Staying Healthy While Traveling This Summer

As summer approaches and temperatures climb, travelers are planning trips to warm and tropical destinations, many of which have been affected by the Zika Virus. In addition to booking that plane ticket and reading up on local activities, it is critical that travelers learn how best to protect themselves from Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases including malaria. Zika, which has continued making global headlines since its recent resurgence, is a virus that spreads through either the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito or sexual transmission. This type of mosquito thrives in warmer climates and is found throughout the world, including the southern part of the United States. Zika symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis or red eyes. While anyone can be infected, the disease poses a particular threat to pregnant women as it can cause microcephaly and may cause other severe brain defects in babies. While not all newborn babies with Zika exposure will have microcephaly, there is a greater risk. Stemming from this threat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that pregnant women, no matter what trimester, or women hoping to become pregnant, should postpone or reconsider travel to Zika endemic regions. If a pregnant woman is infected, she can pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy or delivery. There is no vaccine to prevent contracting the Zika virus, therefore preventing mosquito bites...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news