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What you need to know about occupational health

Certain occupations, (particularly those associated with healthcare), may lead to an increased risk of some vaccine-preventable diseases. It is also possible for workers to transmit infections such as Flu, Measles, Mumps, Pertussis, Rubella, Tuberculosis and Varicella to susceptible patients (particularly those with weak immune systems).

Where workers are at significant risk of acquiring a vaccine-preventable disease through their occupation or when they may put patients at risk by transmitting a disease, employers should implement a comprehensive occupational vaccination program and should take all reasonable steps to ensure workers are vaccinated.

Common occupational vaccinations include:

• Hepatitis B
• Influenza
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Why are vaccines important?

These diseases can cause death or serious illness, some of which there is no cure. These diseases can be transmitted through a number of different ways and include:

• Faecal-oral contact – poor hand washing, ingestion of contaminated food or water.
• Close contact with an infected person, for example someone with whom you work.
• Contaminated raw fruit and vegetables, milk and milk products.
• Direct body fluid contact – e.g. caring for injured people.
• Use of contaminated equipment – e.g. unsafe needles (even in medical settings), or sharing razors.
• Bacterial spores entering minor wounds and burns via soil, dust or animal faeces.
• Sneezes or coughs.

Vaccine Prices For Occupational Health

What you need to know about Diptheria.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that causes a moderate sore throat. Sometimes the lining of the throat may swell causing difficulties in breathing. It is mainly spread by droplets expelled from the nose and mouth usually by breathing in Diphtheria bacteria after an infected person has coughed, sneezed or even laughed. It can also be spread by handling used tissues or by drinking from a glass used by an infected person.

Nearly one out of every ten people who get Diphtheria will die from it. Most cases occur among unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated people. However, whether or not the patient dies depends on the severity of the illness, their level of immunity and the speed with which treatment is started.

High-risk areas

High-risk areas for Diphtheria include:

• South America*
• Central America*
• India
• South East Asia
• Sub-Saharan Africa

*Parts of these regions only.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms usually appear between two and seven days after you have been exposed to the bacteria and can include.

• Breathing problem
• Cough
• Discharge and crusting around your nose
• Fever
• Hoarse voice
• Sore throat
• Swollen, tender glands in your neck
• Pale, blue skin

The vaccine

The Diphtheria vaccine is usually combined with other vaccines, such as Tetanus and Polio (Revaxis).

Children under 10 years of age will receive their Diphtheria vaccine as part of their childhood vaccinations.

Children aged 10 or over and adults who have never been vaccinated will need to have three doses of the vaccine, one month apart.

Travellers should ensure that they have had a primary course of vaccine and receive a booster every 10 years if they are travelling to an area where Diphtheria, Tetanus or Polio are considered high risk. Our travel specialist can advise you on your requirements based on your itinerary, past history and time to travel.

What you need to know about cholera

Cholera is a potentially life-threatening, often water borne disease caused by bacterial
infection. The infection causes watery diarrhoea leading to rapid dehydration and electrolyte
imbalance. It is this dehydration which is potentially fatal. It is highly-infectious, causing
a number of epidemics and pandemics.

You can contract the bacteria that causes Cholera through ingesting contaminated food or
drinking contaminated water. Common foods posing a high risk are undercooked or raw shellfish
and fish, however any food or drink contaminated by infected persons pose a high risk, and if
water sanitation is poor, large populations are at risk.

High-risk areas

Cholera is found throughout the world, particularly in areas with poor sanitation, including
the following:

• Africa*
• Central America*
• India
• The Middle East
• South East Asia

*Parts of these regions only.

Signs and symptoms

These symptoms generally develop within a few days of infection, although they can sometimes occur after only a few hours.

• Severe watery diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps

The vaccine

For adults and children over six years of age, two doses of the vaccine (Dukoal) are needed to
protect against Cholera for two years. After this, a booster will be required. The vaccine is
taken orally (by mouth), as a small amount of liquid to be swallowed.

Children aged two to six years old will need to have three doses of the vaccine. This will
protect them for six months, after which time they will need to have a booster.

For all age groups, the doses must be given at least one week apart, but no more than six weeks apart.

The vaccinations should be completed at least one week before travelling.

The Cholera vaccine cannot be given to children under two years of age.

Travel Vaccines

When, Where and Why?

When travelling, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses. Our travel specialists will determine which vaccinations are recommended or required based on your travel itinerary.

As some vaccinations require more than one visit, it is advisable to consult us 4-6 weeks before departure. However, it is never too late to come for a travel medicine visit. The appropriate vaccines and travel advice can have a major impact on preventing health problems while overseas.