There’s a reason millions flock to the Caribbean every year for some rest and relaxation.

No matter what your desires are for the trip, some island in the area will suffice.

Unending beaches complement lush rainforests and some spirited locals. The region offers 28 different nations and over 7,000 islands to choose from for a tropical getaway.

But, all these travel options come with a downside.

Mosquitoes, dirty water and foreign bacteria make it easy to catch a disease during that visit. To spend the vacation relaxing or searching for adventure, you’ll need some health preparations before the trip.

[Read more…]

The yellow fever vaccine goes a long way in helping you avoid a deadly disease.

It just so happens that yellow fever may not be the only disease you’re preventing with that shot.

The yellow fever vaccine can reduce breast cancer risk by 54 percent, according to a recent study.

While scientists are still looking into the results, the reduced risk of cancer seems to only affect one age group. Only women between the ages of 40 and 54 showed a smaller likelihood of breast cancer years after getting the shot.

[Read more…]

Heroes are cool, but it’s really easy to rally around a good villain.

The Lex Luthors. The Hans Grubers. The Lord Voldemorts.

It’s much harder to pinpoint the bad guy when it comes to disease.

While germs and bacteria make up the illness, they don’t provide a visible target to resent.

No, the blame and contempt for an epidemic often falls on “patient zero”.

This is how we get legends like Typhoid Mary. Vilified for carrying the deadly disease throughout New York, even though she had no idea what her actions could create.

[Read more…]

The image of a pus-filled lesion can bring up many reactions. Most often, someone may feel revulsion, disgust or even nausea.

But, for soldiers fighting in the trenches during the Civil War, those lesions could inspire hope.

Not hope in the war efforts, but for their own safety.

The violent battles may get attention for causing death in the Civil War, but disease was the real danger. Typhoid fever, measles and tuberculosis were among the many deadly viruses that killed more than the war itself.

Among the most dangerous of these diseases was smallpox.

[Read more…]

From Zika to measles, Brazil has experience in handling outbreaks over the last few years.

That history may be helpful with the yellow fever outbreak spreading throughout the country.

Brazil reported 70 yellow fever cases this year as of January 24, according to the World Health Organization.

The virus caused 40 deaths so far and hundreds of possible cases are under investigation.

[Read more…]