Blog
Feedback on the book, Travelling Well
September 13th, 2013From one of my readers – thanks Sherry. “Dr Deb’s book saved my life (ok, maybe not literally) in Laos in Feb 2012. I had the worst case of food poisoning I’ve ever had in my life, and in the morning, when faced with an 8 hour bus journey on wind-y and bumpy roads, […]
Persistent travellers diarrhoea
September 2nd, 2013Approximately 2-3% of travellers with severe travellers’ diarrhoea will develop persistent diarrhoea – ie symptoms lasting more than four weeks. To get this sorted, it is strongly recommended the sufferer seeks medical attention from a doctor familiar with this condition. The doctor will take a history, make an examination and often order stool and blood […]
Japanese Encephalitis Case from Thailand
August 30th, 2013A recent report of a traveller contracting Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Thailand highlights the fact that ‘rare does not mean never’. This chap had a very common itinerary: Upon arriving in Thailand, he visited Bangkok during two days where he stayed in a hotel. On 28 January he travelled by bus to Surat Thani, and on […]
Yellow Fever Exemption
August 22nd, 2013Many people have recently been ringing our clinic and asking … Is it acceptable to have a medical exemption for yellow fever vaccine instead of the vaccination certificate? Some of our patients have been told by their travel agent that the exemption certificate is not good enough and they must get vaccinated. This is ill […]
5 major parasite infections of humans
August 17th, 2013Most human parasites are, in some fashion, major (important, serious, or significant), to the individual infected. Some human parasites are major or important by virtue of being extremely common, although they are not particularly harmful, e.g. E. vermicularis, which is almost a commensal. Some parasites are major in view of their serious effect on the […]
China – Bird Flu 2013
April 10th, 201315.4.13 Avian Influenza Update As of 15 April, the World Health Organisation ( WHO) reports that a total of 60 cases have been laboratory confirmed with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China, including thirteen deaths. Cases have been reported primarily from Shanghai City (Shanghai Province) with additional cases reported from Chuzhou City (Anhui Province); Nanjing, […]
Thank you to all my supporters
March 27th, 2013Recently I was very honoured to receive.. The Surgeon General John White Medal at a small ceremony from Professor John Pearn. “With congratulations and esteem for all your leadership and service to the specialty discipline of Travel Medicine.” I would like to use this opportunity to thank all those who have helped make this recognition […]
How vaccines changed our world
February 21st, 2013Here is an interesting infographic from an article; How vaccines changed our world .
Norovirus / Viral Gastroenteritis
January 17th, 2013There was a recent story on the 7.30 report about Norovirus. Most particularly about the new strain of Norovirus known as Sydney – because it was first reported here in Australia. This new strain is circulating in the USA and UK. As the name implies this is a virus. Norovirus is notable because it is […]
The Shopping Bags Dilemma
January 2nd, 2013Update On 1st July 2018, Qld will ban light plastic bags We encourage our patients to bring their own bags but meanwhile we will have available Paper bags for purchase for $1. As noted below they are not a great solution. The small medical kit bag only costs $5 so it may be preferable to […]