| Introduction |
| We have decided to make our own medical kit, so that it is completely tailored to our personal needs and requirements. I will be basing the kit on two sites that I have found that have great ideas and extensive lists, TravelPharm and Nomad Travel. Both have specifically tailored kits for different size and types of trips. However neither provide the full range, including all specific items that we are looking to take on the expedition. |
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| Having read so many different web sites for planning this trip, I have noticed that people make two choices either NHS or a private clinic for vaccination advice; such as nomad travel or London Centre for Tropical Diseases (www.thehtd.org). We have personally chosen the NHS route as it is by far the cheapest option, as I have seen private clinic wanting to charge in the range of £750 per person for the vaccinations! |
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| I did try my local doctors and completed their travel form but was told that it was too difficult/ time consuming for them. So I simply phoned the NHS direct helpline on 0845 46 47 and gave them the countries I was visiting and they phoned me back in about 3 hours with the complete list and timings of the vacations. Brilliant service and I would recommend using them or the wwwfit4travel.co.uk website. |
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| The cost involved for us was Rabies £100 for the 3 injection, Hep B £75 for the course of 3 injections and £50 for Yellow Fever. The rest are free on the NHS at our doctors, which makes a total of £225 each compared with £750 which I have seen! But it is all down to personal choice. |
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| First Aid Kit |
| Medicines/ Antibiotics (Augmentin for chest/urine/skin infections, Metronidazole for gut infections, Cold and Flu tablets/sachets) |
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| Dressings (Sterile swabs, Plasters and bandages, Sling, Skin closure Streri strips, Micropore tape) |
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| IV (Needles, Syringes, Sterile gloves) bought as one sterile pack |
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| First Aid tools (Scissors, Tweezers, Thermometer, Dental repair kit from Boots) |
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| Creams and lotion (Antiseptic cream, Steroid cream, Eye wash bath, Blister cream, Bonjela, Deep heat, Antifungal cream for feet, Sun cream, Andrews salts, Tiger balm, Vaseline, Dettol antiseptic wash, Burn dressing and cream, Calamine lotion, Insect repellent and Bite relief) |
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| Diarrhoea Kit (Rehydration sachets and spoon, Imodium, Vit C fizz) |
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| Pain relief (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Aspirin) |
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| Required Injections Before Departure |
| with an expedition crossing three continents there are a number of vaccinations required, therefore we have listed those that at time of writing were recommended for our trip. Please only use this as guidance and seek medical advice for what you will require. |
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| Injections |
| Hepatitis A (2 injections over 6 months and booster at 10 yrs, can be done any time before travelling) Spread through contaminated food or water. |
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| Typhoid (combined with Hepatitis A vaccine, booster needed at 3 yrs, min 2 weeks before travelling) Spread through food or water contaminated with infected faeces |
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| Yellow Fever (1 injection lasting 10yrs and is needed a minimum of 10 days before travelling) For certain countries a certificate of vaccinations of yellow fever is required. |
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| Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio (booster every 10 yrs) Usually one injections now and can be done anytime before departure, the disease is spread through air droplets by close contact. |
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| Rabies (3 injections over 1 month) 4-6 weeks before travelling, recommended for people who are 24hrs away from medical care and those that are at risk for being bitten by an infected mammal. |
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| Meningococcal (meningitis) recommended for travellers |
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| Depending on what you plan on doing while in Africa you may also need: Hepatitis B (3 injections over a six month period for primary immunisation and then a booster every 3 yrs) recommended for people spending long periods of time in endemic areas and those at high risk; doctors, dentist or those where sexual contact or contact with blood may occur. |