South Pacific – Leptospirosis
Dr Colleen Lau Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is often misdiagnosed as dengue because symptoms can be very similar. The bacteria are carried by animals (including rodents, pets, livestock, and wildlife), and excreted in their urine. Humans can become infected by direct contact with animals, or contact with water and soil that has been […]
Island Hopping in the South Pacific
Dr Colleen Lau is one of the founding travel doctors of the TMA Perth Clinic, and also works at the TMA Brisbane Clinic. Over the past 3 years, she has travelled around the South Pacific for tropical medicine research projects and consultancies, and has just completed a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology at the University […]
Travel Right, Travel Light
… Provided by Dr Joan Chamberlain, TMA member Rockhampton Often people put a lot of time into their itinerary and flights but forget about pre travel advice and preparation. Also forgotten at times is consideration to your luggage and packing. Consideration should be given to your destination, activities, length of flight and luggage requirements. 1. […]
Melatonin And Jet Lag
Melatonin is the hormone of darkness – a hormone from the pineal gland in the brain which controls the body’s internal clock. Melatonin levels increase when it is dark outside and this causes you to feel sleepy. A great deal of research is being undertaken on melatonin to clarify its role in treatment of jetlag. […]
Europe – Tick Encephalitis
Recently a US family have been awarded $41.7 million in compensation for their daughter catching Tick Encephalitis on a school trip to China. More info. The disease is quite rare in China but is not uncommon in Europe. Most Australians have never heard of this disease! Tick Borne Encephalitis is a serious disease carried by […]
A Dental Experience In Thailand
Surrey Hills Senior Clinic Receptionist I decided to research dental treatment in Thailand after being quoted on a (costly) treatment plan by my Australian dentist. A colleague who had previously had dental treatment in Thailand, and my brother-in-law who lives part of the year there, encouraged me and reassured me that the high end […]
Volubilis, Morocco
Prepared by Dr Deb Mills – TMA member Brisbane Volubilis is a partly excavated Roman ruin in northern Morocco. Built in a fertile agricultural area, it was developed from the 3rd century BC onwards as a Phoenician/Carthaginian settlement. It grew rapidly under Roman rule from the 1st century AD onwards and expanded to cover an area […]
Egypt – Hot air balloon disaster
We are all saddened by the tragic story of the 19 tourists killed in Egypt after their balloon flight went horribly wrong.WHO reports Tourists are 10 times more likely to die as the result of an injury than from an infectious disease ; injuries cause 23% of tourist deaths compared with only 2% caused by […]
Hangover Cures – Do They Work?
Dr Deb Mills – Brisbane TMA Member In about 4000BC, agriculture started, some say to make Beer as well as food. They don’t call it inTOXicated for nothing … those enjoyable drinks also contain cell poisons that can affect all body systems for up to 72 hours. Even after your alcohol has fallen to zero, there […]
Working as an Educator in Tanzania
… Prepared by Travel Medicine Alliance Member, St Kilda Road, Melbourne Jacinta Bongiorno has worked as a practice nurse at St Kilda Rd Travel Medicine for 18 months. Prior to commencing her position at St Kilda Rd, Jacinta worked as an educator in Tanzania, which she found extremely rewarding. Although she enjoyed her time working for the […]