Travel Health topics
- Air travel, DVT and jet lag
- Bites and stings
- Dehydration and heat
- Gastroenteritis, tummy bugs and food safety
- Hepatitis A, B and C
Other travel risks
Read about some of the problems that can occur when you are travelling.
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness, caused by the relative lack of oxygen available at high altitudes, can be life-threatening. Acclimatisation will help prevent it.
Altitude sickness reduced by ibuprofen
Altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness) may be reduced by taking ibuprofen, a study in the US has found.
Avoid campfire burns: douse with water not sand
Dousing a campfire with water, not sand, is the only safe way to extinguish the fire, and help avoid ember burns.
Biological warfare: what you need to know
Many biological agents have been developed as weapons. Find out about those thought to pose the most serious risk, and how they might be released.
Bird flu: new strain on rise in Asia
A new strain of deadly bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza) is spreading through Asia, raising fresh bird flu fears, UN warns.
Bird flu: no threat to Australia from new strain
Australia will remain free of bird flu despite the rise in Asia of a variant strain of avian influenza H5N1 virus, experts say.
Black henna tattoos may cause allergic skin reactions
Temporary `black` henna tattoos applied in Asia or the Middle East may lead to allergic contact dermatitis.
Blisters
A blister is a lump filled with fluid that appears when the skin s outer layer is injured. The fluid forms under the damaged skin and protects the sensitive new skin growing underneath it.
Full-body airport scans: expert confirms safety
Fears that airport scanners may expose passengers to excessive radiation are misplaced, a US expert says.
Influenza risk increased when exposed to coughing on flights
Sitting within 2 rows of a person with influenza on a long-haul flight increases your risk of catching the infection.
Leptospirosis an additional hazard for adventure seekers
The recent growth of adventure and eco travel means that agricultural workers are no longer the only group in Australia at risk from leptospirosis.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness. Find out about the symptoms of Lyme disease, diagnosis, tests and treatment.
Melioidosis spread in contaminated water
Melioidosis is being spread through contaminated groundwater in north Queensland and people should take precautions, such as wearing covered footwear and cleaning exposed sores and cuts.
Motion sickness
Motion sickness is not an illness, but a normal human reaction to unusual movements.
Rabies: information for travellers
Rabies is a viral disease spread by bites from infected animals.
Seat belts
Tragedies can be avoided by the correct use of seat belts, child restraints and baby restraints.
Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): who is most at risk?
Swine flu - influenza A (H1N1)
Swine influenza, known as swine flu or influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory virus which caused a pandemic in 2009. Find out about swine flu symptoms, treatment and vaccination.
Swine flu alert as cases mount worldwide
Fears are mounting that an international outbreak of swine flu may spread to Australia.
Swine flu more contagious than seasonal influenza
The strain of swine flu continuing to spread around the world is more contagious than seasonal influenza, the World Health Organization warns.
Swine flu vaccine: experts promote safety
Ongoing outbreaks of swine flu could continue through summer, and vaccination now could protect people against a resurgence of the virus in early autumn.
Swine flu: chronically ill hit hardest
People who are obese and those with asthma, heart disease or diabetes are at especially high risk of developing complications from swine flu.
Water excess a risk for Kokoda trekkers
Exercise-associated hyponatraemia - low blood salt levels linked to exercise and drinking too much water - is a concern among Kokoda trekkers, study suggests.
Altitude sickness, caused by the relative lack of oxygen available at high altitudes, can be life-threatening. Acclimatisation will help prevent it.
Altitude sickness reduced by ibuprofen
Altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness) may be reduced by taking ibuprofen, a study in the US has found.
Avoid campfire burns: douse with water not sand
Dousing a campfire with water, not sand, is the only safe way to extinguish the fire, and help avoid ember burns.
Biological warfare: what you need to know
Many biological agents have been developed as weapons. Find out about those thought to pose the most serious risk, and how they might be released.
Bird flu: new strain on rise in Asia
A new strain of deadly bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza) is spreading through Asia, raising fresh bird flu fears, UN warns.
Bird flu: no threat to Australia from new strain
Australia will remain free of bird flu despite the rise in Asia of a variant strain of avian influenza H5N1 virus, experts say.
Black henna tattoos may cause allergic skin reactions
Temporary `black` henna tattoos applied in Asia or the Middle East may lead to allergic contact dermatitis.
Blisters
A blister is a lump filled with fluid that appears when the skin s outer layer is injured. The fluid forms under the damaged skin and protects the sensitive new skin growing underneath it.
Full-body airport scans: expert confirms safety
Fears that airport scanners may expose passengers to excessive radiation are misplaced, a US expert says.
Influenza risk increased when exposed to coughing on flights
Sitting within 2 rows of a person with influenza on a long-haul flight increases your risk of catching the infection.
Leptospirosis an additional hazard for adventure seekers
The recent growth of adventure and eco travel means that agricultural workers are no longer the only group in Australia at risk from leptospirosis.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness. Find out about the symptoms of Lyme disease, diagnosis, tests and treatment.
Melioidosis spread in contaminated water
Melioidosis is being spread through contaminated groundwater in north Queensland and people should take precautions, such as wearing covered footwear and cleaning exposed sores and cuts.
Motion sickness
Motion sickness is not an illness, but a normal human reaction to unusual movements.
Rabies: information for travellers
Rabies is a viral disease spread by bites from infected animals.
Seat belts
Tragedies can be avoided by the correct use of seat belts, child restraints and baby restraints.
Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): who is most at risk?
Swine flu - influenza A (H1N1)
Swine influenza, known as swine flu or influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory virus which caused a pandemic in 2009. Find out about swine flu symptoms, treatment and vaccination.
Swine flu alert as cases mount worldwide
Fears are mounting that an international outbreak of swine flu may spread to Australia.
Swine flu more contagious than seasonal influenza
The strain of swine flu continuing to spread around the world is more contagious than seasonal influenza, the World Health Organization warns.
Swine flu vaccine: experts promote safety
Ongoing outbreaks of swine flu could continue through summer, and vaccination now could protect people against a resurgence of the virus in early autumn.
Swine flu: chronically ill hit hardest
People who are obese and those with asthma, heart disease or diabetes are at especially high risk of developing complications from swine flu.
Water excess a risk for Kokoda trekkers
Exercise-associated hyponatraemia - low blood salt levels linked to exercise and drinking too much water - is a concern among Kokoda trekkers, study suggests.
