Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and various parasitic agents.  Viral and bacterial infections can be transmitted, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. When an infection is transmitted from sick animals to humans, we talk about zoonotic diseases.

There are vaccines that protect the traveler and healthcare worker from a variety of viruses and bacteria (e.g. hepatitis A or B, tetanus, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, typhoid, Cholera, Japanese Encephalitis, Yellow Fever, etc.).

Particularly for overseas travelers, endemic parasitic and viral infectious diseases are transmitted by insects or animals, through blood exposure, or through contaminated food or water.   Nevertheless, in biomedical research, exposure to these exotic diseases can occur even in the USA. Workers who have weakened immune systems, such as those who have cancer or HIV/AIDS, are most vulnerable.  There are prophylactic drug regimens that can be effective to prevent illness following exposure to a number of these infectious diseases.

If you have a work-related exposure to an infectious disease, please call  our experts at Occupational Health Consultants at 301-738-6420 as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.  Our providers are travel and infectious diseases experts and are up-to-date with all the latest occupational health regulations on pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.