Odyssey Travel and Tropical Medicine Clinics

04/15/2024

Here is an excellent episode from "This Podcast Will Kill You" which explores the history and biology of the measles virus. Let epidemiologists / disease ecologists Dr Welsh & Dr Updyke explain the wonders and burdens of this tiny and wildly infectious pathogen. Happy learning!

Download on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Episode 21 Measles: The Worst Souvenir By adminMarch 5, 2019January 9, 2024Season 2 You’ve seen the recent headlines and heard the news reports, but they’re only part of this deadly virus’s story. This week we’re covering the rest. We take you on a one-of-a-kind tour of measles, exploring ho...

04/12/2024

Are you aged 19-25 and living in crowded quarters or traveling? You may be at risk for meningitis associated with Neisseria meningitidis A, B, C, Y or W. Book a consultation to discuss prevention strategies and available vaccines.

03/28/2024

Jet Lag Hacks

Jet lag is a phenomenon experenced by travellers who cross multiple time zones causing fatigue, headache and irritability. This sleep deprivation can have a big impact on health and wellbeing. It can put a damper on even the most exciting travel experiences.

Here are some quick tips for easing jet lag:

✈️ Adjust your sleep pattern: Gradually adjusting your sleep schedule before a long-distance trip can help you reduce the severity of jet lag symptoms. This involves going to bed and waking up slightly earlier or later each day, depending on your destination's time zone. This may help your body acclimate more smoothly.

✈️ Bright light exposure: Exposure to natural light is a key factor in regulating the body's internal clock. Spending time outdoors during daylight hours upon arrival can help synchronize your circadian rhythm with the local time zone, reducing the duration of jet lag. Artificial light therapy, which mimics sunlight, can be used for a specific amount of time when you are meant to be awake. It can be used in advance of travel if you are adjusting your sleep pattern to waking earlier in the day.

✈️ Take a cold shower: If you are arriving early in the day and need to stay awake, hopping into a cold shower increases your circulation and provides a quick energy boost. Exposure to cold is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system and increase blood levels of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline, which may have an anti-depressant effect for some people.

✈️ Have a warm bath: To fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality, take a warm bath or shower in the evening. Immersing your body in warm water aids your temperature regulation, soothes muscle aches, and washes away the germs from your journey.

These tips may help you minimize the effects of sleep deprivation and make the most of your travels. For a deeper dive on this subject, book a pre-travel consultation to review the best strategies for you to manage jet lag on your next trip.

03/23/2024

Spring break is approaching quickly. Are you packed and ready for a beach vacation? While you are packing your sunscreen don't forget to bring your insect repellent too.

As Canadians, we don't think about the need for insect repellent this time of the year but it's an important item to pack for international travel. Insects carry diseases which can make us ill during or after a trip.

Of interest lately is the most common arthropod-borne viral disease in humans: dengue. Commonly found in many popular tourist destinations like the Carribbean and Mexico, dengue is transmitted by the bite from a female A. aegypti or A. albopictus mosquito. They are most active during the daytime - mornings and evenings in particular.

Going to Cancun? There's dengue there. Going to Puerto Rico? There's dengue there. Going to Belize? Dengue transmits there too.

Insect repellents with active ingredients DEET or Icaridin are the gold standard for disease prevention. Pick up a perfect travel size 100ml bottle from Odyssey Travel Clinic before you depart!

02/03/2024

If you are travelling abroad and need a measles vaccine, book a pre-travel consultation. We provide immunization services for all ages and serology to check existing immunity for adults.

02/03/2024

If you are travelling abroad and need a measles vaccine, book a pre-travel consultation. We offer immunization services for all ages and serology to check for existing immunity in adults.

Between high rates of global travel, and low rates of vaccination, Canada is vulnerable to measles outbreaks in Europe and beyond, say medical experts.

11/21/2023

Do you need rabies vaccine for work or travel? Veterinarians, zoo keepers or individuals working with wildlife can be at risk of exposure to the rabies virus through animal saliva. Travellers planning to spend time in countries where rabies is endemic are also at risk of this viral central nervous system disease.

Whether it's work-related or an unintended encounter with a stray animal while on vacation, rabies can suddenly become a major concern. Rabies is 100% fatal if left untreated and it is also 100% preventable with vaccination. Rabies vaccination consists of 3 doses over the course of a few weeks.

At Odyssey Travel Clinic we offer access to rabies immunization services on Thursdays for the 2023/2024 winter season. If you would like more information, please call us at 403-229-2273

11/07/2023

Thank you, Calgary Herald, for shining a light on our organization. Please read the latest article to learn more about the origins of CAWST from our co-founder Camille Dow Baker and CEO Shauna Curry, the biosand filter technology and our latest new funding announcement from USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

If you are interested in giving a gift to support this important work, Order of Canada recipient David O'Brien is currently matching all donations until the end of the year. Your gift has the potential to empower millions. But it starts with the action of just one - you.

Link below

09/05/2023

Do you need a tuberculosis screening test for school, work or for medical reasons?

At Odyssey Travel Clinic, we provide TB skin tests (TST), also called Mantoux or PPD - which is a skin test that requires interpretation 2 to 3 days after placement of the test on your forearm.

TST screens for latent TB, not active TB. We provide you with comprehensive education about your results. In addition, we can issue you a medical clearance letter for your employer, school or family doctor, and for your own lifetime records.

For more information, check out:
http://odysseytravelclinic.com/tuberculosis/

06/22/2023

Ask us about "Buzzy" next time you are getting your shots. We have one of the original models, available anytime you need it! It may help disrupt the sensation of pain at the time of your vaccine injections.

From Psychology Today: "Studies suggest that most children, up to 50 percent of teenagers, and at least 20 to 30 percent of adults have some fear of needles".

Tackle needle fear with Buzzy: https://hubs.la/Q01V799X0.

05/24/2023

Do you want your Gardasil 9 (HPV) vaccine but fall outside the criteria for provincially funded vaccine? If you are over 26 years of age then you may not qualify for free vaccine, however you can access it privately at travel clinics or pharmacies for a cost.

Gardasil 9 vaccine protects against 9 different types of HPV viruses which are spread sexually or skin-to-skin. These HPV infections can lead to ge***al cancers, head & neck cancers and ge***al warts. Infections worth preventing.

Check your health insurance plan to find out if the cost is covered for you. Three doses of vaccine are required for adults, so if you are paying out-of-pocket multiply the cost by 3. If you are 26 years old or younger then call HealthLink at 811 to find out where you can access the vaccine for free.

For a routine immunization review with a Registered Nurse at Odyssey Travel Clinic, call 403-229-2273 to book.

05/19/2023

Happy Family Doctor Day!

Family doctors are the best. A big shout out to our many amazing family physicians here at Richmond Square Medical Centre who work hard to support your health needs. If you are in need of a family physician then check out www.albertafindadoctor.ca