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What you need to know about Malaria

Malaria is a common, serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that is spread by mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes that contain the Malaria parasite typically bite from dusk to dawn. People who get Malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness.

Although Malaria can be a deadly disease, illness and death from Malaria can usually be prevented.

High-risk areas

The regions affected by Malaria are tropical and subtropical countries surrounding the equator world-wide, including:

• The Caribbean
• Central and South America
• The Middle East
• South and South East Asia
• South Pacific and Oceania
• Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa

Signs and symptoms

Malaria symptoms may appear as soon as a week or sometimes is delayed to several months before symptoms appear, depending on the Malaria parasite causing infection.

The less serious Malaria symptoms are flu-like, such as headaches, fever, muscle and joint aches, chills, sweats and diarrhoea

The more serious Malaria symptoms can include:

• Seizures
• Coma
• Kidney and respiratory failure
• Shock which may in occasional cases lead to death if untreated

Prevention

Avoiding malaria involves several steps, known as the ‘ABCD’ of malaria prevention:

• Awareness of risk: know your risk of malaria.
• Bite prevention: avoid bites as much as possible.
• Chemoprophylaxis: take the right anti-malarial tablets.
• Diagnosis: get immediate medical help for symptoms.

To avoid bites, protect yourself with an insect repellent containing DEET. This can be sprayed on exposed skin and clothing. It is also recommended to wear clothing that covers the arms and legs where possible. You can also consider using nets or stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. For high risk travellers (Trans-Africa) consider Permethrin impregnated clothing and nets.

There are several anti-malarial drugs that can be used as a preventative measure to help avoid Malaria symptoms if infected. These often need to be taken before, during and after your trip.

The prophylactic effect of anti-malarials does not begin immediately upon initiating the treatment. Travellers visiting areas with Malaria risk, will usually begin taking the anti-malaria medication 1-2 weeks before entering the endemic area, and must continue taking them for 4 weeks after leaving the area (with the exception of Malarone (Atovaquone/Progaunil) that only needs to be started 2 days prior, and continued for a week afterwards).

Malaria parasites in some regions have developed resistance to certain anti-malarial drug treatments, so please consult our travel specialists for more information. Our travel specialists can recommend the most suitable option for you based on your specific health requirements, itinerary, past history and time to travel.

What you need to know Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious disease which affects the functioning of the liver.

It can go on to become a life-long chronic condition with serious effects, including liver failure, scarring of the liver and liver cancer. There are currently more than 2 billion people in the world that have been infected by Hepatitis B, which is one in every three people in the planet.

It is spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids, such as through sexual intercourse or sharing needles.

High-risk areas

Hepatitis B occurs worldwide but, in particular, it may be found in:

• Africa
• Central America
• China
• Eastern Europe
• The Far East
• India
• Russia
• South America
• South East Asia

Short term travellers and tourists are usually at low risk of Hepatitis B. Travellers at risk should consider vaccination. This includes those who will be visiting areas where there is high risk of exposure to the virus. Individuals should avoid risky behaviour e.g. unprotected sexual intercourse, tattoos, piercings, visiting traditional barbers in high risk destinations. Dental and surgical procedures should also be avoided in high risk areas.

Signs and symptoms

• Mild fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• High temperature
• Gastro-intestinal upset
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Yellow skin and eyes.

The vaccine

Several different vaccines are available for Hepatitis B. Most require a course of three doses which are given rapidly over a one month course or given over a standard six months course.

Once you have completed the course, you should be protected against Hepatitis B for life. Healthcare workers are advised to have a booster dose after five years.

A combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine is also available. Our travel specialist can recommend the most suitable option for you based on your specific health requirements, itinerary, past history and time to travel.

What you need to know about Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It is caught through contaminated food and water or through person-to-person contact if personal hygiene is poor.

It causes a range of issues including jaundice, nausea, fatigue and fever and can last from a few weeks to a few months. There is no cure for Hepatitis A so treatment is usually supportive.

High-risk areas

High-risk areas for Hepatitis A include:

• Africa
• Central America
• Eastern Europe
• The Far East
• India
• South America

Signs and symptoms

• Mild fever
• Gastro-intestinal upset
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Jaundice may also occur

The vaccine

A single injection of the vaccine should be given two weeks before you leave, although it can be given up to the day of your departure if necessary.

This will protect you against Hepatitis A for about a year. A booster dose, given 6–12 months after the first dose, will protect you for at least 20 years.

A combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine, and a combined Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccine are also available.

These vaccines may be useful if you require protection against both diseases.

Our travel specialist can recommend the most suitable option for you based on your specific health requirements, itinerary, past vaccination history and time to travel.

The Hepatitis A vaccine is suitable for all ages above one year. Women that are pregnant or breast feeding should speak to our travel specialist for advice about the suitability of this vaccine.

Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated (killed) vaccine. You will need 2 doses for long-lasting protection. These doses should be given at least 6 months apart.

Children are routinely vaccinated between their first and second birthdays (12 through 23 months of age).  Older children and adolescents can get the vaccine after 23 months. Adults who have not been vaccinated previously and want to be protected against hepatitis A can also get the vaccine.

You should get hepatitis A vaccine if you:

• are traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common,
• are a man who has sex with other men,
• use illegal drugs,
• have a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C,
• are being treated with clotting-factor concentrates,
• work with hepatitis A-infected animals or in a hepatitis A research laboratory, or
• expect to have close personal contact with an international adoptee from a country where hepatitis A is common

Ask your healthcare provider if you want more information about any of these groups.

There are no known risks to getting hepatitis A vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.

Blood Tests

Blood Tests Services are unavailable at the moment.

Prevention & wellness

The peace of mind you need.

At Armada Travel Clinic, whether you are an experienced traveller, first time traveller, or simply going abroad on a business trip.

You will be guaranteed to receive professional travel advice from one of our travel specialists.

Our reputation thrives on our caring approach across all the services we offer.

We have everything you could possibly need for your safe trip abroad including travel vaccinations, malaria tablets, travel accessories and up to date information and advice on travel related health issues.

Our specialists also offer a dedicated Occupational Health Immunisation service as well as a Blood and Immunity Testing service.

Armada Travel Clinic specialises in helping travellers make the right choices to minimise the health risks they face when travelling abroad.

All the advice given by Armada Travel Clinic is tailored to suit your individual journey or needs and based on an individual risk assessment, which takes into consideration any pre-existing medical conditions, ongoing treatments, along with your travel itinerary.

Armada Travel Clinic is a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre and has been authorised by NaTHNaC (as the regulatory body for England, Wales and Northern Ireland), to administer yellow fever vaccine in accordance with International Health Regulations (2005).