IN this month's column I am going to examine the vaccines that are used today to prevent illness abroad. To begin, did you know that only five per cent of travel-related illnesses are preventable by vaccination? Today the vaccines that are used are very safe and have very few unpleasant side effects so it is well worth getting your jab before to you go.

Tetanus

Tetanus, diptheria and polio are diseases that have been around for many years and still, they can kill anyone who remains unvaccinated. Tetanus is caused by the entry of a nasty bacteria into a wound. This bacteria is found in animal faeces and sometimes in human faeces. The risk of tetanus is worldwide - even here in Ireland. The tetanus vaccination became available in 1938 though it was not made widely accessible to everyone until 1961. If you are travelling anywhere in the world, it is advisable that you ensure you have a tetanus vaccination.

Diptheria

Diptheria is an infection of the upper airways (nose and throat) and it is contracted by inhaling the particular germ that causes this disease. Diptheria has been virtually removed from the UK, however in 1990 there was an outbreak of this in the Ukraine. Today the World Health Organisation tells us that diptheria is a disease in developing countries especially former Soviet Union countries such as the Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakistan, Moldova, Central South America, Sub Sahara or Africa and South East Asia, so travel to these areas means getting your diptheria vaccination is very necessary.

Polio

Polio - a disease of the nervous system - is contracted by ingesting contaminated water and food or through the air passages of an infected person. The good news about this disease is that many areas of our world are now polio-free. Europe, Argentina to Alaska and the Western Pacific region tend to be free of the disease. However it is worth getting the vaccine if you plan to travel to eastern Mediterranean areas, Africa or south east Asia.

Vaccination

The vaccination for tetanus, polio and diptheria is called Revaxis. If you are travelling this summer and have never been vaccinated against these three diseases, you should contact your GP, Practice Nurse or Travel Clinic for the vaccination. If your last booster of tetanus, polio or diptheria was 10 years ago and you are travelling to high risk areas of the world that have been mentioned, another booster of Revaxis will protect you for a further 10 years. If you ever receive a wound while on holiday, wash it and seek medical advice. Once home from your trip, especially if you feel unwell, with a cough and fever, seek advice immediately from your GP. Finally, if you are travelling abroad this year, seek advice at least four to six weeks prior to travelling as this should give you time to administer any necessary vaccinations including malaria medication.