Frosts Pharmacy
Marston Oxford

01865 243 824
Opening Times
Mon - Fri: 8.30am - 6.30pm
Sat: 9.00am - 5.30pm
Sun: closed

Frosts Pharmacy
Banbury

01295 272 432
Opening Times
Mon - Fri: 9.00am - 5.30pm
Sat: 9.00am - 1.00pm
Sun: closed

The Walk In Travel Clinic does not always operate in Banbury on Saturdays

Travel Advice

You can find Walk In Travel Clinics within Marston Pharmacy Oxford and Frosts Pharmacy, Banbury.

You can get more information about the countries you are thinking of visiting using the NaTHNaC Travel Health Pro website here then select your destination. Please note we provide a full "one-stop" service including advice and vaccinations with our trained Travel Pharmacist specialists.

Have a safe and healthy trip by following these guidelines:-

Food & Water

Contaminated food and water is the commonest cause of disease when traveling abroad.Help prevent disease by following these steps:-

1) Always wash hands after going to the toilet and before preparing or eating food.

2) Use bottled water (or soft drinks) from sealed bottles or cans.

3) Avoid ice in drinks.

4) If bottled water is unavailable, use purification tablets, or boil before drinking, cleaning teeth or washing food.

5) Eat well cooked fresh food

6) Do not eat leftovers and reheated foods

7) Avoid salads

8) Meat should be well cooked

9) Eat cooked vegetables

10) Only eat fruit you can peel

11) Do not drink unpasteurised milk

12) Avoid ice cream

13) Avoid shellfish

14) Do not buy food from street vendors

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DVT is where a blood clot develops in the deep veins of the legs. This may occur when  a person is immobile on a long haul flight or long coach/car journey.Avoid DVT by following these points:-

1) Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.

2) Get up and walk around as often as possible.

3) Flex and extend your ankles and lower legs to encourage blood flow.

4) Wear compression stockings or flight socks.

Hepatitis B & HIV Infection

To prevent these diseases, the following steps are suggested:-

1) Avoid unprotected sexual contact

2) Avoid tattoos, acupuncture, ear or body piercing and drug abuse

3) Use a sterile medical kit

4) Accept a blood transfusion only if it is essential

5) If you suspect that you may have Hepatitis B/C, HIV or Syphilis, then you can get a home blood test at www.OxfordOnlinePharmacy.co.uk/std-test-and-treatment

Insect Bites

Insect bites can cause dengue fever fever, malaria and yellow fever. To avoid these we recommend:-

1) Covering up particularly at night, as mosquitoes bite from dusk to dawn.

2) Use insect repellents on exposed skin

3) In malaria regions, sleep under a mosquito net

4) Use an electronic insecticide vaporiser in your room

Malaria

Our pharmacist and travel advisor will advise which are the best tablets to take for your destination. Malaria is serious and can be fatal. If you develop flu like symptoms you should seek urgent medical help.

Personal hygiene

Diseases are often caused by the "faecal-oral" route. To avoid this:-

1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water after going to the lavatory, before eating food and before handling food

2) Use an anti-bacterial hand gel

Rabies

Rabies can be fatal if not treated rapidly. To avoid this:-

1) Do not touch any animal including cats and dogs

2) If you are bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin by an animal in a country which has rabies, wash the wound thoroughly for 10-15 minutes, then apply an antiseptic solution of iodine or alcohol

3) If your eyes or mouth have been licked by an animal, wash the area thoroughly

4) Seek medical help

5) A course of Rabies vaccinations before you travel will give you some protection from the virus and also give you 48 hours to get medical treatment

Sun Care

Be safe in the sun by following these guidelines:-

1) Use sun blocks that have a SPF factor of at least 15 and 25 for children under 3. For example SPF 15 sun blocks will protect your skin for 15 times longer and SPF 25, 25 times longer

2) Use sun blocks that contain UVA and UVB protection

3) Babies aged under 6 months should not be exposed to the sun

4) Avoid going into the sun between 11am to 3pm when the suns rays are at their strongest

5) Drink extra fluids when it is hot

6) Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Swimming

It  should be safe to swim in well chlorinated swimming pools. When traveling to Africa, South America, or parts of the Caribbean, avoid swimming in streams, rivers and fresh water lakes, as you can catch Schistosomiasis/Bilharzia, which is a parasitic disease.

It is recommended that you wear protective footwear when on the beach, or walking on sand, soil and particularly wet soil..

Travellers Diarrhoea

This is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated by viruses, bacteria or parasites. You can avoid this by following the guidelines on food, water and personal hygiene. Dehydration is the main problem during the illness. So rehydration tablets or sachets are recommended such as Dioralyte and Electrolade. These tablets should not be used for children aged under 4 and a prescription is required for children aged 4-12. For children Dioralyte Relief may be considered.

You need to seek medical help if you have blood in your stools, a high temperature, become confused, or have diarrhoea for more than 48 hours, or 24 hours for children.

Insurance Cover

1) Ensure that you take out insurance before you travel

2) Insurance should cover any existing medical conditions and include medical repatriation.

3) If traveling in the EU take an up to date EHIC card - this arrangement is ending soon - please consult the FCO website for more information