Travel Health

Whether you plan a last minute holiday or have one planned two years ahead, it is worth considering vaccinations and/or malaria tablets that may be recommended for your destination.

Most vaccines take 3 - 4 weeks to become effective so we ask you to book in for travel advice and vaccinations 6 - 8 weeks before departure.

Don't forget that if you are travelling to the southern hemisphere, maybe for the World Cup in South Africa, their flu season is due to start and you will need a swine flu jab. The jab will protect you from the virus and from bringing it back to the UK.

Help us to help you
It helps our practice nurses prepare advice for you if you can let us know, in advance of your travel appointment, of the destination/s, dates for your trip, length of stay, type of accommodation and any adventurous activities that you may be considering, such as, skiing, diving, jungle trekking, backpacking, mountain climbing or animal care. We can then work out what vaccines are required and print out some useful up-to-date information for you on the destination. Which vaccines can we provide?

We have the following vaccines available most of the time:

• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio combined that lasts 10 years.
  Tetanus is considered to be a complete course in the UK when a person has received 5 doses. However if the destination advises that the traveller should be in date for tetanus, then another can be given.
• Hepatitis A
  his is a course of 2 injections initially 6 -12 months apart, the second of which then lasts 10 years. Boosters are then at 10 yearly intervals.
• Typhoid.
  This is just one injection lasting 3 years.
• Rabies is not commonly given, but necessary for animal handlers or anyone travelling to remote areas, more than a day away from medical facilities. Three injections on days 0, 7 and 28.
• Hepatitis B.
  This is a course of 3 or 4 injections depending on you chosen schedule. The course is at 0, 1 and 6 months or 0, 1, 2 and 12 months. Hepatitis B is advised if you are handling blood or body fluids, at risk of disease through sexual intercourse or at risk of accident in a country with poor medical facilities.
• Meningitis ACWY.
  This is one injection lasting 5 years.

One vaccination commonly given for South and Central America, parts of Africa and the Caribbean called Yellow Fever, is not available here at Cropredy Surgery because we are not a designated yellow fever centre. Therefore we ask you to go to West Bar surgery in Banbury for that; the appointments are only on a Friday afternoon.

TEN TIPS FOR HEALTHY TRAVEL

• Seek consultation with a travel medicine specialist at least four weeks before travel
• Ask about special vaccines that are recommended for specific destinations
• First aid and medical kit containing regular and special medication for the trip - carry in hand luggage
• Evacuation and travel insurance to cover health emergencies while abroad

DURING THE TRIP

• Take precautions against malaria when you visit areas at risk. Prevent mosquito bites and take malaria pills as advised
• Road safety is important - wear safety belts in cars and helmets on bikes and avoid night time driving
• Abstain from casual sex or practise safe sex with condoms to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Verify and consume safe water and food. Have a supply of medicine for self treatment of diarrhoea
• Excessive sun exposure should be minimised by the use of sunscreen. Sun can be more intensive over water, snow and at altitude
• Leave animals alone. Animal bites or scratches can transmit rabies. Seek help if bitten

If fever develops during or after a trip, seek competent medical help immediately.

 More information
If you would like to read more about travel health, try the following websites:

www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
www.nathnac.org
www.masta.org
www.travelhealth.co.uk 

www.istm.org/