Cholera is an infection in the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhoea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the faeces of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms. The severity of the diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and death in some cases. Worldwide Cholera affects 3-5 million people and causes 100,000-130,000 deaths a year (2010 data). A Cholera vaccination (course of 2 required) is available which provides good immunity to Cholera.

Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae
that make a toxin (poison). It is the toxin that can cause people to get sick. Diphtheria bacteria
spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted through contaminated food and water or direct contact with an infected person. Travellers are at greatest risk when they visit areas with low levels of sanitation in developing countries. An injection followed by a booster provides long term protection.

Hepatitis B is transmitted through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids including through sexual contact and injecting drug use. Vaccination is recommended for those whose lifestyle or work may put them at risk and for those who may need medical treatment whilst away.

Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) is a bacterial infection that can cause a number of serious illnesses such as pneumonia or meningitis, especially in young children. Hib infections are preventable by vaccination.

An influenza epidemic emerges during flu season each winter. There are two flu seasons annually, corresponding to the occurrence of winter in opposite months in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Studies have shown that flu vaccines provide effective protection against the flu, although protection may not be complete and may vary between people. Protection from the vaccine gradually decreases and flu strains change over time. New vaccines are made each year and people at risk of flu are encouraged to be vaccinated every year.

Japanese Encephalitis is spread to humans by mosquitoes. The disease occurs in parts of Asia. Risk to short-term travellers to Asia is low but risk increases for those who plan to live or travel for long periods of time in infected areas especially if they visit rural areas.

Malaria is a risk in countries with a warm climate, spread by mosquitoes. No vaccine is available and the drugs used to prevent infection are dependent on the area being visited.

Meningococcal disease is spread through direct contact with an infected person or through their coughs and sneezes. Meningococcal disease occurs all over the world with the highest infection rates occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an upper respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis bacteria. It is a serious disease that can cause permanent disability in infants, and even death. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing. The coughing can make it hard to breathe. A deep “whooping” sound is often heard when the patient tries to take a breath. Whooping cough can affect people of any age. The infection usually lasts 6 weeks. Initial symptoms, similar to the common cold, usually develop about a week after exposure to the bacteria. Severe episodes of coughing start about 10 to 12 days later

Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is sometimes referred to as the pneumococcus bacterium. The bacterium can cause several conditions including, pneumonia: inflammation (infection) of the lungs, septicaemia: a form of blood poisoning from an infection in the blood and meningitis: an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone, but children under the age of 2, adults aged over 65 and children and adults with some chronic health conditions at a higher risk of developing a serious health condition as a result of a pneumococcal infection. Two different types of vaccine are available, PCV for children and PPV for adults.

Polio has been eradicated from most countries in the world but remains endemic in some countries.
Travellers should ensure that they are up to date with their polio vaccines and boosters.

Rabies is a fatal disease and is contracted from the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Most deaths from rabies occur in Asia, Africa and Latin America following a bite from an infected dog. Pre-exposure vaccination should be considered for those who may place themselves at risk.

Tetanus is contracted when tetanus spores which are commonly present in the environment enter the body through cuts and scratches. This risk exists everywhere in the world including the UK so keep your protection up to date.

Typhoid is passed through contaminated food and water and is a high risk in countries where sanitation and hygiene standards are poor.

Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB (short for tubercle bacillus) is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease, usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. The Mantoux test is used to detect latent TB infection, to detect recent infection (as shown by conversion of the Mantoux from negative to positive) and as part of the diagnosis of TB disease.

Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB (short for tubercle bacillus) is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease, usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. BCG vaccination is recommended for travellers under 16 years of age who will be living or working with local people for a prolonged period of time (three months or more). Following individual risk assessment, vaccination may also be considered for travellers under the age of 35 years who may be at high risk through their occupation abroad e.g. healthcare workers.

The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine provides protection against the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox. Chickenpox is a common childhood infection. In most cases the symptoms are mild and complications are rare. Almost all children develop immunity to chickenpox after infection, so only catch it once. The disease can be more severe in adults, in particular people who have weakened immune systems through illness, such as HIV, or through treatment, such as chemotherapy.

Yellow Fever is spread by mosquitoes and is found in tropical parts of Africa and South America. Some countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination as proof of yellow fever vaccination before they allow a traveller to enter.

Anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk for developing shingles. It is estimated that 1 million or more cases occur each year in the United States. Shingles can occur in people of all ages and the risk increases as people get older. When shingles develop, a rash or blisters appear on the skin, generally on one side of the body. This is a sign that the virus, that has been dormant in the nerve cells, has reactivated and travelled from the nerves and followed a path out to the skin.

A number of airlines require passengers to produce evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test prior to flying. West Midlands Sunshine Travel Clinic can provide COVID-19 PCR tests with results within 72 hours. Our test shows a minimum sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 100%.

The Test Kit has all the Instructions. You will be sent your results and fitness to travel certificate within 72 hours of receipt of your sample. The total cost of the test and fitness to travel certificate is £175.

A number of airlines require passengers to produce evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test prior to flying. West Midlands Sunshine Travel Clinic can provide COVID-19 PCR tests with results within 72 hours. Our test shows a minimum sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 100%. T

The Test Kit has all the Instructions. You will be sent your results and fitness to travel certificate within 72 hours of receipt of your sample. The total cost of the test and fitness to travel certificate is £175.

The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is the standard method of determining whether a
person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). We perform this Test in our Clinic.

West Midlands Travel Clinic – The Local Private Travel Clinic, for both Holiday and Business travel advice

The West Midlands Travel Clinic, with regular clinics at Dudley, is conveniently located for visitors from Birmingham, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Dudley, Kidderminster, Walsall, Stourbridge and Bromsgrove who require travel health advice and vaccinations for both business and holiday overseas travel to destinations throughout the world.

The travel clinic also provides a specialist travel health advice service to local businesses throughout the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Leicestershire.