Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is secreted in saliva and is commonly transmitted to humans through a bite from an infected animal. Less commonly, rabies can be transmitted when saliva from an infected animal comes into contact with an open cut or wound.

You should seek medical attention for any animal bite and wash the wound vigorously with soap and lots of water. Prompt and appropriate treatment after being bitten and before the disease develops can stop infection and prevent the disease from developing.

The period between infection and the first symptoms (known as the incubation period) can be anywhere from one week to more than a year. The closer the bite is to the head, generally, the shorter the incubation period. Most people first develop symptoms of pain, tingling, itching or shooting from the bite or virus entry site. If the bite is not treated in time, they may experience flu-like symptoms including fevers, chills, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches; and then progress to involve the respiratory, gastrointestinal and/or central nervous system. Gradually, if left untreated, people with rabies will be come extremely ill, developing a variety of symptoms including high fever, confusion, agitation and eventually seizures and coma. The primary cause of death is usually respiratory insufficiency.

Wound cleansing and immunizations, done correctly and as soon as possible, can prevent the onset of rabies in virtually 100% of exposures. Once the signs and symptoms of rabies begin to appear, there is no treatment and the disease is almost always fatal.

For more information view the World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet or discuss with your travel doctor.

All adults and children over 10 years of age will have the vaccine immediately available, with the vaccine available to younger children once registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Click here to find out more information.

The virus is mainly spread through contaminated food or water, especially untreated water supplies.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is most prevalent in developing countries, and it’s important to know that resort level accommodation does not always exclude the risk of infection.

The disease, which is more likely to be fatal in the older traveller, often causes a major disruption for all travellers – cutting short holiday and business travel and/or requiring time (up to months) off work.

Full immunisation requires two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine.

According to the WHO, over 125 million international travellers visit countries endemic with malaria every year.

Malaria is one of the world’s most common and life-threatening diseases. Proper medical intervention in the early stages of infection usually leads to a full recovery.

However, sometimes health care overseas, particularly in developing countries, is not always reliable.

Malaria

Malaria can occur in pockets of many tropical and subtropical countries, it can be resistant to some anti-malarial medications and it is more prevalent at certain times of the year.

Travellers in moderate to high risk areas generally take insect avoidance measures and preventative medications where necessary.

Travel Clinics Australia recommends travellers visit a Travel Clinic if they are visiting a malaria zone, are unsure if they require anti-malarial medication and/or to discuss anti-malarial options and insect avoidance measures.

TCA clinics stock a range of antimalarials medications and insect avoidance products.

Signs and symptoms of malaria may vary and include: fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, hallucinations and convulsions.

Travel health information and advice on the internet is not necessarily accurate or to Australian standards. This can lead to confusion and anxiety for the traveller.

Global health conditions and legal requirements frequently change. Only a few information sources are able to keep abreast of new disease outbreaks and treatment. Without up to date, specific information, travellers put their health at risk, possibly spoiling their holiday or worse.

Sometimes the internet focus is on ‘exotic’ diseases, ignoring more routine illnesses such as measles, chicken pox, mumps and influenza which often break out overseas and can be debilitating in themselves.

Travel blogs and travel health sites can miss hand washing, yet personal hygiene is one of the most important factors in preventing traveller’s diarrhoea. Gastro accounts for up to an estimated 80% of illness overseas.

While it is useful to have a general idea of travel health requirements, the best advice is to seek individual advice with a doctor well versed in travel medicine 6 – 8 weeks before leaving Australia.

Experienced Travel Clinic doctors consider many factors when advising travellers of the best way to look after their health overseas.

A client’s general health, age, vaccination history, destination, length of stay, areas visited, time of year, mode of transportation, accommodation and current disease outbreaks and treatment are all carefully taken into consideration.

Advice for a 21 year old backpacking through Vietnam will be vastly different to an asthmatic 55 year old cruising the Pacific Islands.

Guidelines are just that – guidelines. The best travel health advice comes from seeing a doctor who can match the latest travel health information with your specific needs.

Gym Training

Strength training is a crucial factor in losing fat. Not only does it make your body and bones stronger, it also helps to raise your metabolism so you burn more calories all day long.

Strength training is also important for getting your body ready for summer activities like gardening, swimming, golfing, tennis, hiking, bike riding or any number of things we often don’t do in the winter. If you haven’t been exercising this winter, you set yourself up for injury when you jump into summer sports with little preparation. Even a simple total body workout twice a week can help you get strong, even better is a sports specific program.

The physiotherapists at the East Perth Medical Centre can assist you by designing an appropriate exercise regime, giving advice on your gym program and by educating and supervising you at the appropriate levels for your individual needs.

Cardio

Cardio, like weight training, is crucial for losing fat as well as building endurance and making your heart strong for summertime activities. Choose activities you enjoy and make sure you get your heart rate up. If you are unsure as to an appropriate heart rate, ask your physiotherapist.

Workout Tips

1. Scheduling your workouts: Treat them like any important appointment.
2. Keep track of your workouts: Knowing your have to write them down is added motivation.
3. Find someone to workout with: You’ll be more likely to show up.
4. Start at your level: Don’t start too hard too early. Ease into exercise and allow your body time to get into shape.
5. Don’t give up: You may fall off the wagon. If that happens, don’t waste energy kicking yourself. Just get back to your routine and know it happens to all of us.
6. Do things your enjoy: There’s no reason you have to do activities you hate, so find cardio exercises that are accessible and enjoyable for you.

Physiotherapy

Choose a Perth physiotherapist who can recommend exercises that are designed specifically for you to achieve your desired level of fitness. The more you repeat and become aware of an activity, the easier it becomes. At the East Perth Medical Centre we look at types of exercises/activities, specific workloads, durations of activities/sessions and intensity guidelines and can devise a plan to help you achieve your target fitness level and get your body ready for activity this summer!

How to Prevent Sport Injuries

• Use correct warm up and warm down procedures.
• Wear protective strapping or bracing.
• Choose appropriate footwear and clothing.
• Specific conditioning for your particular sport.
• Have good aerobic fitness.
• Have good muscle control and reactions.

If you do sustain a sport injury, we recommend seeing a qualified physiotherapist as soon as possible to commence treatment for your injury.

Most sporting injuries are a result of a direct blog (bruise or contusion) or an indirect force like a twist (sprains, strains, tears). Some injuries are due to over use stresses (tendinitis, stress fractures).

One of the main things you can do to prevent yourself from getting any injuries is to warm up before you start playing the game. It is not a good idea to start exercising, or playing the game without warming up first. Warming up is very important because it helps get your body ready for activity. Warm ups include doing things such as taking a light jog to get loosened up and perhaps actively stretching important muscles. Warming up prepares your muscles for exercise and increases your blood flow and muscle temperature. That way, your body is ready to go and it is less likely to get hurt.

Preventing Sport Injuries

If you are really into sports, it might be tempting for you to jump right back into activity even after an injury. Playing if you are hurt or before an injury is fully healed is a bad idea. It can lead to an even worse injury, which will keep your from being active for even longer.

Before you can safely return to your sport it is essential to regain strength, mobility, balance and co-ordination. Your physiotherapist will assess these areas and show you how to improve them.

The physiotherapists at the East Perth Medical Centre are highly qualified and trained in the assessment and treatment of sports injuries. As they have comprehensive knowledge of biomechanics, tissue injury and healing, many physiotherapists are appointed to sports teams to monitor the rehabilitation of injured players and assist with preventing injuries.

Dr G M (Mike) Galvin BSc MB BS DTM&H FACEM

Dr Mike Galvin graduated from the University of WA with degrees in Science and Medicine. Following a residency in Perth he served in Australian Defence Forces as a Medical Officer. During his time with the ADF he served in most Australian states, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, United Kingdom and USA.

While in the USA he underwent advanced training in aerospace medicine and later attended the University of Liverpool where he obtained the Diploma of Tropical Medicine.

On leaving the permanent military forces he joined Fremantle Hospital as a Consultant in Emergency Medicine and remained there for 10 years. Since then he has worked in East Timor and in the maritime industry based out of Singapore.

Dr Galvin is also actively involved in the international movement of patients and has travelled to a great many countries as diverse as Latvia, Bangladesh and the Philippines as well as providing a regular service from Indonesia.

Dr Galvin has a continuing interest in all aspects of infectious disease; tropical medicine and the aeromedical transfer of patients.

There are a number of ways that you can significantly reduce these risks and visiting a Travel Doctor is a good place to start. The doctor can discuss with you which vaccinations are required or recommended for the area you are travelling to.

However, not all diseases are vaccine preventable and vaccination does not always provide 100% protection. Consequently, precautions need to be taken at all times when travelling. These may include:

• mosquito precautions
• having a suitable first aid kit
• carrying appropriate medications to treat diarrhoea

There is a range of travel related products available at the East Perth Medical Centre to help protect you from travel related illnesses.

Any questions that you have can be discussed with your Doctor during your consultation. You can then relax in the knowledge that you have fully prepared yourself for your trip.

Enjoy your travels!

East Perth Medical Centre
Ph: (08) 9221 4242