Are you part of a charity or are you a volunteer?
Are you going abroad on a trip?
Do you want to have a chance of winning £100 worth of travel products?
Here at the Sussex Travel Clinic we are offering the opportunity to enter our free monthly prize draw, where you get the chance of winning £100 worth of travel products.
Entering this prize draw is simple. All you have to do is have the vaccines for your trip with us, fill in one of our slips, and pop it in the box.
Do you find yourself saying ‘I never win anything’ or ‘Why do I need £100 worth of travel products anyway?’ Never say never. You may need something you didn’t realise or even something that you don’t necessarily have to take abroad. What about something that you could use at home like a tick out remover for the dog or Bimuno for daily use to help with your digestive system?
If you already have all your products for your trip, what about buying something useful to donate to your charity. Such as mosquito nets.
Reference:www.netsforlifeafrica.org
We have a range of stock consisting of mosquito nets and repellents, water purification tablets, Bimuno, travel towels, first aid kits and much more.
![mosquito-net-single-pop-up-dome-lli-freestanding--180-p[ekm]190x148[ekm]](http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mosquito-net-single-pop-up-dome-lli-freestanding-180-pekm190x148ekm.jpg)
![aquapure-traveller-water-purification-bottle-359-p[ekm]350x522[ekm]](http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/aquapure-traveller-water-purification-bottle-359-pekm350x522ekm.jpg)
The winner will be picked at random on the last working day of the month and will be contacted on that day or the following day.
Not sure what you would pick or what you may need? There is always a member of staff on hand to help make the selection if required.
The prize draw is available in both of our clinics in Worthing, West Sussex and Hove, East Sussex.
So do you want to have a chance of winning £100 worth of travel products? Enter our prize draw today!!
I personally think that mosquitoes are one of the most deadly killers on this planet! You may want to argue that fact with me if you’re faced with a tiger in the jungle though!
They are responsible for infecting humans with a multitude of nasty diseases, such as:
Malaria – Africa, South and Central America, Asia and the Middle East – bite in hours of darkness dusk to dawn
Yellow Fever – tropical areas of Africa, South America, Eastern Panama and Trinidad – bite daylight hours dawn to dusk
Japanese Encephalitis – South East and East Asia and the Pacific – bite in hours- of darkness dusk to dawn
Dengue Fever – Caribbean, South and Central America, Mexico, Africa, the Pacific Islands, SE Asia, Indian sub-continent, Hawaii,and Australia – bite in daylight hours dawn to dusk
Chikungunya – Africa, South-East Asia, the Indian sub-continent and the Philippines. Occasionally, the virus can be found in other countries where the mosquito that spreads Chikungunya can also be found – bite in daylight hours dawn to dusk
There are some other rather exotic sounding diseases that mosquitos can transmit; Zika virus, Rift Valley fever, Ross River fever, Filariasis and West Nile fever to mention but a few.
Tiny little blood suckers. Sometimes they can be difficult to spot, they can be as small as a poppy seed! After having a feed, adult ticks can swell up to the size of a small pea and become much lighter in colour.
They can infect you with Tick Bourne Encephalitis, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, Lyme disease and Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.
Ticks can’t jump or fly they normally hitch a lift and become attached to skin or clothing after brushing against bracken or long grass, they then wander off to warm moist areas of the body such as groins or armpits to have a meal.
Try to wear long trousers and tuck them into your socks, not an attractive look I know, but vital. Don’t forget to consider using insecticide spray to treat your clothes. Wear a hat in forested areas they can drop from trees.
Check your body regularly for ticks, have a ‘tick buddy’ who can check difficult to reach areas!
Carry a tick remover or fine tipped tweezers so that ticks can be safely and easily removed. You should always try to remove ticks as soon as possible. Get the tick remover or tweezers as close to the skin as possible, then slowly and firmly pull upwards until the tick releases your skin. Don’t twist or jerk the tick, this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin, which can lead to infection if left. If this happens, try to remove the mouth-parts with tweezers.
DON’T – crush or squeeze the tick’s body or hit with books or try to burn or freeze it, or use petroleum jelly or liquid solutions to suffocate the tick as this may shock the tick and prompt it to regurgitate saliva into the bite wound and spread infection.
After removing the tick, it’s a very good idea to wash your hands and the affected area with soap and water, then treat the bite area with an antiseptic.
Well, you’ve got Trypanosomiasis (African and American), Leishmaniasis, Onchocerciasis and Bartonellosis to worry about!
Only a few of these diseases can be prevented by medication or vaccination so really the only way of protecting yourself is by keeping your insect bites to a minimum.
Find out more about these diseases on Fit for Travel
Clothes are your best protection – normally only use repellents on remaining exposed areas of skin.Wear loose fitting, light coloured clothing. Mosquitos can bite through tight clothing. You can also treat clothes with permethrin spray (an insecticide that kills insects on contact) this should only be used on clothing NOT skin.
Insect repellent – DEET has been proven to be the most effective preparation in preventing mosquito bites, it is the repellent of choice in areas with diseases such chikungunya and dengue.
DEET has been used as an insect repellent for around 50 years and it is available in different concentrations.
50% concentration is recommended.
DEET can be used for children over the age of 2 months. For children, use clothing as the main barrier and repellent on any remaining exposed areas of skin.
If you are taking a baby under two months travelling to countries with risks of the above diseases get expert advice about suitable repellents.
It can be used in pregnancy and breast feeding women.
If you are using sunscreen, it is advised that repellent must be applied after sunscreen.
Remember to remove repellent with soap and water when it is no longer needed.
Do not spray directly onto faces, spray on hands first and then apply to face. Wash hands after applying to prevent contact with lips and eyes.
Never use on cuts, abrasions or irritated skin.
Always follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Alternative recommended insect repellents are those containing Picaridin 20% or Saltidin 12.5% and these can be used for children aged two years and older (NATHNAC)
Oil of lemon eucalyptus-based repellent is also available however this repellent only lasts as long as 15% DEET and so needs applying more frequently. Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is a different product and is not recommended as an insect repellent. (NATHNAC)
It is best to avoid sunscreen that is combined with repellent.
If you think that you or your children are reacting to an insect repellent, stop using it, wash treated skin and then seek advice from a doctor.
In your room or tent – Consider using plug-in or battery operated vaporisers that release an insecticide mist in your room.
Try to stay in accommodation that is air-conditioned, this usually reduces the number of insects in your room.
If you are visiting high risk malaria areas you should sleep under a mosquito net that has been treated with insecticide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends this type of net. The insecticide used in these nets mean that a mosquito will be killed on contact if it lands on the net.
Don’t forget the daytime biters! Those that sleep during the day, particularly young children, or sick or older people, should also sleep under a net. Cot nets are available.
Check your net for holes before you use it. If you find a hole then this can be easily mended by either using a mosquito net repair kit or simply by using a needle and thread. Tape is useful to repair large tears.
Make sure you tuck your net under mattresses or ground sheets to stop the insects getting in to share your bed with you. So do ensure that you buy a big enough net. It would be sensible to buy an impregnated net in the UK and take it with you rather than relying upon what’s there, the nets at your holiday destination may not be of good quality, or treated with insecticide or they might even be invisible!
Check your window and door screens or shutters to make sure that there are no holes in them, holes will allow insects entry into your sleeping area. Remember to shut all screens and shutters before dusk and until dawn to avoid insect entry into rooms.
Also useful to prevent any unwanted guests making an appearance in the night, after all you don’t want to wake up to any surprises do you? Mosquito repellent coils can reduce insect bites by repelling and killing mosquitos, so they may be useful for some travellers, but they should only be used outdoors, not in your room.
There is no proof (scientific or otherwise) that bath oils, electronic “buzzers”, essential oils, garlic, homeopathic remedies, odour baited mosquito traps, tea tree oil, skin moisturisers, smoking, vitamin B tablets or yeast extract (Marmite®), prevent insect bites.
Citronella based repellents are not recommended, as they do not protect you for very long. (NATHNAC)
Have a great trip and don’t forget…night, night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!
References
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/insect-bite-avoidance.aspx
http://www.nathnac.org/travel/misc/travellers_mos.htm
http://www.who.int/whr/1996/media_centre/executive_summary1/en/index9.html
https://www.lifesystems.co.uk/
http://www.careplus.eu/en/
They bite during daylight hours, breed in stagnant water and find us tasty.
These mosquitoes can be recognised by the white stripes around their legs, you’d have to catch one though to check!
They can also spread dengue and west Nile fever.
The name chikungunya comes from a word in the Makonde language (one of the native languages in Tanzania) that means ‘that which bends up’. This is due to the crippling joint pain caused by the virus (Public Health England – April 2014)
Map from CDC website
The incubation period can be 2-12 days, but is normally 3-7 days.
It normally starts with a sudden onset of fever and pain in the joints.
The joint pain is often very unbearable, but usually lasts for a few days or may persist for weeks.
Other common symptoms can include:
Often diagnosis can be confused with other viral illnesses such as dengue fever in areas where these infections also occur. Symptoms can vary in each individual from mild or non-existent to severe.
Most people make a full recovery, but in some cases, joint pain and arthritis may continue for several months or even years.
Occasionally eye, neurological and heart complications can occur, and gastrointestinal complaints.
Serious complications are uncommon, but in older people the disease can contribute to the cause of death.
Children may develop neurological symptoms such as seizures as a complication of the disease.
Chikungunya cannot be directly spread from person to person. When the mosquito feeds on the blood of a person infected with chikungunya, the virus enters and multiplies within the mosquito. After about 8 to 10 days, the mosquito can transmit the virus to another human by biting them, and can do this for the rest of its life.
If a person gets chikungunya abroad and becomes ill on their return to the UK, they can’t pass the infection onto anyone else. This is because the Aedes mosquito is not present in the UK, as the temperature is not consistently high enough for it to breed.
(Public Health England – April 2014)
There is no particular anti-viral treatment for chikungunya. Headache and fever symptoms can be treated symptomatically. Some people need to be admitted to hospital if their illness is severe or if complications arise.
Chikungunya can be diagnosed with a blood test.
There is no vaccine or drug to prevent chikungunya.
The only way to prevent chikungunya is to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents and wearing appropriate clothing. Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day particularly around dawn and dusk.
Clothes are your best protection – normally only use repellents on remaining exposed areas of skin.
Wear loose fitting, light coloured clothing. Mosquitos can bite through tight clothing.
You can also treat clothes with permethrin spray (an insecticide that kills insects on contact) this should only be used on clothing NOT skin.
Insect repellent – DEET has been proven to be the most effective preparation in preventing mosquito bites, it is the repellent of choice in areas with diseases such chikungunya and dengue.
DEET has been used as an insect repellent for around 50 years and it is available in different concentrations.
50% concentration is recommended.
DEET can be used for children over the age of 2 months. For children, use clothing as the main barrier and repellent only where necessary.
It can be used in pregnancy and breast feeding women.
If you are using sunscreen, it is advised that repellent must be applied after sunscreen.
Remember to remove repellent with soap and water when it is no longer needed.
Do not spray directly onto faces, spray on hands first and then apply to face. Wash hands after applying to prevent contact with lips and eyes.
Never use on cuts, abrasions or irritated skin.
Always follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Alternative recommended insect repellents are those containing Picaridin 20% and these can be used for children aged two years and older (NATHNAC)
Oil of lemon eucalyptus-based repellent is also available however this repellent only lasts as long as 15% DEET and so needs applying more frequently. Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is a different product and is not recommended as an insect repellent. (NATHNAC)
It is best to avoid sunscreen that is combined with repellent.
If you think that you or your children are reacting to an insect repellent, stop using it, wash treated skin and then seek advice from a doctor.
In your room – Consider using plug in vaporisers that release an insecticide mist in your room
Try to stay in accommodation that is air-conditioned, this usually reduces the number of insects in your room.
Those that sleep during the day, particularly young children, or sick or older people, should sleep under a mosquito net that has been treated with insecticide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends this type of net. The insecticide used in these nets mean that a mosquito will be killed on contact if it lands on the net. Cot nets are available.
Carry a sewing kit and tape to repair any holes or tears.
There is no proof (scientific or otherwise) that bath oils, electronic “buzzers”, essential oils, garlic, homeopathic remedies, odour baited mosquito traps, tea tree oil, skin moisturisers, smoking, vitamin B tablets or yeast extract (Marmite®), prevent insect bites.
Citronella based repellents are not recommended, as they do not protect you for very long. (NATHNAC)
Further advice about insect bite prevention can be found on the following websites:
Come down and speak to one of our lovely team for advice.
January 2015
Reference/bibliography list:
Fit for Travel – http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention-advice/chikungunya-fever.aspx
TRAVAX – http://www.travax.nhs.uk/diseases/non-vaccine-preventable/chikungunya.aspx
Gov.UK – Public Health England – https://www.gov.uk/chikungunya
WHO – http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs327/en/
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
Source – http://malarianomore.org.uk/malaria#quick-facts
How can you help?
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.
Dengue fever in Madeira (Portugal)
A recent outbreak of Dengue fever has been reported from Maderia. A total is 52 laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever have been reported in Madeira since the outbreak began on 3 October [1]. It is believed that a further 404 probable cases have been reported. Forty patients have required hospital treatment, no deaths have occurred. A total of cases of dengue have been reported in European travellers who visited Madeira during late September and early October . The cases include travellers from France (2), Sweden (1) and England (1). The case from England is recovering well at home.
Advice for Travellers
Dengue Fever is spread through mosquitoes that bite in daylight hours. Travellers should avoid mosquito bites.
If you feel unwell with any of the following symptoms such as fever, severe headache, muscle pain and a rash within 14 days of visiting Madeira you should seek medical advice.
There is no vaccine available to protect against dengue.
1. http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/denguemadeira_251012.htm
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
To purchase a mosquito net or insect repellent simply pop into clinic during our opening hours or buy 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
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.
Which diseases & illnesses do we cover?
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