While our attention is on Swine Flu and rightly so, there are other viruses and diseases that we can contract while traveling to other countries. We usually ignore These diseases when there is a pandemic like swine flu, but we ignore them to our own detriment.

Do not overlook the following viruses and diseases the next time you leave your country.

Japanese encephalitis is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. People who contract the disease may start showing the symptoms in about a week and a half. The usual symptoms are headaches, fever and malaise in the early stages of the disease and convulsions and permanent brain damage if not treated in a timely manner. The disease has a mortality rate of about 57 per cent and the disease is responsible for little over 10,000 deaths per year, however, most people can recover after suffering mild flu symptoms.

Where am I most likely to get it -Asian countries like China and Thailand.

Avoidance - It is generally recommended that you get vaccinated if you are going to stay in Asian countries for a long time especially if you are going to visit rural areas. It can also be avoided by using mosquito nets. Consult your doctor for steps to be taken.

Malaria is transmitted by female mosquitoes infected with the disease. Symptoms can start between a week to a month after you have been bitten by an infected mosquito and ranges from flu like symptoms, fever and chills to coma.

On average there are around 250-480 million new cases of malaria and up to three million fatalities every year.

Where am I most likely to get it - South America, Asia and Africa.

Avoidance - Use mosquito nets and insecticides, wear long sleeve shirts and keep windows locked or use sure in a country in which malaria is prevalent will help reduce the risk of contracting the disease. There are no vaccinations for Malaria. Consult your doctor for steps to be taken.

Rabies is a virus that is transmitted to humans when they are bitten by an infected animal. The animals that are the usual suspects are bats, monkeys, raccoons, cattle, dogs or cats. Generally, the incubation period for the virus ranges from three to 12 weeks where the infected person may have flu like symptoms. After flu like symptoms then there may be cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, abnormal behavior, paranoia, terror, hallucinations, progressing to delirium and in some cases death, which averages over 55,000 per year.

Where am I most likely to get it - Rabies can be found all over the world, however it is mostly contracted in Australia, Japan, UK and New Zealand.

Avoidance - Vaccinations are available. Also, do not handle wild animals and those that seem distressed. Consult your doctor for steps to be taken.

Tuberculosis is highly contagious. It lives in the lungs of an infected person who can infect others when that person coughs, sneezes or talks. The bacteria can lay dormant in the body for years but can resurface if the body's immune system is weak. A person is infected every second and one infected person can infect about 11 - 14 people per year. Tuberculosis is responsible for more than 1.8 million deaths per year.

Where am I most likely to get it - Tuberculosis can be contracted worldwide, however it is more prevalent in Africa, south east Asia and eastern Europe.

Avoidance - Vaccinations are available.

Hepatitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be transmitted to people due to unsanitary conditions. This form of the disease is Hepatitis A and is usually not life threatening. The symptoms are fatigue, fever, nausea, diarrhea and weight loss.

Hepatitis B is transmitted to people through unprotected sex and the use of needles previously used by someone infected with the disease. The disease can also be passed from mothers to their unborn child. The symptoms are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, body aches, mild fever, dark urine and chronic inflammation of the liver.

Hepatitis C can also be transmitted through blood and sexual contact. The symptoms are decreased appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice and flu like symptoms. In the acute stage, it can lead to liver cirrhosis.

Where am I most likely to get it - All around the world

Avoidance - A vaccine is available for hepatitis type A and B. Hepatitis A can also be avoided by practicing good hygiene and eating from persons who practice the same. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, so it is important not to share needles and toothbrushes with infected people. Additionally, persons should practice safe sex.