Health - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 1066

Cause Mosquito-borne
Prevention Insect-avoidance measures
Hepatitis A
Risk Very common in all countries
Cause Food- and water-borne virus
Symptoms Infects the liver, causing jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), nausea and lethargy
Treatment No specific treatment, just allow time for the liver to heal
Prevention All travellers to the Mekong region should be vaccinated against hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Risk All countries. In some parts of the Mekong region, up to 20% of the population carry hepatitis B, and
usually are unaware of this
Cause Spread by body fluids, including sexual contact
Long-Term Consequences Possible liver cancer and cirrhosis, among others
Prevention Vaccination (it's the only STD that can be prevented by vaccination)
Hepatitis E
Risk All countries, but far less common than Hepatitus A
Cause Contaminated food and water
Symptoms Similar symptoms to hepatitis A
Consequences Severe in pregnant women, can result in the death of both mother and baby
Prevention Currently no vaccine; follow safe eating and drinking guidelines
HIV
Risk All countries; Vietnam has worst and most rapidly increasing HIV problem in region
Cause Heterosexual sex is main method of transmission in region
Consequences One of the most common causes of death in people under the age of 50 in Thailand
Influenza (flu)
Risk All countries; present year-round
Symptoms High fever, muscle aches, runny nose, cough and sore throat