Iain McIntosh

The Impact of Travel Acquired Illness on the World Traveller and Family Doctor and the Need for Pre-Travel Health Education

This retrospective study involved a 20% quota, age and sex stratified sample of people over 16 years of age, presenting to a group medical practice over a period of one year (N = 1568). A standardised, computer-scored, self-report questionnaire was administered. The response rate was 98.3%. 42% of respondents had travelled outwith the UK in the previous year. Of those, 42% had become ill whilst abroad. In 20.5% of cases the illness settled without treatment. However, 26% of the patients required consultation with a doctor whilst abroad and 48.4% of those becoming ill required further attention from the family doctor on return home. 5% of ill travellers were admitted to hospital abroad. 8% of all travellers did not have medical insurance cover. A large and significant population of travellers become ill whilst abroad, and travel-acquired illness has a large impact on general practice, with 1 in 5 travellers seeking GP consultation on return home. Improved practice-generated pre-travel health advice might decrease this burden on primary care.

A peculiar Scottish disorder

A highly contagious behavioural affliction is now endemic in highland areas of Scotland. Pretravel advice ought to include a health warning to sport-lovers venturing north into wild, highlands of Gaeldom. It particularly affects young adults and predominates in men, although women are affected. The disorder can be acute or chronic and when severe, it can threaten ones life and limbs. Acute attacks may bring spontaneous recovery in months, but the chronic state can last for a life-time. Death will overtake some before it runs its inevitable course.