Comments for Passport Health: Immunizations, Medication & Information http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com Where we share your experiences and other news relating to International Travel Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:38:44 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Thimerosal-free vs. Preservative-free: Is there a Difference? by Rachael http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-70 Rachael Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:38:44 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-70 The difference between eating fish (certain fish are known to have a higher mercery content than others), wearing contacts, and getting a vaccine with mercery based Thimerosal is that the Thimerosal is injected directly into the blood stream. Nice. The difference between eating fish (certain fish are known to have a higher mercery content than others), wearing contacts, and getting a vaccine with mercery based Thimerosal is that the Thimerosal is injected directly into the blood stream. Nice.

]]> Comment on Thimerosal-free vs. Preservative-free: Is there a Difference? by susan http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-68 susan Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:37:32 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-68 I'd appreciate if they will make plently moree of Thim-free flu shots. They know many people want that and still not have enough?? Hope they will make plently to offer for everyone next time!! I’d appreciate if they will make plently moree of Thim-free flu shots. They know many people want that and still not have enough??
Hope they will make plently to offer for everyone next time!!

]]> Comment on Top Ten Health Tips for International Travel by Alan http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/top-ten-health-tips-for-international-travel/#comment-67 Alan Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:21:24 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/?p=52#comment-67 Fantastic advice! I got caught out big time traveling to the USA back in 2001. I was in NJ visiting family and suddenly started getting terrible pain which was later found to be a kidney stone! It cost me thousands in medical costs all because I didn't bother to get travel insurance. I'd suggest to anyone, even if it's just a weekend jaunt - get travel insurance! It's not worth the risk! Fantastic advice! I got caught out big time traveling to the USA back in 2001. I was in NJ visiting family and suddenly started getting terrible pain which was later found to be a kidney stone! It cost me thousands in medical costs all because I didn’t bother to get travel insurance. I’d suggest to anyone, even if it’s just a weekend jaunt – get travel insurance! It’s not worth the risk!

]]> Comment on Thimerosal-free vs. Preservative-free: Is there a Difference? by Joyce Burk http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-65 Joyce Burk Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:19:47 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-65 A few years back I used some contact solution with Thimerosal that gave me burning red eyes. I always am careful to use solution without any "T" in it. Does that mean I would have a reaction if I got the flu shot that was not free from it? A few years back I used some contact solution with Thimerosal that gave me burning red eyes. I always am careful to use solution without any “T” in it. Does that mean I would have a reaction if I got the flu shot that was not free from it?

]]> Comment on About Passport Health by kathy http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/about/#comment-64 kathy Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:25:28 +0000 #comment-64 we have severial foreign exchange students that are plaining on go home to china and brazil and they were woundering about getting a h1n1 vaccination before they go how can they get one and were in minnesota so they do not have to set in quarentine when they get home thanks we have severial foreign exchange students that are plaining on go home to china and brazil and they were woundering about getting a h1n1 vaccination before they go how can they get one and were in minnesota so they do not have to set in quarentine when they get home

thanks

]]> Comment on Thimerosal-free vs. Preservative-free: Is there a Difference? by Stephanie http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-60 Stephanie Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:48:49 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-60 Is thimerosol and mercury the same thing? Is thimerosol and mercury the same thing?

]]> Comment on How can I get the H1N1 vaccine? by passporthealthco http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/how-can-i-get-the-h1n1-vaccine/#comment-59 passporthealthco Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:08:06 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-59 Thank you for your comment, Graham. To answer your question, currently n countries have mandated 2009 H1N1 vaccine prior to travel. However, international travel vaccine requirements may change as the pandemic status changes in the future. The <a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/outbreak-notice/novel-h1n1-flu-global-situation.aspx" rel="nofollow">CDC has published guidelines</a> for international travel during 2009 H1N1 flu outbreaks which directly addresses your question. I will print some of it here: "<strong>Current Situation</strong>: Novel H1N1 flu cases have been reported in many countries around the world, with most of the cases being reported from the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Overall, the numbers of new cases of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico and the United States appears to be declining. However, outbreaks continue to be reported in some communities. In the Southern Hemisphere, the normal flu season typically occurs sometime during April-September, and some countries in the Southern Hemisphere are reporting increasing numbers of cases of novel H1N1 flu. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 alert level means that a global pandemic is underway and that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world. The Phase 6 pandemic alert level is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. <strong>Recommendations for Travel to Areas Reporting Novel H1N1 Flu</strong>: CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of flu discuss their travel plans with their doctor. Together, they should look carefully at the H1N1 flu situation in their destination and the available health-care options in the area. They should discuss their specific health situations and possible increased risk of traveling to the area affected by novel H1N1 flu. Travelers at high risk for complications include: •Children less than 5 years of age •Persons aged 65 years or older •Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection •Pregnant women •Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders •Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV) Healthy people may make travel plans as they normally would and take common sense precautions to protect their health during travel. For more information, feel free to search the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/" rel="nofollow">CDC's H1N1 Flu website</a> as well. Thank you for your comment, Graham. To answer your question, currently n countries have mandated 2009 H1N1 vaccine prior to travel. However, international travel vaccine requirements may change as the pandemic status changes in the future. The CDC has published guidelines for international travel during 2009 H1N1 flu outbreaks which directly addresses your question. I will print some of it here:

“Current Situation: Novel H1N1 flu cases have been reported in many countries around the world, with most of the cases being reported from the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Overall, the numbers of new cases of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico and the United States appears to be declining. However, outbreaks continue to be reported in some communities.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the normal flu season typically occurs sometime during April-September, and some countries in the Southern Hemisphere are reporting increasing numbers of cases of novel H1N1 flu.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 alert level means that a global pandemic is underway and that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world. The Phase 6 pandemic alert level is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.

Recommendations for Travel to Areas Reporting Novel H1N1 Flu: CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of flu discuss their travel plans with their doctor. Together, they should look carefully at the H1N1 flu situation in their destination and the available health-care options in the area. They should discuss their specific health situations and possible increased risk of traveling to the area affected by novel H1N1 flu.

Travelers at high risk for complications include:

•Children less than 5 years of age
•Persons aged 65 years or older
•Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
•Pregnant women
•Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders
•Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
Healthy people may make travel plans as they normally would and take common sense precautions to protect their health during travel.

For more information, feel free to search the CDC’s H1N1 Flu website as well.

]]> Comment on Thimerosal-free vs. Preservative-free: Is there a Difference? by passporthealthco http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-58 passporthealthco Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:08:47 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-58 Hi Vickie, One <a href="http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/4421665/claims.html" rel="nofollow">patent document</a> I saw for contact solution mentioned that there was apprximately 0.0005-0.7% weight from thimerosal in the solution. The variance for those figures depend on the size of bottle being used. However, every brand of contact solution is different, so you should contact the manufacturer of the specific brand you use to get the amount of thimerasol used in it. Thank you for your comment! Holly Brown, Office Manager Hi Vickie,
One patent document I saw for contact solution mentioned that there was apprximately 0.0005-0.7% weight from thimerosal in the solution. The variance for those figures depend on the size of bottle being used. However, every brand of contact solution is different, so you should contact the manufacturer of the specific brand you use to get the amount of thimerasol used in it. Thank you for your comment!
Holly Brown, Office Manager

]]> Comment on How can I get the H1N1 vaccine? by Graham Price http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/how-can-i-get-the-h1n1-vaccine/#comment-57 Graham Price Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:48:33 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-57 Why would world travelers not be classed as high risk as i can see some countries such as China could make vaccination an entry requirement without exception. and the travelers exposure creates oportu ity for cross border transfer and mutations which is what viruses do very well. I do thank you for the info but as above it seems like an isolationary view of the desease. Why would world travelers not be classed as high risk as i can see some countries such as China could make vaccination an entry requirement without exception. and the travelers exposure creates oportu ity for cross border transfer and mutations which is what viruses do very well. I do thank you for the info but as above it seems like an isolationary view of the desease.

]]> Comment on Thimerosal-free vs. Preservative-free: Is there a Difference? by Vickie Wilson http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-56 Vickie Wilson Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:07:17 +0000 http://passporthealthco.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/thimerosal-free-vs-preservative-free-is-there-a-difference/#comment-56 How much Thimerosal is in contact lens cleaners? How much Thimerosal is in contact lens cleaners?

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