Health tips for outbound travelers

By Bae Ji-sook

Staff reporter

Summer is the perfect season to go on a trip overseas. However, falling sick is the last thing you want when travelling.

The National Health Insurance Corporation's Ilsan Hospital spoke on a few diseases for outbound travelers to watch out for.

1. Yellow fever: Yellow fever is known to be spread by mosquitoes. Some African states such as Ghana, Mali, Niger, Congo, Togo and South American countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Bolivia and Brazil among others are places to watch out for.

It has high mortality rates, but at the same time, it is known to be effectively preventable by vaccination.

Fever, headaches and nausea as well as jaundice are the main symptoms. A majority of patients recover within five days but some unfortunate ones develop complications leading to bleeding and liver and kidney failure, which can prove fatal. The hospital advises travelers to get vaccinated about two weeks prior to departure.

2. Diarrhea and typhoid. Typhoid is one of the most common diseases prevalent when traveling to tropical countries. Contaminated water and food are the main culprits causing severe nausea and diarrhea, high fever and blood in the stools.

Some forms of typhoid can cause serious trouble to the intestines. However, recent vaccines have proved to be more effective and those visiting Mexico and other Central American states should consider getting them.

3. Malaria. The virus is carried by mosquitoes and causes fever and headache and muscle pains are the major signs. Some tropical types of the virus damage the brain and kidneys, and can lead to death.

Inoculations should be conducted more than a week prior to the trip but it is not recommended for women planning a pregnancy. After arrival back in Korea, the person is advised to take medication for another four weeks as a preventative measure.

4. Rabies is carried by animals infected with the virus. The disease is contracted via the wound from the animal attack. It is virtually untreatable if the virus reaches the central nervous system and the symptoms almost always prove to be fatal.

The chances of getting the disease is pretty slim but those traveling to Africa, Southeast Asia, Central or South America should take extra attention when encountering wildlife.

One needs three sessions of vaccinations prior to departure, which takes about a month.

Park Yun-sun, a doctor at the hospital, said, "The formation of antibodies differs according to individuals but I advise people to visit traveler's clinics or public healthcare centers for more information on getting vaccinations in the appropriate time".

"Also, if you feel ill for several days or weeks after travelling, be sure to let the doctors know the details of the trip," he added.