Your Surgery Name Travel Health Advice Leaflet The Following

your surgery name travel health advice leaflet the following information will help you to stay healthy on your trip. please make sure

Your Surgery Name
Travel Health Advice Leaflet
The following information will help you to stay healthy on your trip.
Please make sure you read it following on from your appointment with
us.
WATER
Diseases can be caught from drinking contaminated water, or swimming
in it.
Unless you know the water supply is safe where you are staying,
ONLY USE (in order of preference)
1. Boiled water
2. Bottled water or canned drinks
3. Water treated by a sterilising agent.
This includes water used to make ice cubes in drinks and water for
cleaning your teeth
SWIMMING
It is safer to swim in water that is well chlorinated. If you are
travelling to Africa, South America or some parts of the Caribbean,
avoid swimming in fresh water lakes and streams. You can catch a
parasitic disease called schistosomiasis from such places. This
disease is also known as Bilharzia. It is also wise never to go
barefoot, but to wear protective footwear when out, even on the beach.
Other diseases can be caught from sand and soil, particularly wet
soil.
FOOD
Contaminated food is the commonest source of many diseases abroad. You
can help prevent it by following these guidelines :
*
ONLY EAT WELL COOKED FRESH FOOD
*
AVOID LEFTOVERS and REHEATED FOODS
*
E
Two phrases to help you remember
COOK IT, PEEL IT, OR LEAVE IT!
WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT!
NSURE MEAT IS THOROUGHLY COOKED
*
EAT COOKED VEGETABLES, AVOID SALADS
*
ONLY EAT FRUIT YOU CAN PEEL
*
NEVER DRINK UNPASTEURISED MILK
*
AVOID ICE-CREAM
*
SHELLFISH IS A HIGH RISK FOOD
*
AVOID BUYING FOOD FROM STREET VENDORS’ STALLS AS A GENERAL RULE
Another source of calories is alcohol! If you drink to excess, alcohol
could lead you to become carefree and ignore these precautions.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
Many diseases are transmitted by what is known as the ‘faecal-oral’
route. To help prevent this, always wash your hands with soap and
clean water after going to the toilet, before eating and before
handling food. Using hand gel is another sensible option.
TRAVELLERS’ DIARRHOEA
This the most common illness that you will be exposed to abroad and
there is NO vaccine against it. Diarrhoea is caused by eating and/or
drinking food and water contaminated by bacteria, viruses or
parasites. Risk of illness is higher in some countries than others.
High risk areas include North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian
Subcontinent, S.E. Asia, South America, Mexico and the Middle East.
Medium risk areas include the northern Mediterranean, Canary Islands
and the Caribbean Islands.
Low risk areas include North America, Western Europe and Australia
You can certainly help prevent travellers’ diarrhoea in the way you
behave - make sure you follow the food, water and personal hygiene
guidelines already given.
What is travellers’ diarrhoea?
Travellers’ diarrhoea is 3 or more loose stools in a 24 hour period
often accompanied by stomach pain, cramps and vomiting. It usually
lasts 2-4 days and whilst it is not a life threatening illness, it can
disrupt your trip for several days. The main danger of the illness is
dehydration, and this, if very severe, can kill if it is not treated.
Treatment is therefore rehydration. In severe cases and particularly
in young children and the elderly, commercially prepared rehydration
solution is extremely useful.
Travel well prepared
A good tip is to take oral rehydration solutions with you. These can
be bought over the counter in a chemist shop, available in tablet or
sachet form — for example:
DIORALYTE or ELECTROLADE or DIORALYTE RELIEF. (The latter is a formula
containing rice powder which also helps to relieve the diarrhoea,
particularly useful in children). Prepare according to instructions.
Take care regarding their use in very small children and seek medical
advice where necessary.
Anti diarrhoeal tablets can be used for adults but should NEVER be
USED in children under 4 years of age, and only on prescription for
children aged 4 to 12 years.
Commonly used tablets are IMODIUM® and LOMOTIL® or NORMALOE®.
None of these tablets should ever be used if the person has a
temperature or blood in the stool.
Do contact medical help if the affected person has:-
*
A temperature
*
Blood in the diarrhoea
*
Diarrhoea for more than 48 hours (or 24 hours in children)
*
Becomes confused
In some circumstances, antibiotics are used as a standby treatment for
travellers’ diarrhoea. Such medication is not usually available on the
NHS in anticipation of you being ill when away and needs to be
prescribed. A woman taking the oral contraceptive pill may not have
full contraceptive protection if she has had diarrhoea and vomiting.
Extra precautions must be used - refer to your ‘pill’ information
leaflet. If using condoms, take a supply of good quality ones with you
which are CE approved.
HEPATITIS B and HIV INFECTION - these diseases can be transmitted by
*
Blood transfusion
*
Medical procedures with non sterile equipment
*
Sharing of needles (e.g. tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture and
drug abuse)
*
Sexual contact — Sexually transmitted infections or STIs are also
transmitted this way
Ways to protect yourself
*
Only accept a blood transfusion when essential
*
If travelling to a resource poor country, take a sterile medical
kit
*
Avoid procedures e.g. ear and body piercing, tattooing &
acupuncture
*
Avoid casual sex, especially without using condoms
Remember! Excessive alcohol can make you carefree and lead you to take
risks you otherwise would not consider.
INSECT BITES
Mosquitoes, certain types of flies, ticks and bugs can cause many
different diseases. e.g. malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever. Some
bite at night, but some during daytime so protection is needed at all
times.
Avoid being bitten by:
*
Covering up skin as much as possible if going out at night,
(mosquitoes that transmit malaria bite from dusk until dawn). Wear
loose fitting clothes, long sleeves, trousers or long skirts.
*
Use insect repellents on exposed skin. (DEET containing products
are the most effective. A content of up to 50% DEET is recommended
for tropical destinations). Clothes can be sprayed with repellents
too or clothing specific sprays .g. permethrin. Check suitability
for children on the individual products. If using sunscreen always
apply first, followed by an insect repellent spray on top.
*
If room is not air conditioned, but is screened, close shutters
early evening and spray room with knockdown insecticide spray. In
malarious regions, if camping, or sleeping in unprotected
accommodation, always sleep under a mosquito net (impregnated with
permethrin). Avoid camping near areas of stagnant water, these are
common breeding areas for mosquitoes etc.
*
Electric insecticide vaporisers are very effective as long as
there are no power failures!
*
There is no scientific evidence that electric buzzers, savoury
yeast extract, tea tree oil, bath oils, garlic and vitamin B are
effective.
*
Homeopathic and herbal medications should NEVER be used as an
alternative to conventional measures for malaria prevention.
MALARIA
Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes, there is no vaccine yet
available. If you are travelling to a malarious country, the travel
adviser will have given you a separate leaflet with more details,
please read it. Remember malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal
disease. If you develop flu like symptoms, including fever, sweats,
chills, feeling unwell, headaches, muscle pains, cough, diarrhoea –
then seek medical help immediately for advice and say you’ve been
abroad. This is VITAL, don’t delay.
Remember the ABCD of malaria prevention advice:
Awareness of the risk
Bite prevention
Chemoprophylaxis (taking the correct tablets)
Diagnosis (knowing the symptoms and acting quickly)
ANIMAL BITES
Rabies is present in many parts of the world. If a person develops
rabies, death is 100% certain.
THERE ARE 3 RULES REGARDING RABIES
1.
Do not touch any animal, even dogs and cats
2.
If you are licked on broken skin, scratched or bitten by an animal
in a country which has rabies, wash the wound thoroughly with soap
and running water for 10 - 15 minutes, then apply an antiseptic
solution if possible e.g. iodine or alcohol. Such precautions also
apply if you are licked by the animal with their saliva coming
into contact with your eyes or inside your mouth (essentially any
mucous membranes)
3.
Seek medical advice IMMEDIATELY, even if you have been previously
immunised, this is absolutely essential
ACCIDENTS
Major leading causes of death in travellers abroad are due to
accidents, predominantly road traffic accidents and swimming/water
accidents. You can help prevent them by following sensible precautions
PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES
*
Avoid alcohol and food before swimming
*
Never dive into water where the depth is uncertain
*
Only swim in safe water, check currents, sharks, jellyfish etc.
*
Avoid alcohol when driving, especially at night
*
Avoid hiring motorcycles and mopeds
*
If hiring a car, rent a large one if possible, ensure the tyres,
brakes and seat belts are in good condition
*
Use reliable taxi firms, know where emergency facilities are
PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provide excellent
information about this. They have information for many different types
of travel and also advise on travel to specific destinations in times
of political unrest and natural disasters. Please go to their website
for more information at
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office
INSURANCE COVER
*
Take out adequate insurance cover for your trip. This should
possibly include medical repatriation as without it, this service
is extremely expensive if needed.
*
If you have any pre existing medical conditions, make sure you
inform the insurance
company of these details and check the small print of the policy
thoroughly.
*
If you travel to a European Union country, make sure you have
obtained an EHIC card before you travel which takes some time to
obtain. Further information about the EHIC is found at
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Applyingandrenewing.aspx
*
Please note, additional travel insurance is still advised even if
you have an EHIC card.
AIR TRAVEL
It is sensible on any long haul flight to be comfortable in your seat.
Exercise your legs, feet and toes while
sitting every half an hour or so and take short walks whenever
feasible. Upper body and breathing
exercises can further improve circulation. Drink plenty of water and
be sensible about alcohol intake
which in excess leads to dehydration. Further information can be
obtained from the websites detailed at
the end of this leaflet with more specific advice and information on
travel-related deep vein thrombosis.
SUN AND HEAT
Sunburn and heat-stroke cause serious problems in travellers but in
the long term can be a serious cause of skin cancer. There is no such
thing as a safe suntan, but the following advice should be taken:
PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES
*
Increase sun exposure gradually, with a 20 minute limit initially.
*
Use sun blocks which contain both UVA and UVB protection and
sufficient sun protection factor (SPF) and a minimum of SPF 15.
Children under 3 years should have a minimum of SPF 25 and babies
under 6 months should be kept out of the sun at all times. Reapply
often and always after swimming and washing. Read manufacturer
instructions
*
Always apply sunscreen first followed by an insect repellent spray
on top
*
Wear protective clothing – sunhats, T shirts and sunglasses etc.
*
Avoid going out between 11am - 3pm, when the sun’s rays are
strongest
*
Take special care of children and those with pale skin/red hair
*
Drink extra fluids in a hot climate
*
Be aware that alcohol can make you dehydrated
For additional information sources, please see details overleaf
Have a good, but safe and healthy trip!
Examples of interesting website addresses:
Name/description
Web address
*
Fit for Travel - Scottish NHS public travel site for general
advice on all aspects of travel and country specific information,
including malaria maps
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
*
NaTHNaC - National Travel Health Network and Centre England based,
with similar information to above
www.nathnac.org
*
NHS Choices – look at travel health in the ‘A-Z’ section and also
travel health in the ‘Live Well’ section (these are both
different). Excellent general website also.
www.nhs.uk
*
FCO - Foreign & Commonwealth Office, especially useful for safety
and security and specific pages for types of travellers, e.g. gap
year, responsible tourism. Also look at ‘Our Publications’
www.gov.uk/government/
organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office
*
Malaria Hotspots – general information for travellers providing
information about malaria including a useful podcast in the
‘malaria travel tips’ section
www.malariahotspots.co.uk
*
Sunsmart - is the Cancer research website providing information
about skin cancer and sun protection advice
www.sunsmart.org.uk
*
Travel health products to take away with you – these are just a
small selection of many resources available. Please note the
Village Medical Centre is not endorsing such items, merely
providing information.
www.lifesystems.co.uk
www.nomadtravel.co.uk
www.safariquip.co.uk
www.travelpharm.com
*
Medex – Useful advice booklet on ‘travelling at high altitude’
www.medex.org.uk
*
Medic Alert® - life-saving identification system for individuals
with hidden medical conditions and allergies
www.medicalert.org.uk
*
Kids Travel Doc™ - a paediatrician’s guide to travel and outdoor
recreational activities
www.kidstraveldoc.com
*
Diabetes UK – information specific for those with diabetes who
wish to travel – go to ‘Guide to diabetes’ then to the ‘living
with diabetes’ section then go to ‘travel’
www.diabetes.org.uk
*
Global travel clinic locator from the International Society of
Travel Medicine
www.istm.org
*
IAMAT – International Association for Medical Assistance to
Travellers (IAMAT)
www.iamat.org/doctors_clinics.cfm
*
Google translate – Free online translation service
http://translate.google.com
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