Air travel used to be fun, now airports are modern day battlegrounds, with travelers being transformed into ‘soldiers’, their mission, to make it to their destinations without losing their minds.
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Schistosomiasis is a parasitic illness, which goes by several names, including bilharziasis and snail fever. It has been around since Egyptian times, mummies have actually been found with calcified eggs – dating back to 1500 BC. It is caused by one of five species of water borne flatworms, also called flukes. Fresh water snails are essential for part of the developmental stage of this parasite. The stage that causes human disease is called a cercaria. these are tiny, free swimming, pear shaped tadpole like objects. The cerceraie are stimulated by bright lights and warm day time temperatures, causing them to abandon their snail hosts and look for humans.
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Malaria
Among the many diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, malaria is one of the most dreaded, and yet preventable, causes of mortality among travelers. The geographic distribution of malaria covers most tropical regions and some warm temperate regions of the world. Risk of malarial transmission decreases above 4,500 feet, however in hotter climates, it may occur at heights above 9,000 feet. Last summer there was a big outbreak in Kissi, Kenya – altitude 6,000 feet.
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Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral illness of the liver, which is primarily spread by eating and drinking contaminated food and water. This includes eating raw seafood, uncooked fruits and vegetables, or foods that are contaminated by food handlers. Intimate contact with an infected patient can also spread the disease.
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Dengue Fever – a Global Health Problem, Why You Should be Concerned
Dengue Fever is a mosquito- borne, viral illness occurring primarily in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The risk is greatest in the Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia, South China, most countries in Central and South America, the Pacific islands, and even Texas, where there were cases last year.
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Motion Sickness by Dr. Rajiv Narula
Motion sickness is a common problem encountered by travelers – whether by sea, air land, camel or elephant ! We all suffer from it, the difference lies in the level of discomfort- 5% suffer heavily, 5% suffer minimally and the remainder 90 % suffer moderately. According to the Medical College of Wisconsin from one third to one half of airline passengers experience some degree of motion sickness when encountering heavy turbulence.
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