Ensure seeing the nurse at the travel clinic well in advance of your departure to have vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis in good time.

It is a potentially fatal disease caused by a blood-borne parasite transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes. The mosquito becomes infected by biting an infected person and then spreads it by biting other people. Symptoms may occur from 7 to 30 days after infection but it can occur up to many months later. The symptoms include a high fever, tiredness, sweats, chills and shivering, muscle aching, delirium and sometimes confusion, vomiting and diarrhoea. Please see your doctor if you have a feverish illness after your holiday especially after visiting a malaria-infected area. Please remember that anti-malaria medication for prevention is not 100% effective.

Diagnosis is by a blood test and it is curable with drug treatment.

To prevent malaria

• Take the recommended anti-malaria tablets as advised from the nurse/doctor and adhere to instructions on when to start the medication and how long to continue it for after your return from holiday.
• Apply mosquito/insect repellent on exposed skin.
• Wear long sleeved clothing especially from dusk to dawn.
• Sleep under mosquito netting.

It is more common on long haul flights. A clot forms in your major deep veins and when it breaks off, it can travel to lodge in your lungs which can cause serious, and sometimes life-threatening, respiratory and circulatory collapse and heart problems.

To Prevent DVT:

• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid (or a minimum of) alcohol during the flight
• Take one adult aspirin 300mg after food about two hours before flying
• Stop smoking
• Wriggle your feet and legs regularly when you are seated. Also get up and walk around the plane regularly to encourage circulation in your legs

Both can be contracted from unhygienic food and contaminated water. The latter includes water sports.

If the local water supplies are suspect avoid drinking it, washing hands or teeth, washing fruit or salads or making ice-cubes. Use only boiled water or bottled water.

Avoid Eating:

• Unpeeled fruit
• Home made ice cream
• Food from street vendors
• Unpasteurised dairy prducts

Click on this like to find out about our Hepatitis B Vaccination Policy.

Hepatitis B and HIV infection can be transmitted sexually and is a global disease. Casual sex is very risky and using a condom may save your life. Always use one.

Minimize your risk of injury by:

• Avoiding too much alcohol
• Avoiding risky sports, unfamiliar to you and without adequate training and expert supervision.
• Only use recommended/licensed operators of outdoor pursuits eg. Scuba-diving, para-gliding, jet-skiing, white-water rafting, etc.
• Wear protective gear ie. Life-jackets, helmets, etc.

Always use the appropriate strength sunblock for your skin. This is especially important for children and those with fair skin. Use a wide-brimmed hat and appropriate long-sleeved clothing for protection.

Avoid the sun when it is at its most intense 11:00-15:00 hours.

Always take out adequate travel insurance.

When in Europe, please get a form E111 from the post-office to enable you to receive treatment in EU countries.

Ensure you have adequate supply of medications you take regularly from your doctor.

Consider taking a simple first-aid kit and a sterile giving set for intravenous fluids or blood transfusion if travelling to high risk areas.