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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!
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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
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, especially when travelling with children.
Seek medical advice if fever, or symptoms persist or blood is passed.
SUNBURN
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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
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Bandages-various sizes - Antiseptic lotion/cream - Plasters - Gauze - Pain
killers, eg Paracetamol (adult & child) - Antihistamine Travel sickness tablets,
eg stugeron - Insect repellent containing DEET - 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
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Malaria is a blood disease, which is caught in the tropics from mosquito bites.
At least 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. No anti-malarial tablet guarantees 100% protection, so it
is important to avoid being bitten. The following precautions
are vital:
1 - Mosquitoes are more active between dusk and
dawn, so keep arms and legs covered and use an insect repellent (containing
DEET) 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,
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)
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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)
B E S E N S I B L E
- P E O P L E D O T H I N G S
O N
H O L I D A Y T H E Y W O U L D
N E V E R D O A T H O M E !
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
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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 Special Clinic, confidentiality assured and it’s free tel 08454
226464.
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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.
D O N ' T F O R G E T !
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
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