Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rix) is given as an injection: a single dose will give protection for up to a year, and a
booster after a year gives 10-year protection. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines can also be
given as a single-dose vaccine, hepatyrix or viatim.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual intercourse.
It can also be spread from an infected mother to the baby during childbirth. It affects the
liver, causing jaundice and occasionally liver failure. Most people recover completely, but
some people might be chronic carriers of the virus, which could lead eventually to cir-
rhosis or liver cancer. Those visiting high-risk areas for long periods or those with in-
creased social or occupational risk should be immunised.
Many countries now give hepatitis B as part of the routine childhood vaccinations. It's
given singly or can be given at the same time as hepatitis A (hepatyrix). A course will
give protection for at least five years. It can be given over four weeks or six months.
HIV
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is an enormous problem throughout Ethiopia and Dji-
bouti. It's also an issue in Somaliland, though on a smaller scale. The virus is spread
through infected blood and blood products, by sexual intercourse with an infected partner
and from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth and breastfeeding. It can be
spread through 'blood to blood' contacts, such as with contaminated instruments during
medical, dental, acupuncture and other body-piercing procedures, and through sharing
used intravenous needles. At present there's no cure; medication that might keep the dis-
ease under control is available, but these drugs are too expensive for the overwhelming
majority of Africans, and are not readily available for travellers either. If you think you
might have been infected with HIV, a blood test is necessary; a three-month gap after ex-
posure and before testing is required to allow antibodies to appear in the blood.
Leishmaniasis
This is spread through the bite of an infected sandfly. It can cause a slowly growing skin
lump or ulcer (the cutaneous form) and sometimes a life-threatening fever with anaemia
and weight loss. Dogs can also be carriers of the infection. Sandfly bites should be
avoided whenever possible.
