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The IGP Travel Clinic & Vaccinations - Tetanus / Diphtheria / Polio
The IGP was the first Private GP Practice in Wales to be Registered with the HIW (Health Inspectorate Wales).
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an infection caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that causes a moderately sore throat. Sometimes the lining of the throat may swell to form "a false membrane" which can cause difficulties in breathing. It is mainly spread by droplets expelled from the nose and mouth usually by breathing in diphtheria bacteria after an infected person has coughed, sneezed or even laughed. It can also be spread by handling used tissues or by drinking from a glass used by an infected person.
Nearly one out of every ten people who get diphtheria will die from it. Most cases occur among unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated people. However, whether or not the patient dies depends on the severity of the illness, their level of immunity and the speed with which treatment is started.
One of the regions where diphtheria is present is eastern Europe, including Russia and the former states of the Soviet Union. Cases of have occurred in Finland, Estonia, Poland and Belarus and even Germany, Belgium and the UK resulting from imported infection.
Diphtheria can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. A vaccine is now available for travellers to provide protection against both diphtheria and tetanus. However, travellers are also advised to avoid close contact with people in crowded places when travelling in endemic regions (particularly kissing and sharing bottles or glasses). Immunisation is very effective and UK children are immunised within their first year. Boosters are required every 10 years for travellers and those at risk.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease which is caused by a bacterial infection. Tetanus can quite easily be contracted through a small wound or scratch, from where the bacteria can enter the body and grow to produce a powerful toxin which circulates in the blood, causing muscular rigidity and painful muscle contractions. Death is usually caused by respiratory problems and exhaustion.
While vaccination has largely diminished the incidence of tetanus, the disease has not disappeared. Tetanus can be found all over the world and so every traveller should fully protect themselves against tetanus. Any type of injury from a simple laceration to a more serious wound can expose the individual to the spores. If individuals are not fully immunised there is always the risk of tetanus developing in wounds contaminated by soil. Immunisation against tetanus is highly protective and adults and children should ensure they are fully up to date with their vaccination program. Booster doses should be administered at ten year intervals.
The combined diphtheria/tetanus or diphtheria/tetanus/polio vaccinations are now normally used when any of these vaccinations are required.
Polio
Poliomyelitis, most commonly referred to as polio and is caused by a virus which is primarily spread through faecal contamination of food and water, although it can also be spread by droplet transfer. Initially, infection of the gut can spread to the spinal cord or brain where it can cause paralysis.
Those travelling to areas of the world where polio still occurs. ie. Nigeria, Niger, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are particularly high risk. The World Health Organisation is making great efforts to encourage widespread use of polio vaccine in an attempt to eradicate polio from all the countries of the world. However, until the disease is certified as eradicated, the risk of acquiring it remains.
Past immunisation from polio does not always give complete protection as there are three strains of the virus and so travellers should ensure they are up to date with their polio immunisation. To ensure further protection try to avoid crowded places in high risk areas as much as possible.
All vaccines administered by The IGP are carried out by fully qualified GPs & unlike some Travel Clinics, we do not charge patients a consultation fee on top of the vaccination price.
To Find out about our Vaccination Costs Please Click Here
* Please be aware that for full immunity some vaccination courses, with more than one vaccine required, may take up to a month or longer. Please, also be aware that many vaccinations will not become fully effective until around 10 - 14 days after the course completion. It is strongly advised that you leave plenty of time to complete the course before your trip. Intervals between different vaccines or doses are recommended, Which allows time for antibodies to be produced and any reaction to the vaccine to subside.
