Wk 29 - Travel health

Question 1

What are things to remember when travelling as a diabetic?

Answer 1

• Insulin shouldn’t be frozen
• GP letter
• Foot care
• Cooling wallets

Question 2

What are things to remember when travelling someone with a DVT risk?

Answer 2

• Class 1 support hosiery
• Avoid dehydration
• Exercise every 30 mins

Question 3

What are the symptoms of travel sickness?

Answer 3

• Dizziness
• Inc awareness of stomach
• Nausea
• Pallor
• Cold sweat

Question 4

What can be used as prophylaxis for travel sickness for a short journey?

Answer 4

Hyoscine hydrobromide - kwells:

• 20 mins before journey
• S/e: drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth

Question 5

What can be used as prophylaxis for travel sickness for a long journey?

Answer 5

Cinnarizine:

• 6-8 hrs
• > 12: 2 tabs 2 hrs before travel + 1 every 8 hrs
• 5-12: Half dose

Question 6

What is a non-pharmacological device for travel sickness?

Answer 6

Acupressure bands - pressure on P6

Question 7

What are the counselling points for travel sickness?

Answer 7

• Enhanced sedation w/ alcohol
• Adequate fluids
• Drive if possible
• Conc on path ahead
• Avoid activities eg. reading
• Fresh air

Question 8

What are the red flags for travel sickness?

Answer 8

• <2
• Pregnant + breast feeding
• Glaucoma
• Epilepsy
• Urinary retention
• Hepatic/renal disease

Question 9

What are the treatments for insect bites?

Answer 9

• Topical corticosteroids: hydrocortisone 1%
• Topical anaesthetics: lidocaine, benzocaine
• Topical antihistamine

Question 10

What are the counselling points for insect bites?

Answer 10

• Repellents (deet)
• Insecticides
• Nets
• Long sleeves/trousers

Question 11

What is the most common cause of malaria?

Answer 11

Plasmodium falciparum

Question 12

What are the OTC + POM prophylaxis for malaria?

Answer 12

• OTC: chloroquine, proguanil
• POM: doxy, malarone

Question 13

How do you get rid of a tick?

Answer 13

• Grasp tick w/ tweezers
• Avoid squeezing
• Pull straight out
• Ensure mouth is removed
• Don’t coat w/ petroleum jelly
• Ticovac

Question 14

What are the causes + symptoms of travellers’ diarrhea?

Answer 14

• Contaminated food + water
• Watery di, loss of appetite, bloating, vomiting

Question 15

How do you prevent travellers’ diarrhoea?

Answer 15

• Bottled water
• Freshly cooked hot food
• peel raw fruit
• Wash hands

Question 16

What should you avoid to prevent travellers’ diarrhoea?

Answer 16

• Ice cream
• Ice in drinks
• Salads
• Shellfish
• Unpasteurized dairy
• Uncovered food

Question 17

What are the counselling points for traveller’s diarrhoea?

Answer 17

• Maintain fluid
• Avoid carbonated drinks
• Oral rehydration sachets
• Short lived + self limiting

Question 18

What are the red flags for travellers’ diarrhoea?

Answer 18

• Blood stained stools
• Persistent fever
• Severe ab pain
• Dehydration
• > 6 pass in 24hrs
• Severe di in infants, children + elderly

Question 19

How is hepatitis A transmitted + what are the symptoms?

Answer 19

• Contaminated water, poor sanitation + hygiene
• Fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, joint + muscle pain

Question 20

What do you do if you are bitten or scratched by an animal?

Answer 20

• Wash wound w/ soap + running water
• Apply antiseptic/alcohol
• Seek medical advice
• Avoid wound stitched

Question 21

What are the counselling points for sunburn?

Answer 21

• Sun screen: 2 tsp for head, arms + neck, 2 tbsp for rest of body
• Apply every 2 hrs or every water trip
• Cool shower
• Maintain fluid
• Use aloe vera/aftersun