Home 5 Diseases for Which There Are No Vaccines
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

5 Diseases for Which There Are No Vaccines

View more publications by University of Washington Press
Search
The Adventurous Traveler’s Guide to Health
This chapter is in the book The Adventurous Traveler’s Guide to Health
 T He BO T T Om LI Nehumans are at risk for, by one count, 1,1 infectious diseases; vac-cines exist for only a handful. The strategies outlined below can reduce your chances of acquiring many of the diseases for which there are no vaccines. d e nG u e F e v e r Dengue fever (pronounced DEN-gee fever; the “g” is hard) is caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes; it is present throughout the tropics. Its name derives from the Swahili ki denga pepo, variously translated as “it is a sudden overtaking by a spirit” and “cramp-like seizure caused by an evil spirit.” There is no vaccine, and no cure. Treatment is “supportive” (rest, hydration, painkillers)—doctors try to make you comfortable until the infection resolves.It’s a crummy illness; the fact that it’s known as “break-bone fever” should give you some idea. You ache—you ache like you’ve 5 Diseases for Which There Are No Vaccines
© 2008, University of Washington Press

 T He BO T T Om LI Nehumans are at risk for, by one count, 1,1 infectious diseases; vac-cines exist for only a handful. The strategies outlined below can reduce your chances of acquiring many of the diseases for which there are no vaccines. d e nG u e F e v e r Dengue fever (pronounced DEN-gee fever; the “g” is hard) is caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes; it is present throughout the tropics. Its name derives from the Swahili ki denga pepo, variously translated as “it is a sudden overtaking by a spirit” and “cramp-like seizure caused by an evil spirit.” There is no vaccine, and no cure. Treatment is “supportive” (rest, hydration, painkillers)—doctors try to make you comfortable until the infection resolves.It’s a crummy illness; the fact that it’s known as “break-bone fever” should give you some idea. You ache—you ache like you’ve 5 Diseases for Which There Are No Vaccines
© 2008, University of Washington Press

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents vii
  3. Acknowledgments ix
  4. Author’s Note xi
  5. Introduction 1
  6. 1 Overview: Risks to International Travelers 7
  7. 2 Immunizations: Routine, Required, Recommended 11
  8. 3 Malaria 41
  9. 4 Urban Medicine: Threats to Health of Travelers to Cities 63
  10. 5 Diseases for Which There Are No Vaccines 83
  11. 6 Travelers’ Diarrhea 93
  12. 7 Traveling with Children 109
  13. 8 Traveling with Chronic Medical Problems 126
  14. 9 High-Altitude Medicine 137
  15. 10 Really, Really Nasty Diseases and Other Threats That are Really, Really Rare, Thank God 149
  16. 11 The Medical Kit 153
  17. 12 Jet Health 159
  18. 13 After Your Trip: If You Feel Good, If You Do Not 166
  19. 14 Some Tips That, Strictly Speaking, Do Not Fall under the Rubric of Travel Health Which I Nonetheless Feel Impelled to Make 170
  20. 15 Resources for the International Traveler 177
  21. Glossary 183
  22. Bibliography 187
  23. About the Author 205
  24. Index 207
Readers are also interested in:
https://doi.org/10.1515/9780295800059-008

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents vii
  3. Acknowledgments ix
  4. Author’s Note xi
  5. Introduction 1
  6. 1 Overview: Risks to International Travelers 7
  7. 2 Immunizations: Routine, Required, Recommended 11
  8. 3 Malaria 41
  9. 4 Urban Medicine: Threats to Health of Travelers to Cities 63
  10. 5 Diseases for Which There Are No Vaccines 83
  11. 6 Travelers’ Diarrhea 93
  12. 7 Traveling with Children 109
  13. 8 Traveling with Chronic Medical Problems 126
  14. 9 High-Altitude Medicine 137
  15. 10 Really, Really Nasty Diseases and Other Threats That are Really, Really Rare, Thank God 149
  16. 11 The Medical Kit 153
  17. 12 Jet Health 159
  18. 13 After Your Trip: If You Feel Good, If You Do Not 166
  19. 14 Some Tips That, Strictly Speaking, Do Not Fall under the Rubric of Travel Health Which I Nonetheless Feel Impelled to Make 170
  20. 15 Resources for the International Traveler 177
  21. Glossary 183
  22. Bibliography 187
  23. About the Author 205
  24. Index 207
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 19.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9780295800059-008/html?srsltid=AfmBOorIAlw7c7-bNSX9IjtFv8DrO-oBtLIs8zejPGnOA03Vd6q4xsV1
Scroll to top button