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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
