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Travel health advice from the expert panel doctor

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Reader's tip

"I always take supplies of antibacterial wipes when I'm travelling - great for grubby looking toilets, tables, door handles, whatever!"
Lily Rice, Canterbury

Dr. Laurence Gerlis
samedaydoctor

Dr Laurence Gerlis is CEO of samedaydoctor, a group of walk-in clinics in the UK. Dr Gerlis is also Medical Director of the Royal National Theatre and looks after many artists in the music business and the performing arts.

Ask Dr. Gerlis
about holiday health

Check our Swine Flu Q&A's , where you can watch Laurence's flu advice video.
He has also worked as a radio and TV doctor, recently appearing on the Alan Titchmarch show on ITV and he is a regular contributor to London's LBC and BBC radio.

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Recently posted comments

  • I’ve booked this once in a lifetime trip for me and my mother that we’ve both been really looking forward to but the doctor has just told her not to fly because of her blood pressure. Do I cancel the trip or go without her?
    Question posted 21/09/09
    • You will need to check with your travel insurance if they will cover the cost of cancellation. If your mother’s doctor has given this advice, it should be followed, but blood pressure can be brought under control. You would then need to inform the insurance company of this. Many people with high blood pressure travel, and it would be useful to find out exactly what the doctor’s worry is. You may have to defer the holiday and many travel companies will do this in preference to a refund.
      It sounds like it is a long holiday with a lot of travel. In the end it may not be suitable for your mother anyway. As long as there is someone back home to look after your mother, have you considered taking someone else? Solitary travel does not suit everyone.
  • How can I check if over the counter medicines have the same contents as their counterparts in the UK? I want to avoid allergic reactions.
    Question posted 21/09/09
    • There are many weird and wonderful medications available in pharmacies all over the world, many of which are not to be found in the UK. The ingredients sometimes include substances which are banned or never seen in this country. Try to find an English speaking pharmacist and take a note of the ingredients. You should then check via a website, on the UK packaging or with any contact you have in the UK to see if the ingredients are suitable for you.
  • I suffer from terrible hayfever and it often ruins my springtime holidays. What do you recommend so that I have a more comfortable trip?
    Question posted 21/09/09
    • It depends upon which symptoms are worst. Runny eyes respond to eye drops, runny nose to Beconase or antihistamines. Some people may be suitable for Kenalog steroid injections which we give at samedaydoctor, Ask your doctor before you go which treatment might be most suitable.
  • How soon before travel should I have the td/IPV and typhoid vaccine?
    Question posted 25/08/09
    • Most people leave vaccination too late, but better late than never. Ideally you should think about all of this 3-4 weeks before travelling. Hepatitis A vaccine lasts one year, but a booster given in six months will give ten years’ cover, well worthwhile for regular travellers and Hepatitis A is by far the greatest risk of all of these infections.
  • Do I need vaccination for Mexico?
    Question posted 25/08/09
    • Hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus and polio are a standard recommendation. Malaria tablets are usually not needed.
      However, no amount of vaccination can replace the need for care with drinking water, avoiding ice and salads rinsed in tap water. Always use bottled water, even for cleaning teeth in hot or exotic climates.
      It is worth also bearing in mind that there is currently a second wave of swine flu in Mexico, for more information watch the advice video at ww.holidayextras.com
  • Which vaccinations are currently recommended for South Africa?
    Question posted 25/08/09
    • If you have never had any travel vaccinations, then we at samedaydoctor normally recommend any traveller to have Hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus and polio. These are fairly standard.
      Malaria tablets are needed for travel to game reserves and should be taken for one week at least after return from a malaria area - it is also vital to use nets, creams and clothing to prevent bites from mosquitoes. Yellow fever vaccination is not needed if arriving from the UK.
      Remember to keep a record of what you have had and keep this with you passport, it will be very helpful to you and your doctors when it comes to future trips.
  • My family of four are going to France in August. We have health insurance but would we be able to get Tamiflu there if we got swine flu and is it true the French have been very aggressive in isolating Brits who become ill?
    Question posted 24/07/09
    • I have heard that Tamiflu is quite difficult to get hold of in France and other parts of Europe, I don’t think their Governments have ordered as much from the manufacturers. I have also heard some stories of men in white spacesuits carrying away British people with suspected swine flu. These are probably a bit of an exaggeration, but please do not expect the more sanguine approach that we British have to this situation.

Read Laurence's tips on buying travel insurance

health expert

Dr Gerlis, MA, MB, B Chir (Cantab), MRCP (UK), FFPM, is a BUPA-registered specialist and is licensed to practice medicine in France as well as the UK. He graduated with double-first class honours from Clare College Cambridge where he won the William Butler prize in Medicine.