Viruses are microscopic organisms, and almost every ecosystem contains viruses. They can infect humans, anima, plants, or even bacteria too.
Many diseases have become epidemic, and mostly children and travelers’ effect by these viruses. These days, Coronavirus is spreading very rapidly, and there is an alarming situation in the whole world.
People who travel should be more careful about these viruses and follow the precautionary instructions. Here you can know about the top travel diseases and viruses which badly affect you during traveling.
You can see the symptoms of these viruses and follow safety measurements to save yourself by these viruses.
22 Airborne / Travel Diseases You Need to Know
1# Coronavirus / COVID-19
On the top of the list, Coronavirus is included whose pandemic outbreak declared by the World Health Organization. Many countries have confirmed cases of Coronavirus. WHO declares a global outbreak of COVID-19 on 11 March 2020 after the death in Canada on 9 March 2020.
This virus spreads by a person’s breath when an infected person coughs or sneeze. The common symptoms of Coronavirus are sore throat, fever, sneezing, and coughing.
In this situation, you must be aware of safety precautions such as use sanitizer when you are in traveling or outside the home, avoid big crowds, wash hands often. Nowadays, you should wash hands 20 seconds after every 20-30 minutes.
2# Cholera
Cholera is another deadly disease that can affect during traveling. It is an intestinal infection caused by a bacteria type Vibrio Cholerae. In its symptoms, vomiting, nausea, leg cramps, and watery diarrhea are included.
It mostly spreads eating or drinking contaminated food and water as well as casual contact. Early detection, good hygiene, use of clean food, and water can minimize the Cholera. No matter where you are traveling, just make sure you are drinking safe water and clean food.
3# Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola is an epidemic virus which first time reported in August 2018. It causes hemorrhagic fever in humans and animals and spread by direct contact with the blood, body fluids, and infected person’s tissues.
This virus spreads by the Zaire ebolavirus. In the common symptoms of ebola virus, fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding (hemorrhage) are included.
For protective measurement of Ebola, you must practice good hygiene, avoid direct and unprotected contact. You should always follow safe burial practices such as use masks, gowns, gloves, and googles as well as use alcohol-based sanitizer.
4# Avian Influenza / Bird Flue
Avian Influenza is also included in our list, which caused by Influenza A virus that spread quickly among birds.
It rarely infects humans, and inhuman influenza viruses, H5N1 and H7N9, are included, which cause illness. In its symptoms, normal flu, fever, cough, and muscle aching are included. In severe cases, diarrhea, stomach pain, and chest pain are included.
You should be careful from some areas while traveling, such as poultry farms, live animal markets, slaughtered houses. You should be cook poultry products properly so that this virus stays away from you.
5# Dengue
Dengue is a common virus among humans that spread by mosquito bites. In traveling, you should be aware of those areas where it is common. Flue like symptoms, fever, pain, nausea, and weakness of muscles and joints are common in dengue.
Travelers who stay a few days in air-conditioned hotels and participate in less outdoor activities have less risk of dengue.
Meanwhile, the risk increased who stay in outdoor activities for a longer period or in dengue areas. You should take protective measurements such as take care of yourself at sunrise and sunset time while traveling.
6# Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A virus attacks the liver and causes mild to severe illness. It is associated with poor sanitation and poor hygiene practices. It is spread using raw and uncooked shellfish, frozen fruits and vegetables.
Moreover, it is also spread by sexual contact with an infected person, blood transfusion, and sharing needles. In its symptoms, fever, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin), nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps are included.
Therefore, it is best to use the vaccine in travel to prevent this virus. To reduce the risk of hepatitis A virus, follow the precautions such as wash your hands before eating, use safe sex practices, never share needles, and drink boiled water.
7# HIV/AIDS
AIDS is a chronic condition which spread by human immunodeficiency virus. It makes our immune system weak, and due to this virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome develops. Every year due to AIDS, millions of deaths occur.
In its symptoms, chills, fever, fatigue, joint pain, headache, sore throat, muscle throat and, swollen glands are included, which found in lymph nodes.
Mostly other viruses such as Hepatitis viruses lead to HIV; therefore, you should follow all the safety measurements. Besides, it is treated with Antiretroviral therapy in which antiretroviral medications are used.
8# Hand Foot and Mouth disease
Hand, foot, and mouth is a common viral disease which mostly happens in infants and children. It is caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses.
Children and travelers are at high risk; therefore, you must take care of your hands, foot, and mouth because it affects these areas.
It is spread by the secretions of nose and mouth saliva. In its symptoms, loss of appetite, fever, sore throat, rashes in the hands and feet, elbows, or other genital areas are included.
There is no proper treatment; you just need to take care of your hygiene practice and stay well hydrated.
9# Rabies
Rabies is a deadly disease and caused by Lyssavirus. It is spread by close contact as well as by infected animals, therefore common in travelers who have close contact with animals or work in any kind of place.
In rabies symptoms, flu, headache, fever, fatigue, pain, tingling, numbness are included. Vaccination of this virus is available; therefore, you should take this vaccine six weeks before travel. Besides to avoid it, take personal precautions to contact with animals, wild or domestic.
10# Measles
Measles is in our list of top 10 diseases or viruses that need to know while traveling. Due to this, deaths happen worldwide every year. It is spread by the measles virus, and in initial symptoms, cough, fever, red eyes, sleepiness and irritability appear. After 3 to 7 days, the blotchy rash develops on the face and then spread all over the body and lasts for 4 to 7 days.
To prevent the symptoms, you should follow these precautions, such as stay at home at least for 4 days after appearing of the first symptom. Take pain or fever relief medicine, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy foods.
Some other diseases and viruses are;
11# Zika Virus
12# Tuberculosis (TB)
13# Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
14# Chikungungya Virus Disease / CHIKV
15# Polio
16# Yellow Fever
17# Typhoid Fever
18# Influenza
19# Chickenpox
20# Mumps
21# Whooping Cough (Pertusis)
22# Diphtheria
Wrapping Up
Viral infection could be prevented without medication, to prevent symptoms such as pain, fever, cough, medication could be useful.
Besides, vaccines of many viruses are available that you can take six weeks before traveling. Still, the corona-virus vaccine is not ready, which needs most currently. However, we are hopeful soon we’ll get rid of this bad corona situation.
For more travel tips, keep visiting our blog.
Author: Sadia
