Doc Alan
20th October 2012, 09:44
MOST visits to the Philippines are trouble-free, especially for those who have prepared well, sought advice from their doctor / travel health clinic 6-8 weeks before travel, and made sure of comprehensive insurance. There are several helpful websites ( www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk , www.fco.gov.uk/travel, http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/asia/philippines.shtml )
and a checklist here (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/33885-Health-checklist-before-travel-to-Philippines ) .
• This thread is not about falling ill IN the Philippines. If you’re unfortunate enough for that to happen, you will either self-treat for minor conditions or be covered by your insurance policy.
• The insurance does need to be fully comprehensive for your needs – pre-existing illnesses need to be declared ; dangerous sports ( such as diving ) may not be covered ; not having taken recommended vaccinations / medication may invalidate claims.
• It concerns falling ill – soon, or within weeks - AFTER returning to the UK, maybe in apparently good health. This MAY be nothing to do with where you’ve been, but a new illness or recurrence of a previously diagnosed illness. It could also be jet lag ( self-limiting ) or a cold – or, more seriously, deep vein thrombosis ( leg pain / swelling ) and pulmonary embolism or ‘flu ( chest pain, breathlessness ). Persisting tiredness could be due to anaemia ( which has many causes including malaria ); or mild depression from the reality of life / work in the UK, perhaps without your partner.
• It’s impossible to be comprehensive in one thread, or to give links for every condition. Much of this is common sense, so forgive me if you already know it !
• ANY traveller returning to the UK who has or develops a fever or other signs and symptoms should of course attend their doctor.
• Tell the doctor all your symptoms, where you’ve been, including stopovers, and ( if it’s not your usual doctor, and you can remember ) your vaccination record.
• Early symptoms of mild, self-limiting infections, and serious infections can be the same.
• It could be “ traveller’s diarrhoea “ - common, with several causes, mostly not serious ( http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travellersdiarrhoea/Pages/Introduction.aspx ). If it starts, or continues, after you have returned to UK, it COULD be one of several serious conditions such as typhoid ( if not vaccinated ), or amoebic dysentery.
• Dengue is common in the Philippines and there is as yet no vaccine available nor specific treatment. Several hundred cases are now diagnosed each year in travellers returning to the UK ( not just from Philippines ). It's not spread from person to person.
• Malaria is not common in the Philippines, but needs diagnosis and correct treatment ( free on the NHS ). A history of taking anti-malarial tablets does NOT exclude the diagnosis. About 2000 cases are now diagnosed each year in travellers returning to the UK ( not just from Philippines ).
• Sexually transmitted diseases – including HIV ( rarely diagnosed in the Philippines ) – may present with a fever among other symptoms. I’m making no judgements here – medical consultation is confidential, as of course are “ Special Clinics “ at NHS hospitals.
• Tuberculosis is possible ( but unlikely in previously healthy individuals ), as are less serious chest infections – there may be no symptoms for weeks after return to the UK.
• Rabies always kills if untreated. Management is different depending on whether or not vaccination has already been given, but should be considered whenever there has been an attack by an animal ( usually a dog ) even if there is no direct evidence the animal had rabies.
• Signs such as jaundice - which no one would ignore - have many possible causes ( viral hepatitis, malaria, dengue, typhoid ).
• Likewise, fever is not specific. Malaria and typhoid may take several weeks to “ incubate “ ; hepatitis, rabies, and tuberculosis may be over 6 weeks. There may be other signs, helpful for diagnosis – especially chest and nervous system.
• “ Common illnesses occur commonly “ ! What would your doctor know about unusual tropical diseases ?
Most of us will never need it, but the UK has much available expertise. After discussion with local microbiology, virology or infectious disease consultants, the doctor may contact the Imported Fever Service of the Health Protection Agency (
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1317133839448
), and establishments with international reputations ( London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine ).
• Advice, diagnosis and treatment is mostly free in the UK - one good reason to be cheerful :smile: !
and a checklist here (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/33885-Health-checklist-before-travel-to-Philippines ) .
• This thread is not about falling ill IN the Philippines. If you’re unfortunate enough for that to happen, you will either self-treat for minor conditions or be covered by your insurance policy.
• The insurance does need to be fully comprehensive for your needs – pre-existing illnesses need to be declared ; dangerous sports ( such as diving ) may not be covered ; not having taken recommended vaccinations / medication may invalidate claims.
• It concerns falling ill – soon, or within weeks - AFTER returning to the UK, maybe in apparently good health. This MAY be nothing to do with where you’ve been, but a new illness or recurrence of a previously diagnosed illness. It could also be jet lag ( self-limiting ) or a cold – or, more seriously, deep vein thrombosis ( leg pain / swelling ) and pulmonary embolism or ‘flu ( chest pain, breathlessness ). Persisting tiredness could be due to anaemia ( which has many causes including malaria ); or mild depression from the reality of life / work in the UK, perhaps without your partner.
• It’s impossible to be comprehensive in one thread, or to give links for every condition. Much of this is common sense, so forgive me if you already know it !
• ANY traveller returning to the UK who has or develops a fever or other signs and symptoms should of course attend their doctor.
• Tell the doctor all your symptoms, where you’ve been, including stopovers, and ( if it’s not your usual doctor, and you can remember ) your vaccination record.
• Early symptoms of mild, self-limiting infections, and serious infections can be the same.
• It could be “ traveller’s diarrhoea “ - common, with several causes, mostly not serious ( http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travellersdiarrhoea/Pages/Introduction.aspx ). If it starts, or continues, after you have returned to UK, it COULD be one of several serious conditions such as typhoid ( if not vaccinated ), or amoebic dysentery.
• Dengue is common in the Philippines and there is as yet no vaccine available nor specific treatment. Several hundred cases are now diagnosed each year in travellers returning to the UK ( not just from Philippines ). It's not spread from person to person.
• Malaria is not common in the Philippines, but needs diagnosis and correct treatment ( free on the NHS ). A history of taking anti-malarial tablets does NOT exclude the diagnosis. About 2000 cases are now diagnosed each year in travellers returning to the UK ( not just from Philippines ).
• Sexually transmitted diseases – including HIV ( rarely diagnosed in the Philippines ) – may present with a fever among other symptoms. I’m making no judgements here – medical consultation is confidential, as of course are “ Special Clinics “ at NHS hospitals.
• Tuberculosis is possible ( but unlikely in previously healthy individuals ), as are less serious chest infections – there may be no symptoms for weeks after return to the UK.
• Rabies always kills if untreated. Management is different depending on whether or not vaccination has already been given, but should be considered whenever there has been an attack by an animal ( usually a dog ) even if there is no direct evidence the animal had rabies.
• Signs such as jaundice - which no one would ignore - have many possible causes ( viral hepatitis, malaria, dengue, typhoid ).
• Likewise, fever is not specific. Malaria and typhoid may take several weeks to “ incubate “ ; hepatitis, rabies, and tuberculosis may be over 6 weeks. There may be other signs, helpful for diagnosis – especially chest and nervous system.
• “ Common illnesses occur commonly “ ! What would your doctor know about unusual tropical diseases ?
Most of us will never need it, but the UK has much available expertise. After discussion with local microbiology, virology or infectious disease consultants, the doctor may contact the Imported Fever Service of the Health Protection Agency (
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1317133839448
), and establishments with international reputations ( London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine ).
• Advice, diagnosis and treatment is mostly free in the UK - one good reason to be cheerful :smile: !