & B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Polio (for some individuals)
• Rabies (pre- and post-exposure)
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever

Routine Vaccinations that Require Boosters:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Chickenpox
• HPV
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
• Influenza

It is not only important to check if you will need a booster vaccine, but also to remember when it will be needed.

If you are unsure of your vaccination history, consider titer testing to learn if you are immune. Your local Passport Health clinic can help, book your appointment today by calling or schedule online now.

To learn more about these immunization or titer testing, see our vaccinations and titer testing portals.

Have you ever been infected with an illness you thought you were immune to? Share your thoughts on booster vaccines and their importance to your health in our comments section below, on Twitter or via Facebook.

Suivez ce lien pour voir la version français de cette page.

Florida’s has several good reasons to be called “The Sunshine State.” With treasures like Walt Disney World, white sand beaches, and the Everglades, it’s a wonderful place to visit. But, due to recent cases of Zika, you may need to think twice before planning your trip.

We’ve heard enough about Zika by now to be fairly familiar with specifics. Talk of Zika was at the forefront of the concerns about the Rio Olympics. But, with cases spreading it’s important to revisit the basic questions of who, what, where, and when. It’s back to the essentials.

Because of the current rapid transmission rates, consider a few things before leaving Canada for your Floridian getaway.

Who Should Be Concerned with Zika?

• Pregnant women– Doctors should consider testing all pregnant women that have travelled to known Zika affected area. Pregnant women that live in or have travelled to a Zika affected area during their pregnancy should be tested in first and second trimesters.
• Partners of pregnant women– If a pregnant woman has had unprotected sex with a partner that has traveled to an area with high Zika concern, the pregnant woman should talk to their healthcare provider and be tested.
• Women thinking of getting pregnant or of reproductive age– Women should be cautious of travel if there is a possibility they could be pregnant or become pregnant. For those not wanting to become pregnant but are of reproductive age, follow a good contreceptive strategy.

In general, the PHAC advises that pregnant women, partners of pregnant women, and women thinking of becoming pregnant should avoid travel to this areas if possible, or at least avoid all nonessential travel.

For couples looking to become pregnant, be cautious with travel. If one of the partners shows symptoms of Zika, they should wait for a time before trying to get pregnant again. If the woman experienced symptoms, the couple should wait at least 8 weeks. If the man showed symptoms, the couple should wait at least 6 months before trying.

How Serious is Zika in Florida?

Over 600 travel-related cases of Zika and over 50 non-travel related infections have been reported in Florida. At least 84 pregnant women have tested positive for the Zika virus. Some of these women have already given birth.

The spread of this mosquito-borne illness raised enough alarm that the Florida governor is urging residents to get rid of any standing water and use bug spray. He also enlisted help from the CDC for a special emergency response team to help Florida’s Department of Health fight the virus.

Where and When Is the Biggest Risk?

The CDC website issued an advisory to people that live in or have traveled to the Miami Beach area after July 14. It said these instructions apply to anyone that traveled to or live in the specific Wynwood area of Miami after June 15. This is where the first cases occured.

The Zika virus has a maximum two-week incubation period.

There hasn’t been much evidence to show that Zika has impacted travel to Florida. But, cases continue to occur. Travelers could get lucky with flexible refund policies or lower rates.

Do you need more information on Zika virus? Check out our Zika page! Do you have questions about other mosquito-borne illnesses or need supplies? We can help! Set up an appointment with a Passport Health specialist by calling or booking online now.

But, there are some things you just can’t plan for. As even the most experienced travelers know, the best plans can fall apart in a second.

Unfortunately, travelers aren’t immune to illness or accidents. Your body is more vulnerable to sickness when traveling. You’re in a new environment being exposed to all kinds of unfamiliar things. Also, accidents can happen as you move from place to place.

In case of accident or illness, how do you know if you should stay or go? You don’t want to give up on the trip you spent months planning, but you also don’t want to put yourself at risk.

There isn’t an easy answer to this question. It depends. In making this decision, consider the following factors and ask yourself a few questions.

Severity of illness– How sick are you? Are these new symptoms or a flare up of an existing condition? You may be sick with a common cold or unexpected allergies from unfamiliar plants. If you are familiar with your symptoms and have medicine to treat them, you may be uncomfortable for a few days but you would be okay to stay. But, if you are experiencing unfamiliar or concerning symptoms, you may need to leave.

You know your body. If something is clearly wrong, seek out medical attention to attend to any immediate problems and consider making plans to go home.

Location– Where are you? There is a wide range in quality of healthcare around the world. Healthcare in developed countries will be better than healthcare in developing countries. But, even then it varies. If you’re unsure about the healthcare system where you are, International SOS provides helpful resources for international healthcare options. If the healthcare options look bleak, head home.

Also, Johns Hopkins recommends contacting the Canadian Embassy or Consulate. The consular officers can provide you with a list of medical professionals in the area. The officers will inform your family and friends if your illness is serious.

Length of stay– How long will you be there? If you’re near the end of your trip, you could consider leaving a little early to make sure symptoms don’t get worse. If this is an extended stay, you can work with good local healthcare options to gauge the severity of the issue before making further plans.

Though you can’t prepare for those unexpected emergencies, you can do a lot beforehand to make your life easier in this regard. Your preparations should always include illness prevention and health care awareness.

The following are some of the best ways to prepare:

• Make sure to get the necessary vaccinations in enough time before you leave. Passport Health can help you prepare with pre-travel consultations and vaccinations.
• Bring medicines from home that you are familiar with and comfortable taking.
• Fill out the information page on the inside of your passport, which will have you list the information for an emergency contact.
• Carry a letter from your primary care doctor that includes a list of all pre-existing medical conditions and your prescriptions, including their generic names.
• Bring your medications, but carry them in their clearly labeled, original containers.
• Educate yourself on prevalent local diseases. Be aware that if you are going to a developing country, those diseases are more common in rural areas.

Do you need help making preparations and getting the vaccines for your next big trip? Book an appointment with a Passport Health Specialist by calling or scheduling online now.

Do you have an interesting story about getting ill abroad or even more advice? Let us know! Contact us on Facebook or via Twitter!

Suivez ce lien pour voir la version français de cette page.

Perhaps you’ve been on a road trip where the shotgun seat is not only coveted, but a matter of life and death, because a couple members of the group are prone to motion sickness. If you are one of these people, you likely sympathize with the dread of inescapable nausea and dizziness that come with even just a short ride in the car, train, bus, plane (you get the idea). This can make travelling stressful for everyone in your group.

Unfortunately, motion sickness isn’t an uncommon ailment. According to one study, 1-in-3 people are highly susceptible to it.

Why Do Some People Get Motion Sick?

There’s limited understanding about the causes of motion sickness. Research by genetics firm 23andMe shows motion sickness may be just one genetic oddity.

23andMe conducted the first genome-wide association study on motion sickness, using 80,000 23andMe customers. This project produced some fascinating insights into the heredity of motion sickness.

According to their research, 70% of the risk for motion sickness is genetic. In fact, 35 different genetic variants are significantly linked to motion sickness.

Some of these variants are developmental. This includes development of the eye and ear. Other variants are associated with neurological processes, glucose levels, and insulin regulation. There were also some sex-specific effects. For example, motion sickness in women could be up to three times stronger.

The study also confirmed motion sickness is associated with other conditions. These include things like migraines, vertigo, and morning sickness.

The 23andMe researchers also found that there appear to be significant associations between motions sickness and lifestyle. Poor sleep patterns or headaches after drinking red wine increased could be connected to motion sickness. Handling stress well and a good sense of direction decreased the likelihood of motion sickness.

Researchers at Penn State came up with another set of findings. They decided to focus on how race affects motion sickness. They found 80% of Asians experienced it, while less than 50% of African-Americans and/or Caucasian-Americans were affected.

How Can I Avoid Motion Sickness?

This research provides foundation for finding better treatments, or even a cure, for motion sickness. This gives hope to those who experience anxiety and discomfort in travelling on a daily basis. But, many of these treatments are years away.

Here are some ways to lessen the effects of motion sickness today:

• Try To Prevent It– The best way to avoid motion sickness is to prevent it. It’s nearly impossible to avoid travelling in moving vehicles, especially during a big adventure. But, lessening the frequency and reducing the amount of time spent in a vehicle will help.
• Reduce The Symptoms– Medications like Dramamine or Transderm Scop can lessen the effects of motion sickness. Consult a health professional if you have any concerns before using these.
• Focus In The Right Place– Focus on a point, like the horizon, outside of the moving vehicle rather than on something that will be moving with you (like a book, phone, or tablet screen).
• Avoid Alcohol and Cigarettes– These items can enhance any dizziness, nausea, or other sickness you feel while moving.
• Carefully Choose Your Seat– Make sure to choose a seat that will allow you to a good view of the horizon. Offer to drive when possible. The front seat is always a great option. While in the vehicle, keep your head and body as still as possible. Sit facing forward, with the seat slightly reclined.
• Increase Air Circulation– Roll down the windows and breathe in the fresh air. When unable to do so, sit in a place to feel the air conditioning on your face.
• Sleep– When all else fails, try to sleep along the way.

Do you suffer from motion sickness and have other tips for how to avoid it? Comment below or contact us on Facebook or via Twitter!

Suivez ce lien pour voir la version français de cette page.