The 14 Most Common Diseases to Watch Out for When Traveling Abroad
Accessing remote regions around the world is getting easier and easier, and our travels reflect that. With more international destinations opening their borders to global travelers, it’s essential to know the common diseases that you could be exposed to.
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It always pays to be prepared for the worst, regardless of whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. Note: certain areas come with a higher risk of infection, so it’s advisable to check the latest health announcements and secure international health insurance ahead of time.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 14 most common diseases to watch out for when traveling abroad. You can dive into our articles that go deeper into each disease and offer travel advice for each after reading this one. Let’s dive in.
Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever is a virus that’s spread by mosquitoes and is present in many areas of the world. There is currently no vaccine or treatment available, so your only way of protecting yourself from dengue fever while traveling is to cover bare skin and apply insect repellent to deter mosquitoes.
The species of mosquito that causes dengue fever, Aedes aegypti, bites during the day. The dengue virus causes flu-like symptoms that can take up to 14 days to develop and usually last for around a week, including:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Eye, muscle, and joint pain
Note that there are four serotypes of the virus, which are all present globally. Even though infection can help you become immune to that type later on, infection with other serotypes can result in more severe symptoms than the initial exposure (e.g. Dengue hemorrhagic fever).
Yellow Fever
The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can cause even more issues with the yellow fever virus, which is called that since a person can become jaundiced (or “yellow”) upon infection. Other yellow fever symptoms include chills, fever, headache, backache, and muscle aches.
A fraction of those infected develops a serious illness that can cause shock, bleeding, organ failure, and even death. The WHO estimates 200,000 cases of yellow fever annually, with the majority of them occurring in Africa. There is no treatment for the virus, making vaccines essential for protection.
Travelers must receive a vaccine a minimum of 30 days before travel to get lifelong protection against yellow fever. Seasoned travelers are familiar with having to provide proof of yellow fever vaccination in certain countries to help prevent the disease from entering or spreading in the country.
Chikungunya
Yet another mosquito-related disease on this list is chikungunya, a viral illness that spreads to humans via an infected mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on a person who already has the virus, and can continue to spread the virus to others through bites – day or night.
Since vaccines or medicines are available, travelers must protect themselves against chikungunya by covering up and using insect repellent. Chikungunya symptoms typically start 3 to 7 days after an infected mosquito bite, with the most common being fever and joint pain. Other symptoms include:
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Rash
- Joint swelling
While the majority of people feel better within 7 days, some people can experience ongoing joint pain for months. The mosquitoes that spread this virus are found globally, with countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans islands putting travelers at risk of infection.
Zika Virus
If you’re traveling to an area with moist, warm climates then one common disease you want to be aware of is the Zika virus. The Zika virus is spread mainly through a bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (i.e. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), which can occur throughout the day and night.
Many people with the Zika virus won’t display any symptoms or only mild ones. Common symptoms of Zika include rash, headache, fever, joint pain, muscle pain, and conjunctivitis. What’s more, the virus can spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and potentially cause certain birth defects.
Consequently, pregnant women are advised against traveling to areas with Zika outbreaks. Since no vaccine is currently available, the best way to prevent Zika while traveling is to protect yourself from mosquito bites, such as by using insect repellent and wearing long loose clothing.
Rabies
Rabies is a serious virus that spreads to humans through infected animal saliva, typically from an animal bite or scratch. Most humans get rabies from dogs, though monkeys, cats, and bats can also spread the virus. Rabies symptoms usually appear around 3 to 10 weeks after exposure.
There is no specific treatment available for rabies once symptoms occur. That means the disease is usually fatal for those who experience symptoms. Headaches, fever, and pain/numbness at the bite site are early symptoms, which can progress into muscle spasms, hallucinations, paralysis, and more.
The viral infection affects the brain and spinal cord, making it crucial to get a course of rabies vaccinations before traveling to areas where rabies is considered a risk. Antarctica is the only continent in the world where rabies isn’t present, while Asia and Africa have the most human cases.
Typhoid Fever
This bacterial infection spreads through contaminated water and food and can cause life-threatening fever. Travelers have a higher risk of contracting typhoid fever in South Asia, though the disease is also present in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean.
High fevers, headaches, stomach pains, weakness, and loss of appetite are common symptoms at the start. Travelers are advised to get vaccinated before heading abroad. However, the vaccine only protects up to 80% of recipients so it’s best to be careful about the food and drink you consume.
Note that while antibiotics can be used to treat typhoid fever, drug-resistant bacteria are starting to emerge. Your best bet is to drink bottled water only and avoid street food, ice in drinks, and unpeeled fruits and vegetables – as yummy as they may look!
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is found in most of the developing world. Even though the Hepatitis virus comes in several forms (i.e. A, B, C, and D), Hepatitis A is especially vital for travelers to be aware of since it spreads through uncooked food and contaminated water.
In fact, Hepatitis A is one of the most common causes of foodborne infections. The most common symptoms of Hepatitis A include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Malaise
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dark-colored urine
- Jaundice
There is no treatment for Hepatitis A, which affects up to 1.5 million people annually. Fortunately, vaccines for the virus are safe and effective – and highly advisable for most travelers. It’s wise to make smart food and beverage choices to avoid potential liver disease or severe illness.
Schistosomiasis
Bilharzia, a Schistosoma parasitic worm that causes Schistosomiasis. is carried by freshwater snails. The snails contaminate freshwater ponds, lakes, and wetlands by releasing the worms’ larvae. The larvae then penetrate through the skin, such as the soles of one’s feet.
The World Health Organization declared the worm as endemic in over 50 countries where feces of those infected with the worm contaminate the water through parasitic eggs. Symptoms like cough, chills, fever, and muscle aches can take up to 6 weeks to develop, though some people never develop any.
The severity of symptoms depends on the number of parasites present in the body. To avoid infection, those traveling to areas with schistosomiasis should steer clear of swimming in fresh water and always heat water before using it for bathing.
While no vaccine exists, praziquantel is a drug that’ll kill parasites within a couple of days.
Lyme Disease
Heading to Asia, Europe, or North America? Then you’ll want to be aware of Lyme disease, a disease that’s caused by bacteria that spreads through infected black-legged tick bites. Lyme disease symptoms include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Erythema migrans (a characteristic skin rash)
The infection spreads to the joints, heart, and nervous system if left untreated. Infected ticks must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more for the Lyme disease bacterium to transmit, so spotting and removing any ticks can prevent infection.
The disease can be treated with antibiotics if it’s caught early enough. To protect yourself, be sure to use insect repellent when traveling to areas with Lyme disease – especially if you’re spending time in the wilderness.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is present in all parts of the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. 1.6 million people died from tuberculosis in 2021, making it one of the greatest infectious causes of death globally.
Tuberculosis can exist in a “latent” state, which means people can carry the bacteria without it ever turning into a disease. The airborne disease spreads between humans and primarily affects your lungs, though it can spread throughout the body, with symptoms that include:
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Prolonged cough
- Night coughs
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
While there is a vaccination, its limited protection in adults is concerning. Young children who have yet to be exposed to tuberculosis bacteria are offered the greatest protection. An extensive course of antibiotics can help treat and cure tuberculosis.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese Encephalitis is a vaccine-preventable virus that spreads through mosquito bites and can result in brain inflammation. Most people who become infected experience no to mild symptoms. Early symptoms that can progress to severe disease include headache, fever, and vomiting.
Disorientation, coma, and seizures may follow, with the latter being more common in children. Travelers can get infected by the Japanese encephalitis virus if they’re bitten by an infected mosquito in certain parts of Asia and the Western Pacific, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors.
To protect yourself against Japanese encephalitis, it’s best to get vaccinated if you’re spending a month or more in areas with the virus or frequently travel to high-risk areas. Likewise, be sure to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and keep mosquitoes out of your accommodation.
Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal meningitis, or meningococcal disease, spreads through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with respiratory secretions and causes severe systemic infection. The acute bacterial disease has 13 different serogroups, with groups B and C being the most common in the UK.
It’s crucial to seek medical care if you experience one or more of the following symptoms of meningococcal disease:
- Nausea
- Sudden onset of fever
- Vomiting
- Intense headache
- Stiff neck
- Photophobia (intolerance of light)
- Petechial rash (blood spots under the skin)
Respiratory infections can be difficult to prevent, but it helps to follow basic respiratory hygiene practices when coughing and sneezing. Similarly, you can avoid overcrowded areas to reduce the risk of exposure when traveling to areas with meningococcal disease.
Vaccinations can offer protection against several meningococcal strains while antibiotic treatment can start as soon as the disease is detected. Antibiotic treatments may also be necessary for those in close contact with meningitis patients.
MERS-CoV
MERS, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, is a disease caused by a coronavirus called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). MERS patients often develop a severe respiratory illness with symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, and fever.
MERS can affect any individual, with patients ranging from under one to 99 years old. MERS-CoV spreads from infected people to others via close contact, such as living or caring for a person with the virus. There is no vaccine to protect against MERS, making hygiene practices imperative.
About 30-40% of patients with MERS have died. All MERS cases have been connected to traveling to or residing in countries in and around the Arabian Peninsula. The largest reported outbreak of MERS outside of the area occurred in the Republic of Korea in 2015 through a returning traveler.
Avian Influenza
Avian influenza, or ‘bird flu’, is a flu virus that birds spread. Avian influenza infection is present in birds globally, making it possible for humans to get infected anywhere in the world. While there are several strains of the virus, H5N1 and H7N9 have caused the most issues in humans.
It typically takes 3 to 5 days for early symptoms like cough, sore throat, aching muscles, and fever to develop following exposure to the virus. It’s rare for the virus to spread to people who’ve had close contact with infected birds and cause an illness that resembles severe flu.
No vaccine is available for avian influenza, however, antiviral drugs (e.g. Tamiflu and Relenza) can be used for treatment. Be sure to check if there are any travel restrictions regarding avian influenza in the country you’re traveling to, and to avoid contact with or eating raw/undercooked poultry.
Tips for Travelers: International Travel and Common Diseases
The reality is that many diseases are only one trip away. It’s recommended to contact your primary healthcare provider or travel clinic as soon as you have travel plans (ideally 4 to 6 weeks before travel) so you have enough time to get the necessary medications and vaccines.
You’ll want to seek care even if your trip is happening soon, so seek a clinic that caters to last-minute travelers if that’s the case. It’s vital to understand the current health risks in your destination to prepare for the trip, even if you’ve been there before.
Conclusion
Whether you need travel medication or immunization, these costs can quickly add up. Plus, they’re not always covered by insurance. It’s best to tell your healthcare provider about your travel plans before leaving and any symptoms after returning to prepare for and prevent travel-related diseases.
Even if you already have a health insurance plan in place, you might want to purchase travel insurance or add-on benefits like emergency evacuation to cover any unexpected medical costs that may occur when abroad. However, the world of insurance can be tricky to navigate without expert assistance.
Contact our insurance advisors for impartial insurance advice and a free plan comparison today!
If you liked this article, read our in-depth article on dengue travel advice for expats next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top four most common travel diseases?
Malaria, influenza, Hepatitis, and rabies are some of the most common health problems associated with travel.
What’s the most common illness travelers can get?
Dengue and influenza are common travel-related illnesses with incubation periods of 2 weeks or less.
What diseases can you get while traveling?
Some diseases you can get abroad include Hepatitis A, dengue fever, tuberculosis, typhoid Fever, and yellow fever.
What are the most common diseases?
Allergies, colds and flu, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, headaches, and stomach aches are common illnesses globally.
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How can expats stay informed about health risks and disease outbreaks specific to their region of residence? Are there any recommended health screenings or regular check-ups expats should consider to monitor their well-being while living abroad?
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