Did anyone see Mary and Martha last week?

Love Actually writer, Richard Curtis, wrote this moving and very tragic story for Comic Relief 2013 about two mothers who lose their sons to malaria. It certainly has got us all talking in travel clinic.

The films story tells the tale of two mothers who meet in Zimbabwe following the deaths of their sons from malaria.  Martha, played by Brenda Blethyn, loses her son Ben after he gives away his ­malaria tablets and she and  Mary, played by ­Hollywood actress Hilary Swank, form an unlikely friendship and team up to campaign for malaria prevention.

Richard Curtis was inspired to write the story after hearing about Jo Yirrell, whose son Harry worked in Ghana in 2005. Jo lost her son Harry to malaria after he gave away his malaria tablets to the locals in Ghana. Harry had an amazing adventure in Ghana, he helped build a school, met a local girl and fell in love. He saw the local community suffering from malaria and in a selfless act he gave away his malaria tablets. On his return home to the UK, Harry became sick with symptoms of malaria and was admitted to hospital and sadly passed away.

Before Harry died, Jo had little knowledge about malaria. However, since Harry’s death in 2005 she has campaigned and raised awareness of malaria through her role as an Ambassador for the UK based charity – Malaria No More. Jo also speaks at Travel Medicine study days in the UK educating health care professionals by sharing her experience. I have had the pleasure of meeting this inspirational woman who has dedicated her life to campaigning to try and prevent unnecessary deaths from malaria. I am sure Jo has saved many lives and Harry would be extremely proud of all his mum has achieved.

Malaria Facts

• Worldwide there are 219 million cases of malaria every year.
• Sleeping under a mosquito net saves lives – nets cut malaria cases in children by half and reduce child deaths by 20%
• A child dies from malaria every minute.
• Every year, over 660,000 people die from malaria, over 90% of these deaths are in Africa.

Source – http://malarianomore.org.uk/malaria#quick-facts

How can you help?

• Make a donation by visiting http://malarianomore.org.uk
• Donate a mosquito net – leave your mosquito net behind when you return to the UK. You don’t need a mosquito net here and by leaving it for locals in areas where malaria is present you will be helping to save lives.

If you need to discuss malaria recommendations for the countries you are travelling to , pick up malaria tablets or buy a net – Call the clinic on 01273 749100.

 

 

 

 

 

With such a wide range of mosquito nets available it is often hard to know which net to choose. It really does depend on what type of trip  you need the net for. If you are backpacking and space is limited the Ultra net may be the most suitable as this net comes in a very compact bag. If you are camping then the Care Plus Pop Up Dome net or the Lifesystems Geo Net would be ideal. Here we look at the different nets available.

If you are travelling to an area where malaria is present we recommend you purchase a net with long lasting impregnation (LLI) in. These nets are impregnated with chemicals that last for up to 2 years and a mosquito will die on contact if it lands on the net. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend these if you are visiting a malaria risk area.

1. The Lifesystems Ultra Net £19.99

Advantages – the lightweight, compact design means it will fit snuggle in your backpack without taking up too much room. Weighs only 200 g. Has LLI.

 

 

 

 

 

2. The Careplus Pop Up Dome Mosquito Net – £27.99

Advantages – Self supporting net, no hanging kit required. Compact and lightweight for travel- 400 g. Has LLI. Ideal for camping or for those staying in different places night after night as it does not need to be hung up. Watch the video….

 

 

3. Mosinet Double Mosquito Net -£47.99

Advantages – another self supporting net that has LLI. Repels and kills insects on contact.

 

 

 

 

 

4. The Care Plus Combi Box Mosquito Net – £37.99

Advantages – very versatile net that can be hung in four different ways. Ideal for use anywhere. Double net with LLI. Watch the video…

 

 

5. The Lifesystems Geo Net – £49.99

Advantages – a self supporting freestanding net that can be used if you are sleeping outdoors. Requires no hanging kit and has LLI.

 

 

 

 

 

All of these nets are available to buy in clinic or online via our sister site –FREE UK DELIVERY

 

Sussex Travel Clinic stocks a wide range of mosquito nets and insect repellents. If you are travelling to an area where malaria is present you should sleep under an impregnated mosquito net. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that your net should be impregnated with long lasting impregnation. These nets protect you from mosquito bites by killing the mosquito on contact and the impregnation lasts for 2 years or over, making them ideal for long trips.

We stock a wide range of nets to suit all needs. If you are planning a camping trip then the pop up dome mosquito net would be ideal. The net simply pops up and down and is lightweight and easily transported if you are travelling around. Our best selling mosquito net for backpackers is the Lifesystems Ultra Net- this compact net is lightweight and includes a hanging kit.

Our range of insect repellents include everything from DEET 50+ and DEET 100+, to natural repellents such as Alfresco. If you are travelling to an area where malaria is present it is recommended that you use an insect repellent with DEET in it. The higher the concentrate of DEET, the longer the repellent will last on your skin.

Tips to avoid insect bites

• Sleep under an impregnated mosquito net
• Wear insect repellent on any exposed skin
• Wear loose fitting and long clothing
• If you have air conditioning – switch it on- mosquitoes do not like the cold air
• Use a clothing treatment spray for extra protection
• Use a plug- in mosquito repellent in your room

To purchase a mosquito net or insect repellent simply pop into clinic during our opening hours or buy ONLINE

 

 

If you are planning a trip abroad it is a good idea to register with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) LOCATE service. Registraion is simple and free. Your details will be saved so that you can simply log in and change your details for future trips.

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.

Mosquitoes are the vector of malaria which is spread at night. They also spread other diseases such as; Dengue fever, Yellow fever, Japanese B encephalitis, St Louis encephalitis and Bancrofti and Filariasis. Some of these diseases are spread by daytime biting mosquitos. The best advice is to avoid mosquito bites.

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.

In our third question and answer post we look at a common question we get asked when travelling to the Gambia.

Q: Do I need to take malaria tablets for a holiday to The Gambia?                             

 A. Yes malaria tablets would be recommended for a trip to The Gambia. Between October and December 2011 18 cases of malaria were imported into the UK and found to be associated with travel to The Gambia. 7 of these cases were in holidaymakers. Malaria is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and can be fatal. The preventative steps to be taken to avoid mosquito bites include using a Deet based insect repellent, sleeping under a mosquito net and covering up as much skin as possible with loose clothing.  Appropriate anti -malarial medicines can be obtained by consulting with your travel health nurse . You need to take these before, during and after travel. Your nurse will advise which tablets will be most suitable and explain any potential side effects. It is important to know that malaria is not entirely preventable so all travellers should seek immediate health advice if they become unwell following a holiday to a malaria risk area. Symptoms of malaria can be any of the following; diarrhoea, flu like symptoms headache and fever.

You should also ensure you have had all of the recommended vaccinations for travel to The Gambia.

To book an appointment at Sussex Travel Clinic call 01273 749100 or book ONLINE

Follow our top 10 Tips to ensure you have a safe and healthy trip abroad.

Before your Trip

• You should consult with your travel clinic at least one month before your departure to ensure you get the necessary vaccinations, travel health advice and malaria tablets. Some vaccinations such as rabies and hepatitis b, require more than one dose, so make sure you book well in advance so that you can complete the course.
• Get all your documents in order- passports, visas etc and make copies of these and store them electronically in case they get lost or stolen on your trip.
• If you take regular medication see your doctor to make sure you will have adequate supplies for the length of your trip. Remember to carry all medication in your hand luggage.
• Take out comprehensive travel insurance and check it covers you for all the activites you plan to do.

During Trip

• Take precautions against malaria when you visit risk areas. Make sure you have malaria tablets, a mosquito net to sleep under and plenty of insect repellent to protect you from mosquito bites. Remember malaria can be fatal so if you feel unwell with fever or flu like symptoms seek urgent medical advice.
• Road safety – many accidents occur when abroad. Always wear seat belts when travelling in cars or coaches and always wear a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle.
• Avoid casual sex or practice safe sex to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Take an adequate supply of condoms for your trip.
• Eat and drink sensibly- avoid drinking the water abroad, drink only boiled or bottled water to avoid traveller’s diarrhoea. Take diarrhoea treatment or Bimuno which helps prevents traveller’s diarrhoea with you.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure and use a high factor sunscreen. The sun can be very hot abroad and over exposure of the sun can lead to skin cancer.
• Avoid touching animals when abroad. In many countries rabies is high risk so if you get bitten or scratched by any animals seek immediate medical attention.

Remember if you feel unwell during or after your trip seek urgent medical help.

Have a safe trip!

To book an appointment for travel vaccinations or malaria tablets call us on 01273 749100 or use our online booking system