Hepatitis A is not a disease confined to poor areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that most cases of hepatitis A occur among travellers who have stayed in resorts and high-quality hotels. Hepatitis B vaccine, which protects against a type of hepatitis commonly contracted through exposure to the body fluids of an infected person, is usually given with hepatitis A vaccine in Twinrix® (Pick up Twinrix® at your London Drugs pharmacy for your doctor or a travel clinic health professional to inject.)

Yellow fever, typhoid and other life-threatening diseases are also prevented by vaccination. The Public Health Agency of Canada schedules a number of travel clinics countrywide, where you can be immunized and learn more about the risks in specific areas of the world. This agency provides a list of clinics and their telephone numbers, as well as updated travel advisories through their website, http://www.travelhealth.gc.ca.

Health Canada suggests that Canadians travelling internationally contact their doctor or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before travelling (regardless of where they are going), to have their risk of contracting a variety of diseases assessed. Based on your current health, your travel itinerary and your previous immunization history, a health professional will determine what immunizations and/or preventive medication you may need, as well as advise you on how you can best avoid disease risks.