The A to Z Of Healthy Travel
Make Sure Your Travel Dream Does Not Turn Into A Travel
Nightmare!
A
Accidents cause more deaths in travellers than
infectious diseases. Be vigilant especially if
travelling with children. Quality medical care may be
difficult to obtain in developing countries so small
injuries may turn into serious medical problems. Travel
during the day is safer, and avoid motorbikes in
developing countries.
B
Blisters can be a disaster if trekking. Wear in your
shoes before you go; dry socks are a necessity not a
luxury; tape areas at the slightest sign of irritation
with Bandaid blister block.
C
Colds and flu can be avoided by frequent careful hand
washing; don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth unless
your hands are clean; and if possible avoid close
prolonged exposure to persons who have colds.
D
Dengue fever is like the worst attack of the flu with
tiredness, rash and headache thrown in for good measure.
Dengue is caught in the tropics from day biting
mosquitoes. There is no vaccine, so you need to avoid
mosquitoes.
For E to Z of Healthy Travel click here >>>
The Pill &
Timezones
Not sure what time to take your contraceptive pill
while overseas and in a different time zone?
Check with our pill time
calculator.
The contraceptive pill is best taken every 24 hours,
so crossing time zones can pose a challenge. Spotting,
irregular periods, or even pregnancy may occur if you
delay or miss your contraceptive pill.
Using our time zone calculator will give you
information about what time your 'usual pill time' will
be in the destination country. If the time that it gives
to you is VERY inconvenient e.g. 2am you may need to
shift the time you take your pill a little each day.
Shifting the time by 2-4 hours per day can bring the
pill to a better time.
Changes For Entry Into Saudi Arabia
For Hajj Season In December
There are changes to conditions of entry into
Saudi Arabia for the upcoming Hajj season. Some
changes include: Meningoccocal immunisation - all
travellers must provide evidence of current
immunisation against the ACYW strains of Meningoccal
disease. In addition, children under 15 years
travelling into Saudi from a polio affected nation,
must show proof of vaccination.
... from The Travel Doctor Gold
Coast, Dr Norman Hohl
Leptospirosis Cases
Spreading In Nicaragua
Leptospirosis, an infectious disease which can be
fatal if left untreated, is spreading on the western
coast of Nicaragua. Hundreds of cases have been
diagnosed and symptoms include, pain and swelling around
the eyes, severe muscle aches and fever, headaches,
chills and stomach upsets.
Anyone travelling who anticipate they will spend much
time outdoors (especially relief workers and adventure
travellers) should be aware of this risk from
contaminated ground water. They can take doxycycline
antibiotics to help prevent contracting the disease, or
as soon as symptoms commence.
... from The Travel Doctor Gold
Coast, Dr Norman Hohl
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The Travel Medicine Alliance