WITH increasing numbers of travellers going on what
are described as long haul flights to exotic
destinations, more and more people are having to get
anti-malaria treatment.
Here's a couple of commonly-asked questions and some
information you may find useful.
Q: How protective is my malaria medication?
A: The malaria is 100 per cent effective and it is
known that people who get malaria don't comply with
their malaria medication - they either take the wrong
one, take the right one just for a short time, or
start taking it and forget to finish the course.
To comply with your malaria medication you must take
it as it has been prescribed by your doctor.
Malaria medication is taken before you travel to the
malaria risk area, all the time you are in that place
and after you leave. It is important to read your
instructions carefully. Some medication you take a few
days or two to three weeks before travelling and some
you take only for one week after you leave the risk
country/area.
Remember too that some malaria medication is taken
weekly and some taken daily.
So wherever you travel on your holidays or trip
abroad be sure to take the correct malaria medication
for that country - or countries - and take it exactly
as it has been prescribed by your doctor.
Q: What is the best mosquito repellent to use?
A: There are many mosquito repellents available and
you can get these at your local pharmacists.
The important and recommended part of the bite
protection spray, cream or lotion which you should use
is DEET, this is the actual substance which repels the
mosquito.
Look on the packaging of whatever you buy to ensure
DEET is in it.
Apply your repellent only to the exposed skin areas of
your body, face and hands and ankles. Use in the
recommended amounts and be careful that it does not
damage synthetic fabric, plastics and watch straps.
If you are in a malaria risk country and taking
malaria medication you need to remember to use your
insect repellent as well.
To ensure you are not allergic to your repellent try a
little amount on a small area on the back of you hand.
If you should find you are allergic seek further
advice from you chemist for alternative repellents.
Q: If I had an accident abroad and needed a blood
transfusion would the blood be safe and free from
diseases such as HIV?
A: The blood used today for blood transfusions in
Europe, North America, Japan and Australia has been
screened for HIV antibodies.
In many of the world's developing countries there may
be just the most basic blood transfusion service and
much of the blood used is unscreened.
Here are some points to consider that may prevent
accidents: Wear a car seat belt at all times, wear a
helmet when travelling on a scooter/motorbike, never
ever drink and drive, always check local traffic
regulations, when doing hazardous sports always get
proper instruction, always check the depth of water in
the pool before diving and never swim alone.
A UK charitable organisation called the Blood Care
Foundation operates a blood care programme. This
organisation will provide screened blood in an
emergency to its members anywhere in the world when
needed.
It is expensive to join the BCF but worth looking at.
Details are available on-line at www.bloodcare.org.uk.
Q: I've heard that it is not wise to eat shell-fish
while abroad. What advice should I follow?
A: It is said that shell-fish (clams, mussels,
oysters, prawns) swim in untreated sewage in some of
the developing countries where they should most
definitely be avoided.
Here's a reminder of advice for prevention of
travellers diarrhoea.
Eat food freshly cooked and hot right through, avoid
leftovers or reheated food, practice caution with ice
cream and dairy produce, don't eat food sold on
roadside stalls, eat fruit you can personally peel
yourself, eat in busy restaurants and ensure good
personal hygiene.
Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it!