Madagascar

What Is It?

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus. Hepatitis A virus is widespread and can be found in multiple regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Symptoms of hepatitis A vary and depend on the age of the person infected. Children under age six may have mild disease or not have any symptoms at all. Older children and adults may have mild to severe symptoms, and recovery may be slow.

How is it Acquired?

Contaminated food and water are common ways that hepatitis A is spread. Hepatitis A is spread by human waste containing the virus. Poor sanitary conditions, as well as poor personal hygiene, may lead to the spread of hepatitis A.

Signs and Symptoms

Children under age six may have mild disease or no symptoms at all. Among older children and adults, symptoms may range from mild to severe. These may include:

• Sudden onset of fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Precautions to Take

Some hepatitis A precautions include:

• Only drinking and using safe water for all your activities
• Washing hands often with soap and water
• Eating food that is cooked and served hot
• Only eating fruits and vegetables that have been washed in clean water and that you peeled yourself
• Speak with your healthcare provider about whether you should be vaccinated for
  hepatitis A

What Is It?

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Malaria is present in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Symptoms may range from absent or mild to severe disease and even death.

How is it Acquired?

There are about 380 types of the mosquito that spread malaria, and about 60 of these types prefer biting humans. The mosquitos that spread malaria are most active between sunset and sunrise, and depending on the type, bite indoors or outdoors. Environmental conditions play a role in the spread of malaria because they affect the number of mosquitos present and their survival. In many places, the spread of malaria is seasonal, peaking during and just after the rainy season.

Signs and Symptoms

Malaria is characterized by high fever. Other symptoms of malaria include:

• Chills
• Sweats
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Body aches
• A general feeling of discomfort

Precautions to Take

Avoiding mosquito bites may prove difficult, especially between sunset and sunrise when the mosquitos that spread malaria are most active. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to help minimize mosquito bites, such as:

• Sleeping in a room with window/door screens
• Using air conditioning
• Using mosquito repellent on bare skin
• Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, socks, and shoes
• Treating clothes and shoes with mosquito repellent
• Using a mosquito net treated with mosquito repellent over the bed

What Is It?

Typhoid fever is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi. Typhoid fever is found in most parts of the world (except industrialized regions); travelers are especially prone in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

How is it Acquired?

Consuming contaminated food and water increases chance of infection. Another source of typhoid fever infection includes contaminated water that is used for drinking or washing/preparing food. Typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where routine handwashing is not practiced and water treatment is not to standard.

Signs and Symptoms

With typhoid fever, some people may only have a fever that comes on gradually but increases over the first week of illness. Others may have additional flu-like symptoms, including:

• Headache
• Inability to eat
• Muscle pain
• General feeling of discomfort
• Mild confusion
• Non-productive cough
• Diarrhea • Constipation
• Abdominal pain

Precautions to Take

Some typhoid fever precautions include:

• Only drinking and using safe water for all your activities
• Washing hands often with soap and water
• Eating food that is cooked and served hot
• Only eating fruits and vegetables that have been washed in clean water and that you peeled yourself