Health - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 1070

Treatment If an animal bites you, gently wash wound with soap and water, apply iodine-based antiseptic
and immediately seek medical advice and commence post-exposure treatment. If you are not pre- vaccinated
you will need to receive rabies immunoglobulin as soon as possible
Prevention Pre-travel vaccination simplifies post-bite treatment
Schistosomiasis
Risk All countries
Cause Tiny parasite that enters the skin after swimming in contaminated water
Symptoms Travellers usually only get a light infection and are asymptomatic. If you are concerned, you can
be tested three months after exposure. On rare occasions, travellers may develop 'Katayama fever'. This oc-
curs some weeks after exposure, as the parasite passes through the lungs and causes an allergic reaction -
symptoms are coughing and fever
Treatment Medications
Strongyloides
Risk Common in travellers to Cambodia, Laos and Thailand
Cause Parasite transmitted by skin contact with soil
Symptoms Unusual skin rash called larva currens - a linear rash on the trunk that comes and goes. Most
people don't have other symptoms until their immune system becomes severely suppressed, when the para-
site can cause an overwhelming infection
Treatment Medications
Tuberculosis
Risk All countries; rare in travellers, more common in medical and aid workers who have significant con-
tact with local population
Symptoms Fever, cough, weight loss, night sweats and tiredness
Prevention Vaccination usually only given to children under the age of five; adults at risk are recommended
to have pre- and post-travel TB testing
Typhoid
Risk All countries
Cause Spread via food and water
Symptoms Serious bacterial infection results in high and slowly progressive fever, headache; may be ac-
companied by a dry cough and stomach pain. Diagnosis requires a blood test