Travel Clinic in Calgary

Hepatitis A is a virus that is transmitted person to person through the fecal-oral route or by consuming contaminated food or water. Unlike hepatitis C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic infection and is a self-limiting disease that typically resolves in 2 months. Those infected with hepatitis A will experience symptoms of fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice (present in over 70% of older children and adults). In children, most infections are asymptomatic.
This vaccine is used for the prevention of disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus in persons 12 months of age and older. The primary dose should be given at least 2 weeks prior to expected exposure to HAV. Ranchland Pharmacy can administer a course of Hepatitis A vaccine shots that will give protection against Hepatitis A.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. The virus usually passes into a host via damaged skin (eg, lesions, needlesticks) or mucous membranes, such as the eyes or genitalia. HBV is viable for at least 7 days outside a host; therefore, the virus can be spread for days in areas visited by an infected individual. HBV can incubate for 40 to 90 days before signs and symptoms are detected.
At Ranchland Pharmacy we can provide a course of the vaccine that provides long-term protection from hepatitis B.

Rabies is a very serious viral infection that targets the brain and nervous system. You can catch rabies if you are bitten by an infected animal and haven’t been vaccinated. It’s almost always fatal once symptoms develop, but can be prevented if treatment is given promptly after exposure.Although rabies is unlikely, you should also seek immediate medical help if you’re bitten or scratched by a pet that has travelled abroad and has an uncertain vaccination history.
It can take a while for symptoms to develop, but when they do the condition is almost always fatal.
Symptoms in humans can include:

• A high temperature (fever)
• An irrational fear of water (hydrophobia)
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Fear of drafts of air (aerophobia)
• Confusion or aggressive behaviour

A number of vaccines can be used to prevent a rabies infection developing. Routine (pre-exposure) vaccination is usually only recommended if you regularly work with potentially infected animals or are travelling to a part of the world known to have high levels of rabies and limited medical care.A course of rabies vaccine can also prevent rabies from developing after a potential exposure, provided it is started promptly. Before you travel, you should seek advice about whether you need a rabies vaccination.

Yellow fever is a serious viral infection that’s spread by certain types of mosquito. The condition can be prevented with a vaccination and is a very rare cause of illness in travellers.Six travellers from Europe and North America have died from yellow fever since 1996. The virus that causes yellow fever is passed to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that spread the infection are usually active and bite during daylight hours, from dusk until dawn, and are found in both urban and rural areas.Yellow fever can’t be passed directly from person to person through close contact.

The symptoms of yellow fever occur in two stages. The initial symptoms develop three to six days after infection, and can include:

• A high temperature (fever)
• A headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle pain, including backache
• Loss of appetite

The vaccination against yellow fever should be given at least 10 days before travelling to an area where the infection is found, to allow your body to develop protection against the virus that causes the infection.Some countries require a proof of vaccination certificate before they will let you enter the country. This will only become valid 10 days after you are vaccinated.

Japanese Encephalitis is a viral infection that affects the brain. It is most common in rural areas of South East Asia, Pacific Islands and the Far East however it rarely presents itself in travellers. Unfortunately there is no cure for Japanese Encephalitis other than infected persons being admitted into hospital for the purposes of treating the symptoms whilst the body fights off the infection. Japanese Encephalitis is a virus that is transmitted through mosquito bites. Pigs and water birds are the acting source of the virus and these are the animals that mosquitos feed of. Different times of the year make the transmission rate decrease, rainy seasons being the highest at risk.

The vaccination is given as an injection and requires two doses for full protection, with the second dose given 28 days after the first. Booster at 12 months if at continuous risk.
All others, boost between 12-24 months.

Typhoid Fever is a bacterial infection caused by ingesting unsafe food or water. Typhoid fever is common in under-developed countries, travelers to Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America should take precaution.
Vaccination is available in two forms. There are oral capsules, a live vaccine offering 5-year protection, that are taken orally over a course of 7 days. Or an injection form, an inactivated vaccine offering 2-year protection, that is given as a single dose. Please allow two weeks to build immunity before you depart for your destination.

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis are very serious diseases. Tdap vaccine can protect us from these diseases. And, Tdap vaccine given to pregnant women can protect newborn babies against pertussis.

TETANUS – It causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness, usually all over the body. It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can’t open your mouth, swallow, or sometime even breathe. Tetanus kills about 1 out of 10 people who are infected even after receiving the best medical care.

DIPHTHERIA – It can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death.

PERTUSSIS – (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells, which can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting and disturbed sleep. It can also lead to weight loss, incontinence, and rib fractures. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications, which could include pneumonia or death.

Ask Our Travel Health Consultant if you need any of these vaccines.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:

• A high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
• Being sick
• A headache
• A blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won’t always develop)
• A stiff neck
• A dislike of bright lights
• Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• Seizures (fits)

These symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear.