In the UK it is estimated that about 3 people in every 1,000 have shingles in  every year. Although shingles can occur at any age it is more common over the age of 50 years. In those aged 80 years and over the incidence of getting shingles increases to about 11 people in 1,000 per year.

Vaccination

Zostavax is a vaccination that can reduce your risk of getting shingles. It is licensed for use in those aged 50 years and over. You can have the vaccine even if you have not had chicken pox.

You should not have the vaccine if:

• you are allergic to any of its ingredients, including gelatin or neomycin.
• you have a weakened immune system or take high doses of steroids.
• if are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• you should not get ZOSTAVAX to prevent chickenpox.
• Tell your nurse if you have had a vaccine against pneumonia in the last 4 weeks. It is best to have these 4 weeks apart.

Further Information

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Shingles/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.zostavax.com/

• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Medical treatment with contaminated equipment
• Activities that pierce the skin such as tattoos, acupuncture or  body piercings.
• Contact sports such as rugby or boxing. This increase risk of contact with bodily fluids from an infected person.
• Occupational exposure- health care workers are particularly at risk.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B(HBV) is a virus that can damage your liver and cause serious health problems.  This potentially fatal virus is spread the same way as HIV but it is 100 times more infectious. 350 million people are believed to be infected worldwide. .[1].   Thankfully, hepatitis b can be prevented through vaccination. If you are travelling to a high risk country you should consider a course of hepatitis b vaccine.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (HCV) is similar to HBV in that it can be fatal and cause liver damage or serious health problems. HVC is found worldwide but is more common in Africa, Asia and South America. 3% of the world population are believed to be infected. .[2].   There is no vaccine to protect against HCV.

HIV

HIV infection occurs anywhere in the world. At the end of 2007 it was estimated that 33.2   million  persons were living with HIV infection  worldwide.[3].   Prevalence is highest in  Africa, South and South East Asia, and   Latin America and the Caribbean. Between 2001 and 2005,  41% of new diagnosis in UK citizens were aquired abroad. Highest risk countries were in Africa and Thailand.

Advice for Travellers

• Practice safe sex – always use a condom and buy an adequate supply for your trip. Make sure condoms carry the
• Avoid tattoos or body piercings in foreign countries
• Carry a sterile medical kit with needles and syringes in if you are travelling to high risk areas
• Have a course of hepatitis b vaccine before your trip
• Consider joining the Blood Care Foundation – they can arrange screened blood worldwide for use in an emergency
• Find out your blood group before travel

To book a hepatitis b vaccine or purchase a sterile medical kit call 01273 749100 or book online

During the time that injectable typhoid vaccine was not available Sussex Travel Clinic offered the oral typhoid vaccine to travellers that needed protection. The clinic now has adequate supplies of both the oral and injectable vaccines. Oral typhoid vaccine is taken in tablet form over a period of five days and is ideal for those that are needle phobic.

To discuss further please call the clinic on 01273 749100 or book an appointment online.

The clinic will be closed on the following days over the Easter period:

Good Friday 6th April – Closed

Saturday 7th April – 10- 1 pm

Easter Sunday 8th April – Closed

Bank Holiday Monday – 9th April – Closed

You can still book an appointment over the break by using our online booking system or call us on our return on Tuesday 10th April on 01273 749100.

Our sister site World Wide Nets is having an Easter sale so if you need to stock up on travel products for your trip abroad now is the time to take advantage of our 10% discount offer. Simply enter the code EASTER12 at the checkout to get your discount.

What is an allergy?

Allergic reactions are caused by allergens. Almost anything can be an allergen for someone. Common allergens include: pollen, house dust mite, food, animals and chemicals. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from a runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rashes to the more severe form of allergy; anaphylaxis. Allergy is very common and it affects approximately one in four of the population in the UK. Each year the numbers are increasing by 5% with as many as half of all those affected being children.

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can affect the whole body, often within minutes of exposure to an allergen but sometimes it can occur after several hours. Anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated quickly.

What causes anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis can be caused by many different things. These include foods such as nuts: peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews, Brazils, sesame, fish, shellfish, dairy products and eggs. Non-food causes include wasp or bee stings, natural latex (rubber), penicillin or any other drugs or injections.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include:  flushing of the skin, hives, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, collapse and unconsciousness.

How is allergy treated?

Most allergic reactions can be treated successfully with antihistamine tablets or cream. If you have had a previous anaphylactic reaction your doctor or specialist will have prescribed you an Epipen which contains Adrenaline (also known as epinephrine). Adrenaline works by constricting blood vessels and relaxing smooth muscles in the lungs to improve breathing. It stimulates the heartbeat and helps to stop swelling around the face and lips. The Anaphylaxis Campaign have produced a video on how to use your Epipen.

Advice for Travellers

If you have a known allergy you should follow these advice tips to make sure you stay safe and healthy on your trip:

• Carry an adequate supply of allergy treatment – antihistamine tablets or cream or inhalers.
• If you have been prescribed an Epipen make sure you have an adequate supply for your trip. Make sure they are in date and carry a copy of your original prescription and a doctors letter stating your allergy and treatment plan. Always carry your Epipen in your hand luggage.
• Wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace  that is engraved with the wearer’s main medical condition(s) or allergies, It has a  24 hour emergency telephone number which accepts reverse charge calls that allows emergency and medical professionals to access their details from anywhere in the world in over 100 languages. Membership to the MedicAlert  service costs £25 per year and emblems cost from £19.95. To join call 0800 581 420.
• Carry a translation card stating your allergy. This is particularly useful for food allergies. Many countries use nut oils to in cooking and communicating your allergies can often be difficult. Allergy UK produces translation cards in 27 languages. A set of three cards costs £15. To order phone Allergy UK on 01322 619898.
• If you are travelling by plane contact your airline before travel to read their allergy policy. Many airlines still serve snacks such as nuts so it is worth checking this information before you book. Always carry your Epipen on the plane with you and inform cabin crew that you have an allergy to minimise exposure to allergen during your flight.
• Make sure you have adequate travel insurance and disclose your allergy and any other medical conditions to your insurers when you take out your policy.

Further information can be found on the following websites:

http://www.allergyuk.org

http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk

http://www.medicalert.org.uk

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella Pertussis. Transmission is through the respiratory route and symptoms include: severe coughing spells, breathing difficulties, vomiting and sleep disturbance.

Sussex Travel Clinic has been having some enquiries from concerned travellers who are concerned either because of risk of contracting pertussis themselves or because, if infected, they may put young children at risk. (e.g. grandparents visiting new grandchildren who are not  yet vaccinated)

In the UK children under the age of 10 are routinely immunised against pertussis. Adults and those over the age of 10 are not routinely offered boosters, although some countries, Australia included, do offer a booster dose to adolescence as part of their immunisation programme.

Immunity following infection or vaccination against pertussis wanes over time and there is no test to check immunity.

Advice for Travellers

•  Evidence of immunisation against pertussis is not an entry requirement forAustralia
• If you are travelling with children make sure that they are up to date with all of their routineUKimmunisations.
• If you are going to do medical work inAustraliayou may be required to produce evidence of pertussis immunisation- speak to your employer before you travel.
• If you are likely to have close contact with children less than 12 months of age and you are not immune practice routine respiratory precautions such as good hand hygiene and avoiding persons known to be infected.
• Adult boosters of pertussis vaccine are not recommended for theUK. [2]. If you are planning a long stay trip to risk areas you should consider receiving a pertussis-containing vaccine formulated for adults and adolescents at your destination.

To discuss this further please call our nurses on 01273 749100.

References

1. http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/pertussis_au_130112.htm
2. http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/australasia–pacific/australia.aspx

Here are the results.

Over a 2 week  period 68% of all clients seen  completed a survey form.

100% of our clients would recommend our service to a friend.

87% rated the expertise of our staff as excellent.

86% rated the overall service as excellent.

 What can we do to improve our service?

 1 client said they found it difficult to get through on the telephone.

 Our response.

Our phones lines are answered during the following times:  Monday to Friday 9 am till 5 pm and till 7 pm on a Monday and Thursday, 10 – 1 pm on a Saturday. Unfortunately, during our busy periods it may be difficult to get through. To address this Sussex Travel Clinic now offers an online booking service and hopes that this will reduce the amount of call volume through the clinic.

 Comments

 ‘ Very efficient staff, no complaints’

 ‘ Very kind and helpful staff’

 ‘ Very polite and helpful staff’

 ‘ Your service has been extremely useful and supportive re: my travel plans and queries. I cannot think of any improvements’

The FCO Locate service is for British nationals only. If you are planning on travelling abroad, even for a short trip, register your details so that in the event of an emergency such as a terrorist attack or tsunami, British embassy staff will be better equipped to offer you assistance.

Benefits of registering with LOCATE?

• in the event of  a major catastrophe the FCO will have an instant record of your details. They will be able to make contact and offer assistance.
• if  your family and friends need to get in touch with you , FCO can help them to find you.
• the simple registration process means it only takes a few minutes to register your travel or residence information  and the local British Embassy will know you are coming. You do not need to contact embassies directly.
• you only need to register once. Any future trips can then be updated by logging in to your account. You can register planned trips up to a year ahead of travel.
• LOCATE improves the FCO’s ability to provide help in an emergency and reduce delay and worry in times of stress for family and friends at home.

Before you travel.

When planning a trip abroad it is important to plan so that you have a safe and healthy trip. Things to consider include:

• Make sure you have had any necessary vaccinations.
• Make sure you have malaria tablets if they are required for your trip.
• Don’t travel without insurance and make sure it covers you for all activites you wish to do on your trip.
• Get any VISA’s that may be requied for the countries you plan to visit.
• Check that you passport is in date. Some countires require that your passport is valid for six months after the date of travel.
• Make a note or a secure online copy of your passport number and any other important documents.
• Driving abroad- make sure you take your driving license and make yourself aware of any driving laws in the country you are visiting.

To book travel vaccinations or discuss malaria requirements call 01273 749100 or book online.

Advice for Travellers

• Drink bottled water. Beware of fake bottled water- in many countries seals have been tampered with and the bottle actually contains unsafe tap water.
• Avoid ice in your drinks, unless you are sure it has come from a safe supply of water.
• Don’t clean your teeth with tap water- use bottled or boiled water.
• Boiled water is safe to drink- bringing water to the boil and boiling for 1 minute is enough to purify it.
• Use chlorine tablets or a water filter if you haven’t got access to clean drinking water.
• Avoid salads that may have been washed in unsafe water.
• Avoid raw fruit and vegetables- these are ok if you can peel them.
• Avoid buffet food that may have been left out for a number of hours or been exposed to flies.
• Avoid unpasteurised dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
• Always wash your hands well before you eat and if you don’t have access to washing facilities carry an alcohol hand gel.
• Avoid street food, unless it is cooked freshly in front of you.
• Don’t assume food served in a 5* hotel will be safe- staff may not have practiced strict food. Water and personal hygiene.

Prevention

Bimuno is a pre- biotic powder or pastille that can keep your tummy healthy on a trip abroad. Clinical studies have shown it to be effective in reducing your risk of TD. It works by sustaining a healthy level of good bacteria in the gut, helping to prevent bad bacteria from becoming established.

Ask your nurse about water purification products – Bimuno, Chlorine Tablets and Water Filters or purchase online in our shop.

Insect Bite Avoidance

•  To avoid bites wear clothing that covers as much of the body as possible.
•  Wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers when going out at night.
•  Protect feet with appropriate footwear.
•  Use insect repellents on exposed skin.
•  Insect repellents are available in various forms and concentrations.
•  Many skin preparations are available, mostly containing di- ethyltoluamide  (DEET)
• For those allergic to DEET, alternatives include Lifesystems Natural repellent.
• Use a mosquito net when sleeping in unscreened accommodation. Mosquito nets should be impregnated with a long lasting insecticide. It can be helpful to practice erecting nets before departure.
• Use air conditioning in your hotel room, if available.
• If possible, avoid going out between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes spreading malaria commonly bite.
• Use anti-mosquito insecticide dispensers (mains or battery operated that contain tablets impregnated with pyrethroids or burn pyrethroid mosquito coils in bedrooms at night) Electronic buzzer’s do not work.

MALARIA – REMEMBER MALARIA CAN BE A FATAL ILLNESS

It is essential to complete your course of malaria tablets to get full protection. Keep taking them when you get home as prescribed.

Initial symptoms of malaria can often be mild, difficult to recognise and can be confused with flu. If you develop flu-like symptoms once you return home, seek medical advice immediately and tell them you have recently returned from a malaria- risk zone. This will enable a speedy diagnosis and could potentially save your life.

We stock a full range of mosquito nets, insect repellents and other travel related equipment – ask your nurse for more details.