A new vaccine that is under development might just end the fight against polio and some other infectious diseases. In an effort funded by more than $600,000 in grant money from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, researchers hope to create a synthetic polio vaccine that minimizes the probability of side effects that the oral vaccine can sometimes have.

The team of England-based researchers hopes to create a vaccine that protects against polio but does not include the live virus that oral and dermal polio vaccines contain. This type of vaccine is safer for use in developing countries, faster acting and easier to produce, making it ideal for use in countries like Pakistan and Nigeria where the disease is still endemic.

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Measles and mumps have both been top news items lately with headlines talking about outbreaks across North America.  According to the Centers for Disease Control in the United States and multiple other organizations, the best way of preventing these diseases is through vaccination, typically with an MMR shot.  This shot protects against measles, mumps and rubella.  Rubella is a similar disease that has gone generally unnoticed during the last few months of outbreak, so we aim to provide additional information about rubella here.

Rubella, sometimes called German measles, is a contagious disease that causes rash, fever, aching joints, and sometimes much more serious complications as well.  The disease is perhaps most perilous for pregnant mothers and their unborn children who can develop serious complications if they contract the disease.

The CDC has stated that vaccinating pregnant mothers is, sadly, not an option when it comes to the MMR vaccine.  Therefore, it is best to receive the vaccination before pregnancy, preferably at a younger age, and the CDC suggests the MMR vaccine be first given to people aged four to six-years.

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Everyone loves to travel, but sometimes life events can get in the way. Work, school, and social commitments can make taking a vacation challenging. Family can also make travel challenging, especially for people who are just starting one. Many people believe that traveling is impossible while pregnant, but, by following a few simple tips (and talking with a physician, of course!) it can be just as fun while pregnant as it would be at any other time.

Traveling while pregnant is generally safe unless otherwise indicated by a physician. Before planning a trip during pregnancy, however, talk with your primary care doctors about what you will be doing and whether it is advisable to do so. A doctor may recommend changing travel plans slightly depending on your specific situation.

The second trimester of pregnancy is considered the best time for travel as morning sickness has generally ended and other related early risk factors are reduced. Some airlines do have rules regarding pregnant travel, and these are typically related to having medical approval before traveling during the ninth month.

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The current measles outbreak has shed renewed light on the need for vaccination and the danger that diseases pose to the unvaccinated. To understand just how rapidly measles can impact the unvaccinated, here is a timeline of events of the current outbreak, from ‘patient zero’ visiting a California theme park to the most recent updates from the CDC.

For more information about measles and the importance of the measles vaccination, see Passport Health’s newly updated web page on the disease.

Are there any other timelines you would like to see? Let us know in the comments below or on the Passport Health Facebook page!

Measles is a potentially deadly disease that spreads rapidly in an unvaccinated population. Especially due to the media attention the disease has garnered recently and the fact that we are still in flu season, you may be wondering whether an illness is influenza, measles, or maybe something else. Although you should always receive a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, the infographic posted below is a quick guide to some of the key differences between measles and influenza.

Remember that both influenza and measles are preventable through vaccination. Both vaccines have been deemed safe by the Centers for Disease Control and are very effective at stopping the spread of the viruses and lessening their effects should you still get infected.

For more information about influenza, see the Passport Health influenza portal, and, for information on measles, see our measles page.

Any further questions? Comment below, look us up on Facebook, tweet us, or email us, and we’ll see what we can do to help or even help you arrange an appointment with a Passport Health specialist!