Thorn Tree travel forum

Swine flu

US CDC now has a page on Swine Influenza (Flu), including current Health Advisories.Recommendations will help travelers reduce risk of infection and stay healthy.

This is a thread for discussing the current outbreak of swine influenza. Travelers and locals are invited to post updates and other relevant information

travelling with bipolar disorder

Hi,

My husband was diagnosed with bipolar disorder earlier this year. We've been together for about 8 years and have always enjoyed travelling together, and have travelled and worked in several countries over the years, including the developing world. It's something we'd hoped to do again at some point, but now we're not sure how it would work as travel insurance seems to be a big issue. Is there anyone out there who has been able to get travel insurance with bipolar disorder? We're based in NZ, so if anyone knows any insurance providers in NZ who might provide insurance, that would be even better. Thanks very much.

Warm face but cold nose!

Right now I am sitting in front of a radiator, sitting on a heating pad and bundled up in layers of clothing.
My face is so hot that my cheeks and forehead look like I am sun burned, yet my nose is still super cold.
I guess maybe I have a circulation problem in my face? I know my nose is the farthest thing out from my face,
but the temperature difference seems a little extreme. My ears almost never get cold, even uncovered with my
hair completely pulled back. My nose is the first thing to get cold, then my feet, then my hands. I can't blame this on
a cold or flu, because it has been happening for at least a few years. No one else in my family has this issue, and my
nose isn't any larger than anyone else's!

I looked for answers on Web MD. The closest thing I could find was Reynauds, but my fingers do not appear to change color.

If this is a circulation problem, is... more »

dark circles around the eyes

except for the obviosu, simplistic answer "lack of sleep" is there a more elaborate one to the question "what causes dark rings around the eyes"? i wonder cos i know a girl who has the vilest, red-cloggy rings under her eyes.

Bringing medication into Australia

Hi,
I'm totally confused by the Australian govt website's information on what medication can be brought into the country, and what individual travellers have to do to bring controlled or banned medication in, so if anyone has information, I'd be grateful, as I have to come over from the UK for work for 3 months.

1. My UK doctor prescribes co-proxamol for pain relief for when nothing else works. I believe it's related to codeine, which seems to be banned

2. I take seretide asthma medication - it contains steroids and I'm not sure if they're allowed.

3. The only antibiotic that gets rid of my chest infections is Moxifloxacin but it's banned to bring any antibiotics into Oz. Is it prescribed in Oz?

For the above the Govt website it confusing over whether I need to apply for an import permit or whether just a prescription from my doc is enough

many thanks
cheers
G more »

Dermatologist in Sydney?

Hi guys -
Does anyone have a good dermatologist in Sydney? Strange breakout on my face for the past few weeks.
Thanks!

Operation on Thursday- well maybe

After waiting for a year I am now due for an operation for an open mesh repair of a hernia this Thursday and I now have a stinking cold. Is this likely to prevent the operation? The obvious thing to do would be to phone the hospital and ask. The last time I did so, also with a cold, the operation was cancelled apparently by a non qulaified admissions clerk who recorded that I had phoned to cancel the operation. This time I would prefer that it went ahead if possible. Also out of the blue I have a letter advising that I need a CT abdominal scan afterwards. There is no information as to why and I am getting a little fed up with the lack of communication and information. Again any advice please?

I'm in the UK and under the NHS which I generally approve of. The medicine might be good but the lack of communication and delays are not.

Any advice please?

Regards Rory more »

Is it a necessity???

Tomorrow will be the 'official' last day of my MeningoA vaccine for meningitis given to me in 2006. I've had meningitis vaccines prior to that date too - found one given in 1994 and I'm sure there were others prior between 1994 & 2006.

I went to get the prescribed drug from my pharmacy but in France I've discovered that it's now only available in the hospital where I get my Yellow Fever vaccine, 125km away. This hospital only accepts calls for their tropical medicine department on Monday & Thursday mornings now. Rang them on Thursday afternoon & said I just needed the vaccine not an appointment but they wouldn't listen. As I had to drive the 125km yesterday I wanted to pick it up!

So now I'm in a situation where I don't have the vaccine, don't have time to drive there to get it between now & my departure in 2 weeks. My question is - with all the previous vaccines I've had f... more »