VACCINE INFORMATION
Vaccines are currently available for many infectious diseases. The immunity from vaccines is
never immediate nor 100%. It can take a few weeks to develop adequate protection. This may
need several trips to the clinic. You are advised to plan your vaccinations WELL IN ADVANCE.
(Make an appointment 6-8 weeks before your date of travel – Clinic phone no: 01452
522575).
YELLOW FEVER
The clinic is a registered Yellow Fever Centre.
FOOD, DRINK and HYGIENE
Many diseases are caught by consuming contaminated food or drink.
These include Traveller's Diarrhoea, Hepatitis A, Salmonella and
Typhoid. You can avoid catching them by paying strict attention to
food, drink and hygiene.
- Drinking water: boil or sterilise it before use. Use bottled water
and check the seal is intact on purchase. Use for drinking, washing
food and for cleaning your teeth.
Boil it, Cook it, Peel it – or Forget it!
- Avoid both ICE CUBES and ICE CREAM unless you are sure that they are made from clean
water.
- Avoid FOOD WHICH HAS BEEN reheated, kept warm or exposed to flies.
- Avoid uncooked food unless you have prepared it YOURSELF.
- Shellfish is particularly hazardous.
- Remember that salads washed in untreated water will be unclean.
- Avoid un-pasteurised milk or boil it before use.
- Be careful not to ingest sea/swimming pool water.
- Always wash hands before eating.
TRAVELLERS DIARRHOEA (JIPPY TUMMY) DEHYDRATION
Travellers diarrhoea can affect 1 in 2 tourists. Any bowel disturbance should be treated with
liberal quantities of water. Sachets of rehydration salts or dioralyte are available without
prescription and should always be carried when travelling with children. Seek medical advice if
fever, or symptoms persist or blood is passed.
SUNBURN
Do not get burnt. Repeated sunburn can cause various skin diseases,
including cancer. Use an EFFECTIVE SUNSCREEN and apply it OFTEN. Start
with a high factor SPF 30 blocking UVA & B (NB water resistant). Reapply
after swimming. Children need particular care.
REMEMBER:
S L I P on a shirt, S L O P on the sunscreen and S L A P on a hat ! ! !
SOME IDEAS FOR YOUR MEDICAL KIT
Bandages-various sizes - Antiseptic lotion/cream - Plasters - Gauze Pain killers, eg Paracetamol (adult & child) - Antihistamine Travel
sickness tablets, eg stugeron - Insect repellent containing DEET 50%
- Scissors - Tweezers - Water purifying tablets – Dioralyte.
Kits can be obtained from Cheltenham Road Surgery (CRS) Travel
Clinic – Wednesday 6-7 pm (Phone first 01452 522709)
TRAVELLER'S THROMBOSIS
For long journeys, keep moving, keep well hydrated, avoid excessive alcohol, consider
compression stockings.
MALARIA
Malaria is a blood disease, which is caught in the tropics from mosquito
bites. 1500 - 2000 travellers return to the UK every year having caught
malaria overseas and some die. The risk of catching malaria can be
reduced by protecting yourself from the bites of mosquitoes and
by taking anti-malarial drugs. If you get a fever within 3 months
of visiting a malarious area, it is essential that you contact your doctor,
as you may have malaria. Malaria can kill very quickly if not diagnosed
in time. No anti-malarial tablet guarantees 100% protection, so it is
important to avoid being bitten. The following precautions are
important:
1 - Mosquitoes are more active between dusk and dawn, so keep arms and legs covered and
use an insect repellent (containing DEET 50%) and sleep under a mosquito net
(impregnated with insecticide, eg permethrin). Mosquito nets/insect repellents/clothing
treatment/mosquito coils & plug in adaptors can be obtained from CRS Travel clinic on
Wednesdays 6-7pm (Phone first 01452 522709)
2 - Start anti-malarials after food 2 days BEFORE entering a malarious area,(mefloquine 2-3
weeks before) continue DURING THE STAY and for FOUR WEEKS AFTER LEAVING.
(Malarone 7 days after leaving)
3 - PREGNANCY - the risks of malaria are greater (to the mother and unborn child), and not all
antimalarial tablets are safe in pregnancy. If you are pregnant or taking young children, attend
the clinic.
4 - Different anti-malarial drugs are available for use in different circumstances. Make an
appointment at the travel clinic for appropriate advice.
5 - Anti-malarial drugs need a private prescription
HEPATITIS B and AIDS (HIV infection)
Viruses are caught by contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, saliva,
semen etc). These infections can be acquired worldwide. You will put yourself
at risk through unprotected sex and drug abuse. Always use a condom and
never share needles. You may also be at risk from poor standards of health
care. If unsure, take a sterile medical kit with you, obtainable from CRS
Travel Clinic Wednesdays 6-7pm (Phone first 01452 522709)
BE
SENSIBLE
HOLIDAY
THEY
-
PEOPLE
WOULD
DO
NEVER
THINGS
DO
AT
ON
HOME!
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are one of the commonest
infections caught on holiday. Always use a condom. If you think you
may have an STD, advice is available from the GUM Clinic (Hope
House) confidentiality assured and it’s free tel 08454 226470.
XS Alcohol leads to XS Accidents
Beware the 4 S’s – SEX, SUN, SWIMMING, SMASHES !!!!!
The leaflet "HEALTH advice for travellers anywhere in the world" is available from Post Offices.
DON'T
FORGET!
You are entitled to free medical treatment in the European Community if you carry a European
Health Insurance Card (available from the Post Office), which has replaced the form E111.
Make sure you have adequate Travel Insurance, which includes repatriation.
Fit for Travel - Travel info for the general public
June 2012