You can get altitude sickness if you travel to a high altitude too quickly. Breathing becomes difficult because you're not able to take in as much oxygen.

Altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness (AMS), can become a medical emergency if ignored.

Your age, sex or physical fitness do not affect your likelihood of getting altitude sickness.

Also, just because you may not have had it before, this does not mean you will not get it on another trip. 

Our pharmacist can provide medication to prevent and treat the condition.

Chickenpox, is a  viral infection common in childhood. It’s highly contagious and is spread through coughing, sneezing, and direct contact. 

Symptoms include red itchy spots, blisters and later on scabs. Other symtoms include a high temp (over 38 degrees C), loss of appetite, generally feeling unwell and aches and pains.

Our private service administers two vaccinations at a minimum of four weeks apart. If you have already had a dose eleswhere we can provide the follow dose provided you meet the necessary requirements. Suitable for children over the age of 1 year. Should not be administered within 1 month of other childhood vaccines.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Cholera is an infection that can cause severe diarrhoea.  You can catch cholera from:

• drinking unclean water
• eating food (particularly shellfish) that's been in unclean water
• eating food that's been handled by an infected person

The risk of getting it while travelling is very small.

It's mainly found in places without a clean water supply or modern sewage system, such as parts of Africa and Asia. The disease can be more serious in adults, particularly pregnant women and those who smoke.

VACCINE DOSAGE: 

Two doses given 1 week apart for anyone aged 6 and above. 3 doses for anyone aged 2 to 6 years of age.

Two doses at 0 and 6 weeks, given to children from 1 year of age and adults. Vaccine fully effective 6 weeks after the 2nd dose.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

At least 2 weeks before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

2 years

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Diphtheria is vaccine preventable. Travellers should ensure that they have completed the national schedule of vaccines for life in the UK. 

This means that by the mid teens, 5 doses of vaccine giving protection against diphtheria should have been received.

A vaccine is available to protect adults against diphtheria. This is a combination vaccine and also protects against tetanus and polio

VACCINE DOSAGE:

A single injection.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

2 weeks before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

10 Years

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Hepatitis A

This an infection spread mainly through food and water, but also from person to person, that affects the liver. Symptoms include mild fever, gastro-intestinal upset, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Jaundice may also occur.

Vaccination against hepatitis A is available for all MSM, regardless of whether they are travelling to or going to reside in areas of high or intermediate risk.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver. It is caused by a virus that is spread through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids.

You should consider being vaccinated against hepatitis B if you will be visiting countries where the hepatitis B virus is common; and if your planned activities mean you might be high risk of exposure to the virus.

VACCINE DOSAGE - 

Hepatitis A:

Two doses at 0 and 6 months.

Hepatitis B:

Recommended schedules of vaccines are age and brand specific. Our pharmacist will advise you.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

Hepatitis A:

2 weeks before travel

Hepatitis B:

Recommended schedules of vaccines are age and brand specific. Our pharmacist will advise you.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

Hepatitis A:

Hepatitis B:

GENERAL INFORMATION

Malaria can have a life-changing impact on your health and can be fatal in some instances.

For some countries where malaria is a problem, tablets to prevent malaria (antimalarials) are recommended. 

It is important to avoid being bitten as well as taking antimalarial tablets; no antimalarial tablets are 100% effective.

There are a range of different antimalarial tablets available, the particular choice depends on a number of factors including destination. how they are taken, age, weight and side effects; our travel health pharmacist can advise you on the most appropriate choice for you.

SYMPTOMS

Muscle pains, headache and vomiting., fatigue, abdominal pain, Fever,

MALARIA PREVENTION

Doxycycline, 100mg

Start 1–2 days before entering endemic area and continue for 4 weeks after leaving (see notes above), adult and child over 12 years, 100 mg once daily.

Atovaquone/proguanil

Start 1–2 days before entering endemic area and continue for 1 week after leaving, adult and child over 40 kg, 1 tablet daily

Atovaquone/proguanil for children ("Malarone Paediatric")

Start 1–2 days before entering endemic area and continue for 1 week after leaving, Dose is adjusted according to childs weight. Body-weight over 40 kg use Malarone® (‘standard’) tablets

Lariam/Mefloquine

Start 2½ weeks before entering endemic area and continue for 4 weeks after leaving (see notes above), adult and child body-weight over 45 kg, 250 mg once weekly; Children - dose is weight dependent.

Preventing infection

• Medication can help to protect you (NOT 100% effective so take additional precautions)
• Use insect repellents containing DEET
• Spray bedrooms where possible
• Cover-up to minimise mosquito bites - long sleeve tops, hats and sleeping nets.

Note information above is for guidance only, speak to our pharmacist for advice specific to you

HPV is a  term applied to a family of virus that has  over 200 types, the majority of which are harmless. 

However some are more serious and can cause certain types of cancer (including cervical and cancers of the neck, head and penis though these are less common), as well as genital warts. 

We provide vaccination to help protect against the virus.

Speak to our pharmacist for further advice or to book an appointment

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Japanese encephalitis is an infection spread through mosquito bites. It can cause headache, convulsions, encephalitis and meningitis. 

Most people will have a mild illness with no or few symptoms but for those with severe disease around 30% can develop permanent neurological problems and around 30% will die from the disease.

VACCINE DOSAGE:

Two doses at 0 and 28 days. Vaccine effective 7 days after 2nd dose.

There is also a rapid course available which is administered on day 0 and day 7 

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

6 weeks before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

1 year

GENERAL INFORMATION:

This vaccine is required for pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah. A certificate which we can provide,  is required to enter the country for pilgrimage.  

For travellers, UK authorities recommend the use of the conjugate vaccine.

Our pharmacist can advise on the most suitable vaccine for you and your family

VACCINE DOSAGE:

A single dose.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

2-3 weeks before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

5 years

Meningitis is a serious infection caused by bacteria or a virus. It can cause the brain lining and spinal cord to become inflamed. 

Bacterial meningitis can cause brain damage, deafness, blindness, epilepsy, blood poisoning  and can even be fatal. 

No vaccine is 100 percent effective but you can get vaccinated  to help protect against the main strains of meningitis.

The NHS offers a MenB vaccination as part of the routine childhood immunisations programme.

Meningitis B was added to the programme in 2015. Those born before 1 July 2015 and  fall outside of the NHS age range can consider having the vaccination privately at our travel clinic.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Polio is spread mainly through person to person contact (faecal-oral route) that can cause fever and lead to meningitis and paralysis.

Children normally receive polio vaccinations as part of the national schedule. Travellers should ensure that they have had a primary course of vaccine and receive a booster every 10 years if they are travelling to an area where diphtheria, tetanus or polio are considered high risk.

There may be additional vaccination and sometimes certificate requirements for travellers to endemic countries or countries reporting outbreaks.

A combination vaccine called Revaxis is available to protect adults against diphtheria, tetanus and polio. 

VACCINE DOSAGE:

A single injection.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

2 weeks before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

10 Years

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Symptoms start with headache, fever, general weakness and numbness or tingling around the wound site. The disease progresses to muscle spasms, hydrophobia (fear of water) and convulsions. 

Once symptoms of rabies develop, the infection is fatal. Human cases are usually due to dog bites but many animals can be infected, and a scratch or lick may be sufficient to transmite the disease. 

The time from a rabies exposure to developing symptoms of rabies is usually between 20-60 days but may range from 5 days to 1 year. 

VACCINE DOSAGE:

Three doses at 0, 7 and 28 days.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

1 month before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

5 years (2 years if high risk)

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Tetanus toxin spreads through the bloodstream and can cause serious damage to the nervous system. Early symptoms of the disease include stiffness of the jaw muscles (lockjaw), difficulties swallowing and muscle spasms. 

The disease can spread to affect more muscles in the body including the respiratory muscles. This can cause difficulties with breathing and death can occur if untreated.

Tetanus is included in the UK as part of the national schedule where 5 doses are given in childhood including a booster dose for teenagers.

Travellers should ensure that they have had a full primary course of vaccine and receive a booster every 10 years if they are travelling to an area where diphtheria, tetanus or polio are considered high risk and where access to post exposure treatment may be difficult.

A combination vaccine is available to protect adults against diphtheria, tetanus and polio.  

VACCINE DOSAGE:

A single injection.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

2 weeks before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

10 Years

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Tick-borne encephalitis is spread through tick bites and can cause a flu-like illness, fever and headache or lead to meningitis and/or brain inflammation.

Most infections cause no symptoms. When symptoms do develop fever and a flu-like illness is followed by 2 -10 days of no symptoms, before inflammation of the central nervous system occurs with fever, headache and signs of meningitis and/or brain inflammation. 

Severe disease can cause permanent neurological damage including behavioural/mood changes and reduced concentration. About 1 in 100 patients will die from TBE.

VACCINE DOSAGE:

3 doses at 0, 1 and 6 months.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

3 months before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

3 years

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Typhoid causes systemic infection which may present as fever, headache, confusion and vague abdominal pain. Constipation is common in adults. 

Typhoid vaccines do not confer complete protection so preventative measures as above are very important even when fully vaccinated.

The protection comes in the form of a vaccine or oral window capsule. 

The vaccines offer some protection for three years, but do not protect against para-typhoid fever. Typhoid vaccines do not confer complete protection so preventative measures are very important even when fully vaccinated.

VACCINE DOSAGE:

A single dose by injection.

WHEN DO I NEED TO GET VACCINATED

2 weeks before travel

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

3 years