Nobody wants to contract a nasty bug while they’re overseas, but there are a whole heap of viruses out there ready to pounce at any moment. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the most common deadly diseases and infections known to man.
Malaria
A staggering one million people die from Malaria every year – with a further 300-600 million infected by the disease over a 12-month period.
The virus is passed on via mosquito bites, with people living in African nations the most heavily impacted by what is one of the biggest killers known to man in the modern era.
Symptoms will include the likes of chills, muscle aches and nausea – with organs slowly beginning to fail before death. The best form of protection are pills issued by your doctor, as well as specific nets which are designed to keep the critters out.
Leishmaniosis
Similarly to Malaria, Leishmaniosis is passed on via the bite of an animal – in this instance a sand fly, as opposed to a mosquito.
It’s not unheard of for people to experience facial disfigurement when contracting this gruesome condition, while organs will also regularly swell and become oversized.
Bug repellent is the only way to keep the primary spreaders of this disease away from you during the day, with nets again working as an effective night time protection.
Polio
Poliomyelitis, or to give it its more commonly used named, Polio, is a disease which is most commonly transmitted through contaminated food and drink.
A fever, headaches, vomiting and nausea are the most common side effects of the condition, with paralysis also said to be an issue in older sufferers. However, in general this symptom occurs in fewer than 1 in 100 patients.
Close contact is what usually spreads this deadly disease, with swimming pools standing out as one the primary breeding grounds for the bacteria.
Zika
There was a heap of controversy surrounding this particular disease and the 2016 Rio Olympics, with Zika virus believed to have the potential to bring the games to a screeching halt. Thankfully, it didn’t.
It’s not just Brazil which has suffered though, with Tonga, the Dominican Republic and the US Virgin Isles all also heavily affected.
A soft fever, conjunctivitis and muscle pains are the early warning signs – with the eventual impact of the condition being as severe as sterilization and birth defects for women.
Typhoid
12.5 million people contract typhoid every year, with Asia, Africa and Latin America the most commonly affected spots.
Your temperature is likely to rise to as high as 40 degrees Celsius if you contract it, with stomach pains, a loss of appetite and headaches all commonly associated with the condition.
It’s most common to catch typhoid in an area where food and water isn’t dealt with in a clean and sanitary manner. Typhoid is the primary reason why people go out of their way to make sure they avoid dangerous eats on holiday.
Worried about picking up one of these horrible conditions on your next holiday? While you should definitely be wary of contracting a virus of this magnitude, don’t let it ruin your holiday.
Take some safety precautions and you should be able to steer clear of these diseases, regardless of where you head for your travels in the coming months and years.
