Travel Health & Infectious Disease Archives

What is a Buruli Ulcer? Symptoms, cause & treatment
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What is a Buruli Ulcer? Symptoms, cause & treatment

What is a Buruli Ulcer? Symptoms, causes & treatment What is a Buruli Ulcer? A Buruli Ulcer is a bacterial infection of the skin caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium Ulcerans, which belongs to the same family of bacteria as tuberculosis and leprosy. It’s sometimes also referred to as a Bairnsdale Ulcer (after the [...]

Mumps- what causes it & what are the symptoms?
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Mumps- what causes it & what are the symptoms?

Mumps- what causes it & what are the symptoms? spread symptoms complications management What is mumps and what causes it? Mumps is a viral illness, which causes swelling of the salivary glands (the glands in the head and neck that produce spit), fever and sometimes other symptoms and [...]

What is Listeria and what are the symptoms?
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What is Listeria and what are the symptoms?

What is Listeria & what are the symptoms? what is Listeria? symptoms risk diagnosis & treatment In 2018 several elderly Australians have died from Listeria infection, having eaten contaminated cantaloupe melons (rockmelons) grown in a farm in New South Wales. So, what exactly [...]

Scarlet Fever- symptoms, causes & treatment
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Scarlet Fever- symptoms, causes & treatment

Scarlet Fever- symptoms, causes & treatment cause symptoms diagnosis treatment What is Scarlet Fever? Scarlet Fever was once a very common illness, and used to be a major cause of death in childhood. With improvements in living conditions and hygiene, as well as the availability of antibiotics, it’s now [...]

Glandular Fever- the facts about the “kissing disease”
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Glandular Fever- the facts about the “kissing disease”

Glandular Fever- the key facts about the "kissing disease" Symptoms Complications Diagnosis Treatment What is Glandular Fever? Glandular Fever (also known as Infectious Mononucleosis) is a viral illness caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (or EBV for short). EBV belongs to the Herpes family. Other Herpes viruses cause familiar infections [...]

Whooping cough- why is it so dangerous?
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Whooping cough- why is it so dangerous?

Whooping cough- why is it such a serious illness? symptoms spread treatment vaccine What is whooping cough? Whooping cough is a highly contagious lung infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella Pertussis. It is common, and can have serious complications, particularly in smaller babies for whom it can be [...]

What is a DVT and do you know the symptoms?
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What is a DVT and do you know the symptoms?

Deep Vein Thrombosis- what are the symptoms of a DVT? what is a DVT? risks symptoms treatment prevention What is a DVT? DVT is short for “ deep vein thrombosis”- this is when a blood clot forms in a deep vein- usually in the deep veins of [...]

Confused about meningitis vaccines for kids?- know the facts
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Confused about meningitis vaccines for kids?- know the facts

What is Meningitis? Meningitis strikes fear into the hearts of parents, and rightly so- it’s a medical emergency that can rapidly become life-threatening. Meningitis occurs when viruses or bacteria infect the fluid and outer membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include fever, irritability, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and sensitivity to light. [...]

Zika Virus- the essential facts
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Zika Virus- the essential facts

In the past few years there has been a lot of talk about the Zika virus- there is particular concern about pregnant women who plan to travel to areas where Zika infection rates are high. But what exactly is the Zika Virus and what harm can it cause? The Zika virus infects humans by [...]

Ross River Virus- the key facts

In the past year or two there has been more media coverage and public awareness in Australia regarding the Ross River Virus. But what exactly is it and who can get infected? Ross River Fever is an illness caused by a type of virus called an “arbovirus”. It is most common in summer and [...]

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