Welcome to the Travel Clinic North Shore (we are currently booked a week in advance)
Travel Medicine is more than travel vaccinations. We are the specialists in travel health advice & products and endeavour to make your journey safe and healthy.
We will prepare you for your travels, assist you while travelling (with access to our travel doctor at no extra cost) and for after-travel concerns. The advice we give you is tailored to you, your health, your trip and your concerns: to travel safely and wisely within one's own tolerance risk.
Taking precautions can make all the difference between a trip to remember and one you prefer to forget. Feel free to come into our travel clinic and browse before you start your journey - there is much to see, learn and feed your soul. Happiness is not a destination, it's a way of life.
Your concerns may be:
What is the risk of dengue & chikungunya? How can I prevent bed bugs?
Dengue (breakbone fever) and Chikungunya (bended walker in Swahili) are re-emerging mosquito borne diseases and are becoming a problem and concern for world class cities e.g. Singapore
Risk times for the dengue biting mosquito are usually dusk and dawn, whereas the malaria biting mosquito feeds between dusk to dawn.
There are no vaccines to prevent dengue and chikungunya, so avoid getting bitten. Use insect repellents when outdoors on exposed skin and or clothing impregnated in permethrin. Look for insect repellents that contain DEET (diethyl-toluamide), picaridin or IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. DEET is the 'gold standard' for efficacy and has been studied and tested rigorously for 50 years.
In general, repellents protect longer against mosquito bites when they have a higher concentration of any of the active ingredients. However, concentration of > 50% do not offer a distinct increase in protection time. 20-40% DEET is ideal, however 80% strength may be advised under certain conditions.
If you require daytime insect avoidance, then it is a lot easier to use a combined mixture of DEET and sunscreen (SPF+23). If you are using a repellent alone, then the sunscreen is applied first and the DEET or picaridin applied over.
If you are travelling with a sleeping bag liner or a sleep sheet, then do soak or spray it with permethrin prior to travel to avoid bed bug infestation.
Should I be taking anti-malaria medication ?
There is no simple anti malaria medication prescription, you have to weigh the pros and cons and we help you make the decision. Far too many and inappropriate prescriptions are issued by family practitioners. The actual risk of malaria depends on the area you are visiting, taking note of the FIVE different strains of the malaria parasite, transmission, recent outbreaks, climate, altitude, duration and type of travel.
The decision whether to use preventative drugs or not will be based on discussion with you and our doctor about the relative malaria risk and the area to be visited, as well as the potential side effects and the cost of the available anti-malaria drugs. Medication will only be dispensed if you absolutely need it. The malaria consultation fee with our doctor costs $45 (~ 15 min).
We diagnosed the first case of 'Monkey Malaria' in NZ, in a traveller returning from Asia ( 3 August 2010 -NZ Herald)
Click here to see the full article
A MUST READ IF YOU ARE PLANNING TRAVEL TO POSSIBLE MALARIA AREAS
Chloroquine, Doxycycline, Lariam, Malarone and Primaquine
These drugs are used to kill the malaria parasite before the traveller becomes ill.
They are usually commenced before entering the malaria area, to ensure that protective levels are reached.
Sometimes, we may choose to trial them well before your trip to check that you have no adverse reactions while travelling.
They may need to be continued for 7 to 28 days (depending) after leaving the area to ensure the treatment of parasites still emerging from the liver.
No drug is 100% effective, but when chosen well, they can provide 90% or more protection over and above simply using mosquito avoidance measures.
The decision whether to use preventative drugs or not should be based on discussion with the travel doctor about the relative malaria risk and the area to be visited, as well as the potential side effects and the cost of the available anti-malaria drugs.
The actual risk of malaria depends on the area you are visiting, taking note of the different strains of the malaria parasite, recent outbreaks and transmission, climate, altitude, duration and type of travel.
If you are at risk, the travel doctor will advise you on the best options.
There are pros and cons (dosing, efficacy, side effects and costs) of the different types of anti- malaria medications.
Finally, there is no point in relying on the local guides and local folk for advice on your malaria risk, as they have a level of semi-immunity.
NB: The mosquito that carries the malaria parasite is small and not easily seen or heard. A simple bite, a deadly infection. Malaria is a serious and life-threatening disease and there is no published evidence to support the use of homeopathy, vitamin B or garlic in the prevention of malaria.
There is no simple anti-malarial prescription. Far too many prescriptions are issued by family doctors, and not infrequently inappropriate.
You have to weigh up the pros and cons.
If you wish to consult us at the travel clinic to decide if you really do need to be taking personal protective measures and anti-malaria medication for a particular area within a country, the cost of the consult is $45. We will spend ~ 15 minutes with you discussing the real risk of malaria and only dispense medication if absolutely necessary. When you book, please request a malaria appointment.
You should purchase your antimalarial drugs before travel. Drugs purchased overseas may not be manufactured according to New Zealand standards and may not be effective. They also may be dangerous, contain counterfeit medications or contaminants, or be combinations of drugs that are not safe to use.
NB: Once anti-malarial medication is dispensed, they cannot be returned. Prices quoted are per tablet. You have to have been consulted by our doctor to order medication.
Chloroquine
Chloroquine. For certain areas in Central America.
Use is restricted to plasmodium vivax risk areas eg. Central America.
Cost: $2.30 per tablet
Dosing: take 2 tablets once a week after a meal with plenty of fluid, starting 1 week before entering a risk area, while in the risk area and for 4 weeks after leaving the risk area.
Doxycycline tablets
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Doxycycline 100mg. A popular, cost effective option for travellers. $0.70 per tablet |
Dosing: take 1 tablet daily after a meal with plenty of fluid, starting 2 days before entering a risk area, while in the area and for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria risk area.
This drug is an antibiotic of the tetracycline group and should be taken with plenty of food and liquid, otherwise it may cause nausea and heartburn. 1 in 20 people will sunburn more easily while taking it. The photosensitivity usually manifests as an exaggerated sunburn reaction. The risk of such a reaction can be minimised by avoiding prolonged, direct exposure to the sun and by using sunscreens that absorb long-wave UV radiation.
Children or pregnant women cannot use it. It may interfere with the oral contraceptive and may predispose to thrush so women should carry anti-thrush treatment.
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How can I reduce the risk of a common travel health problem, Travellers Diarrhoea ?
Some travellers get it and some don't. They say it runs in your 'jeans'! Smile 
Up to 1-in-2 travellers may experience Travellers' Diarrhoea during their 2 week vacation. Usually the diarrhoea occurs during the first week of vacation, last 3-5 days, but about 10% of diarrhoeas can develop into irritable bowel disease. We will advise you on strategies to avoid food and water borne illness, and show you the latest safe and healthy products. There is an oral vaccine Dukoral available that provides protection against the common 'tummy' bugs.
P.S: Bottle water is only as good as the country that it is made in, so best to use personal water filters e.g. Seychelle Travelsafe or Aquamira which are great for the environment and cost effective. Many bottle water brands in developing countries will fail western quality testing standards for consumption.
Do:
Drink safe water, soft drinks, bottled fruit juice, alcoholic beverages without ice and hot beverages
Drink pasteurised, properly refrigerated milk and dairy products
Eat fruits and vegetables that are freshly peeled or cooked
Eat foods that are recently cooked and piping hot
Don't:
Drink tap water or ice cubes
Eat fruits that don't need peeling
Eat uncooked vegetables or salads
Eat raw or undercooked meat, fish or shellfish
Eat or drink unpasteurised or unrefrigerated dairy products
Cook it, boil it, peel it - easy to remember but impossible to do!
What medical kits should I carry ?
Never leave home without a medical kit. Our lightweight, compact, cost-effective medical kits will be personalised for you, with proper instructions, a 'flow chart' guide and a customs letter.
Please note that some ' tummy bugs' in certain areas of the world are resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics in New Zealand ie. you have to have an understanding of worldwide gastrointestinal micro-organism resistance patterns to prescribe appropriately.
Consider carrying your regular essential medications in two lots in separate suitcases.
You should purchase your medication before travel. Drugs purchased overseas may not be manufactured according to New Zealand standards and may not be effective. They also may be dangerous, contain counterfeit medications or contaminants, or be combinations of drugs that are not safe to use.
If you are not one of our regular travellers and only require a medical kit, then please book a 'medical kit' appointment - $35. Our regular travellers can 'top up' any items in the medical kit (our travel doctor must have seen you in the last 2 years).
Medical Kits Information
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Never leave home without a medical kit
- Travellers diarrhoea is the commonest ailment affecting travellers, and even though you may be travelling 5 star , it is sensible to carry a medical pack.
- Types of medical kits: Gastro, Gastro Plus, Travel, or we customise to your needs
- These compact, slim and lightweight kits come with full instructions, a handy gastro guide and a letter of authority for customs
- Please follow the 'flow chart guide' or you can complicate travellers diarrhoea if you medicate inappropriately
- The medication we supply have long expiry dates of between 1 - 3 years
- We try and source long expiry date medication, so the kits are useful for a while
- Our travellers find them very useful and “it's like having a doctor with you”
- You will need to consult our travel doctor if you only require a medical kit as it contains scheduled medication (medical kit appointment $35)
- If you require any specific medication that we don't stock, then there is a prescription fee of $20
NB: Once medication, vaccines or medical kits are dispensed, they cannot be returned!
| Gastro Kit | ||||
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This is the minimum that you will need while abroad. It covers gastro, urinary tract infections, cystitis and painful periods - $40 Please note that some areas in the world have high campylobacter resistance, and you will need appropriate antibiotics.
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What immunisations do I really need?
Our website (refer to main menu: Vaccinations) gives you a general guide of what you would need to protect yourself. However what you really need depends on ' you, your health, your trip ' and this will be discussed at the time of your consultation with our travel doctor.
However, for those of you that do insist, we have a 'Country Report' on the main menu of our website where you can select the country you are travelling to from the CDC website. This will give you a general idea of what you need to consider for your trip
Click here for more information on routine, recommended and required vaccinations
How can I prepare for travel to high altitude?
There is no way of predicting your response to travel to altitude (either trekking, bus or flights to cities e.g. Cusco). Even the experienced sherpa can develop alttitude sickness on his first season climb.
It is remarkable how many travellers believe that a 'headache' at altitude is normal, it is not ! If you are carrying altitude medication, always carry a package insert in the actual medication container to refer to so you know when, how to use and how to titrate so you achieve the optimum therapeutic dose (with the least side-effects).
Preventative medication include gingko, acetazolomide and dexamethasone. The treatment of altitude sickness is descent, however some of drugs can be used as treament .
Denial is also common - be willing to admit that you have altitude sickness, as that is the first step to stay out of trouble.
My legs ache or swell when I travel?
Travel can cause swelling of the feet and ankles. This is because sitting for long periods of time, overeating, cabin air pressure and dry cabin air allows the blood to pool in the lower legs which can lead to more serious issues, i.e. blood clots.
To ensure maximum comfort, reduce your risks and therefore gain greater enjoyment from your travels, we suggest the following:
- Compression stockings (class 1 minimum ie. 20mm Hg pressure at the ankle), properly fitted by our trained staff can help you avoid the tired leg syndrome, jet lag and puffy ankles.
- Poorly fitted compression stockings can do more harm than good so it is important to choose your compression stockings according to your ankle, calf and below knee measurements (not just on a shoe size).
- Most importantly have your risks factors evaluated.
Please feel welcome to come in and view our wide range of compression stockings for both men and women available in fashion colours.
NB: the 'white coloured' hospital compression stockings are ideal for the recumbent position ie. post surgery (lying in bed), however are not advisable for ambulation (upright position and walking)
Click here for medical compression stockings (class 1- 20mmHg pressure), costs from $65
Am I at risk for blood clots ( DVT )?
Blood clots can occur in travellers with specific risk factors. Immobility for more than 4 hours in a car, bus, train or aircraft may increase the risk of blood clotting. It is a myth that DVT only occurs in economy class, business class passengers are also at risk.
Some travellers are at greater risk:
- Anyone with a family history of abnormal clotting
- Pregnant travellers or those on a contraceptive pill
- Anyone in a plaster cast
- Overweight travellers
- Travellers with extremes of height
- Elderly travellers
- Smokers
- Travellers with underlying medical problems eg. cardiac
We will assess and advise what is the most appropriate preventative measures for you, and the very high risk traveller may need to consider heparin injections.
Will aspirin help prevent DVT?
No ....... !!!
There is lack of scientific evidence as to the efficacy of aspirin in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis. Aspirin is widely used to help prevent blood clots in arteries which can cause strokes and heart attacks, and has no use in the prevention of blood clots in the leg veins.
This is because the mechanism by which the clot starts in the vein is different and aspirin has less of an effect.
What is the best travel insurance ?
Travel insurance is essential for any overseas trip, especially if you’re travelling to the US (even on a stopover)
Buy travel insurance as soon as you buy your tickets
Be upfront with your insurer ie. advise them of any pre-existing medical condition and activities planned esp. if hazardous
Make sure you read the fine print, some policies have the wording of their policies online. Policy cover is based on limits associated with medical cover, loss of luggage, cancellations, personal liability, evacuation, rental vehicle excess and adventure activities.
Don’t assume that your credit card travel insurance policy automatically covers you. It’s offered ‘free’ to holders of Gold Credit cards. Most banks limit cover to 35 days (except ASB, ANZ and National Gold provide for 90 days)
Popular Travel Insurance Companies (A- Z)
Good 2 Go
One Cover *
Online Travel Insurance
Southern Cross Travelcare
Tower Cover 4 travel
Travel Insurance Web Travel Insurance Direct
Worldcare *
* consumer.org.nz choice for travel to Asia, Europe, USA
What do I do if I return home feeling unwell?
If you develop any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should see us as soon as possible after you return.
We have the expertise to quickly and efficiently ascertain and pinpoint your post travel illness.
Travellers who acquire certain viral, bacterial or parasitic infections abroad may become ill as late as six to eight weeks after returning home.
Some diseases may take even longer to manifest themselves. Malaria, for example, may not cause symptoms for as long as six months to a year after infection.
end faq
We provide a high quality and consistent service in the field of travel medicine:
- Yellow fever vaccination and all other travel vaccinations including rabies, japanese encephalitis and tick bite
- Personal, expert, up-to-date advice
- Experienced travel doctor
- NZ's best priced online store for safe and healthy travel products
- International Certificate of Vaccination & Prophylaxis (the official NZ Ministry of Health approved)
- Medical kits - standard or customized
- Deep Vein Thrombosis assessment + compression stockings
- Water filters and purification
- Malaria prevention and medication
- Insect repellents, permethrin, mosquito nets
- Medical assessment and assistance: before, whilst and after travel
- Fitness to fly, work permit and visa medicals for travellers