Archive for the ‘Clinic Stories’ Category

Staying safe during an Ebola mission

Dr Saschveen Singh, Capstone Health, Wembley

Ebola Staff health: not your average travel medicine story.

Since the West African outbreak made international headlines in 2015-2017, Ebola has been shrouded in myth. Many had forgotten its existence.

But the recent major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has put the disease centre-stage again.

When I was placed at an Ebola treatment centre with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors without Borders) my friends and family first asked me why on earth I wanted to go there; and, second, what I would do to stay safe.

• Posted on July 18, 2019
• Posted in Wembley

Altitude Illness in the Andes  

Dr Jason Rajakulendran, TMA Sandringham.

A recent holiday to the Andean mountains of Ecuador & Peru highlighted to me the importance of careful preparation for any time spent at altitude. The Andes as the world’s second highest mountain range, allow relatively easy flight access to stunning high-altitude regions and active pursuits. As I climbed above 5000m on the glacial volcano of Cotopaxi, I started feeling the dramatic effects of altitude illness despite some efforts to acclimatise. Fortunately, I was able to recover quickly and enjoy the remainder of the holiday. Please read on for advice on how to help prevent and manage altitude illness when travelling to high places.

• Posted on July 11, 2019
• Posted in Sandringham
• Tags: Altitude

Antarctica: Icebergs and secret weapon

Dr Cormac Carey,
Medical Director, Toowoomba.

After sampling the wonderful delights of Buenos Aires we flew South to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Here, we boarded our expedition vessel RCGS ( Royal Canadian Geographical Society) Resolute, our home for the next nine nights on a calm Friday afternoon.
The weather certainly allayed the potential for the dreaded sea sickness.  Having been previously severely affected on several fishing trips,
I had researched all possible preventive options and was armed with an arsenal.

• Posted on March 22, 2019
• Posted in Toowoomba
• Tags: Antarctica

Medical illnesses can present serious challenges overseas

by Dr Daniel Priest and Dr Donald Leitch – Shoal Bay, NSW

Have you seen random articles on Facebook etc explaining the things that annoy flight attendants? There is quite a list: clipping your toenails … who does that on a plane?? Going barefoot… that’s smelly bad behaviour. Clicking fingers for attention, requesting a temperature change, not bringing a pen (to fill in the customs forms on international flights) to name just a few.

When you travel, especially overseas, there is so much medical advice we can give. Travel doctors are passionate about giving good, relevant, up to date advice in a comprehensive way… not just a few shots and something for malaria. It is such a privilege to be of assistance to help you have a safe and pleasant trip… but we want to do it well… and that takes time and attention.

• Posted on January 16, 2019
• Posted in Shoal Bay

 An African Safari

Potential travellers are now thinking about the Australian winter in 2019 and many are thinking of safaris in Africa. Common destinations include Kruger National park in South Africa, and other fabulous destinations in Botswana, Zambia, & Kenya. They will have a wonderful time, but all should consult their Travel Medicine professional before travelling, ideally at least 6 weeks in advance.

Make sure your tetanus vaccine is up to date.

• Posted on December 13, 2018
• Posted in Daylesford, Other

Typhoid Vaccination

Written by Dr Diana Gillatt, Tanunda Medical Centre

So what is Typhoid Fever and where is it a problem?

Typhoid is a nasty bacterial infection you contract from contaminated food or drink, sometimes even from dust.. You would develop a fever, headache, tiredness, general aches, a rash and abdominal pain with upset bowels. It can be mistaken for malaria or other tropical illnesses. Often Typhoid will be serious enough to land you in hospital.

It tends to occur in countries with warm climates and that have poorer sanitation standards for their water and sewerage.  Your travel doctor will let you know if your planned trip will put you at risk of catching Typhoid.

Worldwide millions of cases still occur every year, and many thousands of people die. So it’s a good thing to avoid!

Vaccination is recommended, and there are different options, some vaccination can be given orally instead of by injection..

Protection from vaccination takes a couple of weeks to build up to it’s full effect so you need to seek medical advice ideally 6 weeks before departure..

• Posted on September 13, 2018
• Posted in Tanunda
• Tags: Typhoid

Walking the Camino

Carmel Limpus RN based in Ipswich

IT’S JUST A BIG LONG WALK!

During September 2017 I walked the Camino de Santiago or the Way of St James from France, over the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

I stumbled across the idea of a pilgrimage walk a couple of years ago when my Mother and the ‘Godmother’ took me to the movies to see a documentary on it.  I walked out of that theatre and thought – ‘ if those old dudes can do it, so can I’.

• Posted on August 29, 2018
• Posted in Ipswich

Yellow Fever; To Boost or Not to boost…That is the question!

David Rutherford – TMA member Fremantle

Yellow Fever remains as relevant to travellers today as it was back in the 1700’s when it was first described. The history of the illness is fascinating.

• Posted on July 13, 2018
• Posted in Fremantle, Other
• Tags: Mosquito

Bairnsdale Ulcer

Dr Andrew Karamesinis  : TMA member based in Mt Eliza, Victoria

Travellers love to come and visit Victoria, Australia,  and in particular the picturesque Mornington Peninsula.

They usually have a great time, but very occasionally it is possible to take home an unwanted souvenir in the form of a persistent skin ulcer.

• Posted on June 11, 2018
• Posted in MtEliza, Other
• Tags: ulcer

Patagonia and Punta Arenas

Dr Leo Foong TMA member in Rockingham WA

Bucket lists are there to be crossed and this I have done after getting to visit Santiago for a week and the Patagonian region and then to Punta Arenas to fly to King George Island (thereby escaping the emetic Drake Passage) for an Antarctic Cruise.

Patagonia is a region encompassing the vast southernmost tip of South America and shared by Argentina and Chile. The Andes mountains divides the two countries and forms a geographic boundary. On the Chilean side there are temperate rainforests and glacial fjords.

• Posted on May 24, 2018
• Posted in Other, Rockhampton
• Tags: Patagonia