travel
TRAVEL HEALTH FOR BALI AND BEYOND REMEMBER THE UNFORTUNATE TURN OF EVENTS WHEN CHARLOTTE WAS CAUGHT SHORT IN SEX IN THE CITY? THE LAST THING YOU WANT ON YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY IS TO SUFFER AN ILLNESS. MOST DESTINATIONS CARRY SOME LEVEL OF HEALTH RISK AND MOST PROBLEMS ARE PREVENTABLE BY GETTING THE RIGHT ADVICE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. Pharmacists at the Travel Health Advisory Service (APharmTHAS) at Amcal Robert Poole’s Pharmacy in Fairfield Central offer travellers a free formal assessment of the health issues associated with their trip. There is also ample information available about what vaccinations should be considered and how to generally stay healthy and happy on holidays, with soon-to-be jet setters given useful take-home information portfolios about relevant health topics. Amcal Robert Poole’s Pharmacy pharmacist Chris Richardson offers answers here to some common travel health queries: HOW LONG BEFORE TRAVELLING SHOULD I SEEK TRAVEL HEALTH ADVICE? Ideally at least eight weeks prior to your departure date. If you have left things until the last minute it is still important to get health advice even though you may not have time to complete all of the recommended treatments. WILL I NEED VACCINATIONS IF I’M GOING TO BALI? In addition to being up-to-date with all standard vaccinations, some other vaccinations are usually recommended when
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travelling to Bali. Our Travel Health Advisory Service will make recommendations about what vaccinations you need to consider based on your individual travel itinerary and medical circumstances. IS THERE A RISK OF CONTRACTING MALARIA IN BALI? In most tourist areas in Bali the risk is considered low, however, there may be an increased risk depending on which geographical area(s) you are visiting – it’s wise to get specific advice before you go. In any case, it is extremely important to take precautions against mosquito bites to reduce the risk. Not all insect repellents are equally effective and some are not safe for everyone. Ask our pharmacists to show you the most effective products as well as information about other ways to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. WHAT OTHER HEALTH ISSUES DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN TRAVELLING TO BALI? It’s very important to get advice about traveller’s diarrhoea, food and water safety, sun safety (bear in mind some medications can make you more sensitive to the sun), first
aid kits, colds and flu, prevention of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), sexual health and travelling with medicines, just to name a few. Ask us for free brochures to take home. APharmTHAS is a collaborative project between the James Cook University (JCU) School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences; the JCU School of Pharmacy and Molecular Sciences, and Amcal Robert Poole’s Pharmacy. All travellers are assessed and high-risk travellers (for example those requiring vaccines) will be referred to their doctor or a specialised medical travel clinic.
FREE TRAVEL HEALTH SEMINAR Learn about safeguarding your health when travelling. The Travel Health Advisory Service at Amcal Robert Poole’s Pharmacy is having a free Bali and South East Asia seminar. Guest speaker is Associate Professor Ian Heslop, head of the Discipline of Pharmacy at James Cook University and there will be information packs, prizes and giveaways on offer. Seminar dates are Tuesday, August 2 at 10am and Tuesday, August 9 at 6pm. Places are limited so please book now by phoning 4778 2095.