Travel Health
Dr Fahey has a Diploma in Tropical Medicine. He has worked overseas in Baghdad, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Australia and further afield.
Vaccines
Typhoid
Typhoid can be quite a serious illness.
It causes very high fevers, diarrhoea or constipation, joint swellings and sometimes a rash.
Vaccination is recommended for travel to most parts of the world.
Rabies
Rabies is still a major problem around the world, and particularly in some high-risk regions such as Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and nervous system after receiving a bite from an infected animal. Warm-blooded animals such as dogs, monkeys and bats are the most likely to cause such a bite.
Rabies vaccines are not considered 100% effective, but you should still get vaccinated before you travel. You may need additional boosters in the event of getting a bite from an animal.
Rabies vaccines can buy you time and are recommended for certain travellers in particular parts of the world.
Children are particularly at risk of animal bites and can be offered rabies vaccines if travelling to high-risk areas.
Rabies accounts for approximately 60,000 deaths per year worldwide.
Cholera Ecoli Vaccine
Cholera is a very serious diarrhoeal disease that can be life-threatening in a matter of hours. It can be picked up from contact with other infected individuals or from contaminated drinking water and food.
- The cholera vaccine also provides some protection against E. coli which can also cause severe diarrhoea.
- This vaccine is never a substitute for basic precautions against diarrhoeal disease such as proper hand washing and being careful about food and water you consume when you are abroad.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that infects your liver. It is most commonly picked up from contaminated food and water, and it is one of the most common infections contracted by travellers abroad who are not vaccinated.
It causes high fevers, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellow colouring of the skin and eyes). You are contagious while unwell and may need to be quarantined for up to 6 weeks.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B has some similarities to HIV/AIDS in how it is transmitted. The primary mode of transmission is sexual, however, unlike HIV/AIDS, it can also be picked up from saliva. It can cause a severe illness in the early stages for some people, but many individuals who pick-up the virus may not even know they have it. Unfortunately, this virus is linked to serious life-long risk of liver cancer and liver failure for 1 in 20 people who contract it.
-
- It can also be picked up by blood contact with others, assaults (including sexual assaults), human bites, and contaminated blood transfusions in hospitals.
- Vaccination is recommended if you are travelling in a country that has high population rates of hepatitis B such parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. It is especially recommended if you are likely to be
- Travelling for six weeks or more in a high-risk area
- Sexually active during your trip
- Travelling off the beaten path – this increases the likelihood of serious injury and blood contact
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a virus transmitted by mosquitos. It causes very severe illness including high fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin – hence the name), and in some cases goes on to cause more server disease and death.
It is a requirement to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever when travelling to some countries in Africa and South America (The Yellow Book).
Yellow Fever Vaccine (YFV) is a live virus vaccine and therefore not suitable for all travellers. We will ensure that you are fit to receive it during our consultation and if not, we will advise you on what you can do when travelling.
Japanese Encephalitis
This virus is transmitted by mosquitos in some areas of South East and Southern Asia. It can cause severe illness and death in those infected. It accounts for approximately 59,000 deaths per year around the world.
Although it is a rare disease, this vaccination is recommended for some travellers, particularly those travelling for extended periods of time in a high-risk area.
Our Services
We provides a full travel health service for both individuals and families including information on
- Travel vaccines
- Malaria prevention
- Common illnesses while abroad
- How to stay safe overseas
- How best to avoid diarrhoea
- Sun protection
- Protection from mosquitos and insects
- Preventing blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis) on long haul flights
- How to stay healthy while at altitude
Each trip is unique, so we tailor our service depending on the particular needs you will have. For example, you may be planning a trip to Thailand for one week, on the beach for a honeymoon, where only minimal vaccines would be required. The next time you see us may concern a trip to Thailand again, but this time for 2 months, in rural areas, teaching English to children. On this particular trip, many more vaccines may be advised, as well as malaria prevention medication. What vaccinations and advice you need before you travel depends on a few things
- Destination
- How long your trip will be
- The age of each traveller
- Where within certain countries you are travelling
- What you will be doing when you’re there
- Pre-existing medical conditions you may have
Plan a Visit
Make a list of what you want to discuss.
If you have more than a few items to discuss, put them in order and ask about the most important ones first.
Don’t put off the things that are really on your mind until the end of your appointment — bring them up right away!
