Some of the most popular travel destinations during summer include cities and regions in Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the South Pacific.  Whether you plan to visit the Taj Mahal in India or check out the Great Wall of China, an important component of your travel planning should be a focus on obtaining preventive treatment for diseases that may be prevalent in the region you plan to travel to.

There are several types of diseases that a person can get infected from when traveling. An airborne disease is one that is caused by pathogens and transmitted through the air.  The pathogens may include viruses, bacteria or fungi and can spread through coughing, sneezing, raising of dust, spraying of liquids and other similar activities. Waterborne diseases include those that are caused by pathogenic microorganisms that are transmitted in contaminated fresh water.  Infection can occur during bathing, washing, drinking, preparing and/or consuming food.

Foodborne disease, commonly referred to as food poisoning, is any illness that results from the consumption of contaminated food, pathogenic bacteria, viruses or parasites that contaminate food and chemical or natural toxins. Vector borne diseases are those that are carried and transmitted from an infectious pathogen (that could be a person, animal or microorganism) to another living organism. Zoonotic disease includes those infectious diseases that are transmitted between species from animals other than humans to humans or from humans to other animals.

Article and inforgraphic courtesy of New York Travel Clinic