Many have never heard of Legionnaires’ disease, but this bacteria-caused illness is making headlines after reported outbreaks in New York City this summer. The disease was blamed for 12 deaths over 119 reported cases until the outbreak was declared over by early August of 2015. However, in October of this year, three Chicago schools shut down due to reports of possibly high risk of contracting the disease. In both cases, the bacteria were traced to cooling towers in the city. In reality, Legionnaires’ disease affects thousands of people annually in the United States.

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You’re on vacation, having fun, eating all kinds of new foods, but, then, it happens. It starts with a headache that quickly becomes a fever, and, suddenly, your dream vacation has become the stuff nightmares are made of. That is what listeriosis can do.

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Signs of Post-Travel Sickness

When most people return from a trip to an exotic location, they bring home photos, keepsakes, and gift items for family and friends. However, fever, upset stomach, and other physical ailments can also accompany a traveler home. Although most post-travel symptoms are generally mild and may be similar to the common cold or mild digestive system upset, there are some signs that may indicate a more serious problem. People who experience unusual or more severe symptoms following a trip abroad should seek medical attention immediately.

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Chickenpox and shingles may be closely related, but vaccination for the two is a separate affair. The pair share a root disease, varicella zoster, that activates to create each virus.

And yet, you need separate vaccines to prevent each disease.

Why is this? Why wouldn’t the same vaccine work for both? There are a few reasons.

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When traveling abroad, there are a variety of options for travel health and travel medicine. Many individuals don’t know where to go or what to do when starting their journey. Often, these individuals embark on a long search, but what they find may not be best option for them. We’ll look at some of the pre-travel options and consider what is best for travelers visiting various places around the globe.

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