Travelling Abroad
9 March 2022
As the world reopens and international travel becomes something Australians can once again enjoy, it’s important to consider your travel health. And whilst COVID-19 has dominated the health industry news over the last two years, when it comes to travel, it isn’t the only risk to consider.
When travelling abroad, there are typically three (3) categories your doctor will consider with respect to travel vaccines:
- Routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas)
- Selected vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and likely risk of disease exposure
- Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) or for entry into specific countries
Typically, contracting the flu (or even a common cold), sustaining a tetanus-prone wound, and contracting food and drink-borne diseases like hepatitis A and typhoid are also considered common risks to travellers.
Looking at Hepatitis A and typhoid fever, both of these diseases are transmitted by the faecal-oral route, primarily through ingesting contaminated food or water. They are commonly contracted in developing countries with inadequate hygiene measures, and as a result are at a higher risk of both transmission and infection. (1,2)
The Australian Immunisation Handbook, which is developed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and approved by the National health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC); recommends a combined hepatitis A/typhoid vaccine be administered (that lasts up to 3 years) to those aged of 16 years and over who are intending on travelling to developing nations (or those at an increased risk of these diseases). (1,2)
Vaccines your doctor may recommend for you when travelling include (but are not limited to): (3)
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis – or at the very least a booster dose of tetanus-containing vaccine if the last dose was more than 10 years ago
- Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
- Influenza and/or Pneumococcal Disease
- COVID-19
- Typhoid
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) – if born after 1966 and have not received two (2) doses of MMR vaccine before travelling
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Malaria Prophylaxis
- Meningococcal Disease
- Cholera
- Yellow Fever – depending on the region of travel
Cleveland Medical operates a travel clinic (and is an accredited Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinic) for the benefit of our patients to ensure they are well prepared before travelling. Offering a patient-centred approach which is collaborative, proactive, and supportive; we recommend making a travel consultation booking at least 6-8 weeks prior to your travel date (although even earlier can be more advantageous).
Whether you’re headed to the USA for a sight-seeing and ski holiday, or off to Tanzania for a safari experience, be sure to book an appointment and chat with your GP to ensure you have a travel safe plan for your health on your next overseas holiday.
(1) Department of Health. Australian Immunisation Handbook: Hepatitis A. Link - Hepatitis A | The Australian Immunisation Handbook (health.gov.au)
(2) Department of Health. Australian Immunisation Handbook: Typhoid fever. Link - Typhoid fever | The Australian Immunisation Handbook (health.gov.au)
(3) Smart Traveller. Vaccinations and Preventative Health. Link - Vaccinations and preventative health | Smartraveller
This September, we're celebrating Women's Health Week from Monday 2nd to Friday 6th, at Cleveland Medical. The theme this year is Your Health Your Choice, with a focus on having conversations about hormonal changes, nutrition, overcoming shame and stigma, and parenting challenges. As part of the week, the team at Jean Hailes for Women's Health have put together this great little resource for all women to remember what health checks are needed and how frequently. You can get a copy of the resource for yourself by visiting: Health checks for women poster | Jean Hailes
Caring for Seniors At Cleveland Medical we appreciate older aged patients are often more likely to suffer from a range of health conditions or concerns than younger patients. Whilst when we think of ageing, we all expect wrinkles and grey hair to present, but sometimes did you know ageing will also affect your entire cardiovascular system; your bones, joints and muscles; as well as your bladder, memory, eyes, ears and teeth to name just a few? The caring Doctors at Cleveland Medical are experienced to help you with any concerns you might have, as your health changes. With dignity and respect, they can work with you address current health concerns, whilst also collaborating to help prevent or delay the onset of other conditions you might be at risk of developing (like diabetes, heart disease, dementia etc.). At Cleveland Medical we bulk bill the 75 years and older health assessment. If you’re 75 years and older, we can also offer you an annual Health Assessment to help monitor your health and wellbeing. These assessments can assist your GP in identifying anything of concern with things like blood pressure, memory, fall-risks, depression, sleep and maintaining a healthy weight. All this information can ensure your GP can pro-actively attend to any issues before they worsen and potentially even avoid a hospital admission in the future. What does the 75+ Health Assessment include: · Information Collection – patient history and arranging any tests / examinations required · Overall Assessment · Providing recommendations for interventions or improvements for better health · Keeping a record of the assessment and sharing with any authorised parties (e.g. carer, other specialists, allied health providers etc.). Let Cleveland Medical coordinate your care across a team of skilled professionals. Similarly, older patients often have more complex medications or prescriptions; referrals to specialists; and might even be on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan to support their care. The GPs at Cleveland Medical work closely with a host of local pharmacists, medical specialists and allied health professionals (physiotherapists, psychologists, audiologists, dietitians, podiatrists etc.). Early intervention and regular health checks can help you enjoy a healthier life for longer. If you’re interested in speaking with one of our GPs or you’re interested in having a Health Assessment (and are 75 years and older), make an appointment online or by phoning reception during clinic hours.
Cleveland Medical and i-scribe i-scribe is revolutionizing patient documentation and record-taking. It is an automatic transcription service Specialist Doctors use to capture the consultation and transcribe medical notes. i-scribe does not store any audio files. How secure is it? i-scribe has the same level of encryption as Hospitals and other Electronic Medical Record Software that is used in this clinic. Should you prefer not to use this technology, kindly let us know and we will accommodate your preference.
Better Consult helps start mental health conversations! Research around the world highlights their remains a reluctance from males to talk about their mental health, despite efforts to destigmatise. In fact, the World Health Organisation, states that across the globe, males die by suicide at a rate twice that of females. 1 It’s believed, the reason so many males still don’t talk about mental health comes back to old ideas about gender, with concepts of “Man Up”, “Be Tough”, and “All Good Mate”. Yet, as the world continues to move at a rapid pace with communication platforms now embedded in every phase of our lives, life over the last few decades (for men and women) has increasingly changed. Dr Naveen, here at Cleveland Medical, acknowledges that patients can find it difficult to talk about their mental health. Dr Naveen is a successful doctor and father of two teenage children. “I try to keep in mind what I teach my patients—that mental health, especially men's mental health—and that talking about my own emotions and challenges is beneficial. It's common to have days that are harder than others, and occasionally we need assistance because the issues we confront are too big for us to handle alone.” This year at Cleveland Medical, we've introduced the new pre-consultation tool of BetterConsult. This unique tool, allows all patients to share information with their doctor prior to their appointment, meaning patients can note for their Doctor anything they would like to address / talk about without having to physically say it face to face to their GP. We’re finding that for things like mental health (along with other health topics people sometimes find challenging to speak out), this tool is helping these valuable conversations take place. If you’re in need of support or want to access helpful resources on mental health, you can also access the following services: Lifeline – 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue – www.beyondblue.org.au Black Dog Institute – www.blackdoginstitute.org.au 1. World Health Organisation Article - One in 100 deaths is by suicide (who.int)
Healthy Habits App The Healthy Habits Resource Hub is a one-stop shop for information, programs, guidelines and training opportunities on physical activity, nutrition and other factors that impact these behaviours such as sleep, mental wellbeing, alcohol consumption, and chronic conditions. Download the FREE App https://healthyhabits.racgp.org.au/phone-app/ tthttps://healthyhabits.racgp.org.au/phone-ap/ps://healthyhabits.racgp.org.au/phone-app/
Doctors at our practice now use BetterConsult, a pre-consultation questionnaire completed by patients that gives your doctor an understanding of the reason for your visit. How does BetterConsult benefit you? - Spend more time talking about treatment - Focus on discussing treatment options instead of going over symptoms. Never forget what you want to cover with your GP - Take your time documenting each health concern before your appointment. Answer questions about your health, in private - Consider your symptoms and medications, in privacy. Rely on the security of your medical data - Document your information securely so that it is only seen by your Doctor.
Why You Need That Annual Health Check Start 2023 the best way you can for your health, by making your annual health check appointment with one of the Doctors here at Cleveland Medical. Having regular health checks with your GP can help identify any early signs of health issues or concerns. And finding these problems early improves the chances of effectively treating any concerns or implementing strategies to minimise onset. That’s why, no matter your age, family history, existing medical conditions and/or lifestyle choices it’s a good idea to visit your GP regularly to: · Monitor current or emerging medical concerns · Check your risk of future medical conditions · Prompt you to maintain a healthy lifestyle and support positive lifestyle choices · Stay on-top of vaccinations, medications and referrals you may need At Cleveland Medical the doctors and allied health professionals are here to support you. Making the effort to have an annual health check can also provide you a chance to assess your own health (emotional, physical and mental), habits and lifestyle to make positive change and improvements that will support you and your family. Please note, allied health services available at Cleveland Medical include: · Physiotherapy · Dietician
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Global travel is back. Before setting sail for that trip of a lifetime, travelers must consider how to protect their health. While COVID-19 has overrun our headlines and headspace for the last two years, there is more to consider when travelling abroad. Routine vaccinations, travel vaccinations, medications and current health and wellbeing have slipped into the background as we focus on regulations around masks, COVID-19 vaccinations, and social distancing. Visiting your doctor before your trip can make sure you stay healthy while experiencing new environments. All explorers should visit their GP at least 6 weeks before travelling. Before you trade beautiful Australia for an overseas destination, your doctor will go through three key things: 1. Health check 2. Travel vaccinations 3. Destination health advice Health Check A health check makes sure you and your family are fit to travel, you have enough of your medications for your trip, and your standard vaccinations are up to date. Travel Vaccinations As each destination has its own charm, it also has its own challenges. Whether you’re travelling through rural or urban locations in developed or developing countries, your itinerary will influence how you manage your health. Your doctor will recommend vaccinations based on the location of your trip and the activities you have planned, your vaccination history and health check. As a general guide, travel to developed countries requires an update on influenza, measles, and whooping cough. Travel to Asia, Africa, South America, and the Pacific may require additional vaccinations, the most common being Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Without these vaccinations, travelers are at higher risk and may have trouble entering their destination country or re-entering Australia. It is recommended that travelers come in at least 6 weeks in advance to ensure they are fully protected by the time they are abroad. Some vaccines require several doses spread over several weeks while others take a few weeks to become effective. Destination health advice You need health advice tailored to your adventure. Your doctor can provide you with destination specific advice. They will discuss likelihood and risk mitigation of food and water contamination, mosquito exposure, dangerous wildlife interactions, and unhealthy sun exposure, as well as how the destination and planned activities may influence existing medical conditions. For the best advice, bring your travel itinerary with your planned adventures. You should also check for current information on safety, local laws, travel requirements, health concerns and local contacts specific to your destination. Book in today Make sure you put a visit with your GP at Cleveland Medical on your to-do list before your next trip. We are trained in travel medicine, so chat with us before you head off on your Euro trip, Asian adventure or Tanzanian safari experience. Plan your health so you can travel more and worry less!