Posts Tagged ‘Travel Insurance’

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Countdown to London 2012

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
London 2012 travel insurance

As London 2012 approaches, will you be packing your bags and going on holiday during those 2 weeks?

More than one in 10 Brits will be heading abroad during the London Olympics specifically to avoid the sporting event, according to research commissioned by ABTA.

In the poll, 12% said they would be going overseas between July 27 and August 12 to get away from the Games.
The older generation is the least keen to stay in the UK, with 22% of over 65s intending to head overseas to avoid the event, and 18% of 55-64 year olds.

On the other hand, 5 million people are planning to take time off to watch the Games on TV in the comfort of their own homes and around 12.5 million are taking time off work to attend events in or around the Games in London and other Olympic venues around the UK.

Which category do you fall into? Are you dreading the Games and would love to get out of the country? Or are you looking forward to it, and planning some time off, either to watch at home or actually visit some of the venues.

If you are planning to travel abroad during London2012, don’t forget your travel insurance to cover you for your trip!

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Malaria cases soar as travellers neglect pills

Thursday, November 24th, 2011
travel insurance malaria

Jetting off to an exotic location? Have you checked if you need to take precautions for Malaria?

Malaria. It’s a word that we cannot escape thinking about it when planning an exotic holiday – maybe a safari in Kenya or sightseeing in India. The good news is that Malaria is almost completely preventable when the right precautions are taken.

However, according to this article, cases of malaria in people living in Britain has risen by almost a third in two years, with many cases blamed on complacent attitudes to anti-malarial tablets. Figures from the Health Protection Agency show that 1,761 cases were reported last year, compared with 1,495 in 2009 and 1,370 in 2008. Of 997 cases where information was available, 850 involved people who had not taken anti-malaria pills in countries where the disease was prevalent.

Malaria is spread by mosquitoes. Four out of 10 cases in 2010 were among UK residents who had travelled to Nigeria or Ghana and 11% were people who had visited India. 500 million new cases of malaria are reported worldwide each year.

57 countries are registered as ‘malaria-endemic’, with the disease posing a threat to human life. So it is always worth checking if you need to take Malaria precautions before you go on holiday. Remember – if you don’t take the proper precautions, you will not be covered under your travel insurance if you do get ill.

Ok so there is one problem here – it’s well known that malaria medication can sometimes cause side effects, including things like pretty nasty nightmares. So in an ideal world, we could stop the mosquitoes spreading the malaria in the first place. Now, a genetic breakthrough may help us do just that.

Scientists have figured out a way to block the spread of malaria using genetically-modified (GM) mosquitoes that carry malaria-blocking genes that stops the blood parasite (which causes Malaria) being passed to humans when they are bitten.

This new study has shown that it is possible for GM mosquitoes to rapidly pass on malaria-blocking genes to wild mosquitoes with the help of a second gene, called the endonuclease gene.

Professor Andrea Crisanti of Imperial College London said that laboratory experiments have now shown that the endonuclease gene is very effective at spreading through a caged population of mosquito. After introducing a few GM males into the laboratory population of mosquitoes, about 50% of the captive mosquitoes had the anti malaria trait within 12 generations of the first introduction – a period of just a few months.

However, there is a lot more research to be done before field trials (releasing these GM mosquitoes into the wild) can be considered. We will keep you posted when we hear more…

(Don’t forget you can also download the AllClear Travel App to find out what vaccinations you might need for your holiday.)

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Fancy an adventurous holiday in New Zealand?

Monday, September 26th, 2011

So New Zealand is the location of the Rugby World Cup 2011, but there are plenty of other reasons that people visit this country – not least to enjoy the many outdoor pursuits that are available. So we thought that we would devote this blog to the landscape of New Zealand and what is on offer there. Thanks to New Zealand Tourism for a lot of this information.

New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific ocean, between latitude 34′S and 47′S, with mountain ranges down much of its length. There are two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, with a third smaller island in the south, Stewart Island.

New Zealand has a unique landscape and a variety of landforms. In a few days drive, you can see everything from snow-topped mountain ranges to sandy beaches, lush rainforests, glaciers and fiords, and active volcanoes. These environments lend themselves to many outdoor pursuits such as skiing, diving, hiking, kayaking, horse riding and sailing. And there is lots of space to enjoy any of these activities because New Zealand is so uncrowded, with a population of just 4 million people.

But this blog is not just here to rave about the stunning scenery of New Zealand, there is a point to it. And the point is, if you plan on doing any of these more adventurous activities, it is important to check what cover you get, because level and type of cover will vary depending on your travel insurance policy.

For example, with an AllClear policy, you are covered for the following activities, to name just a few:  Archery, Abseiling, Hot Air Ballooning, Canoeing (in calm water), Clay Pigeon Shooting, Fell walking, Horse riding and orienteering. Winter Sports is an additional option that may be added to your policy.

However, there are still basic conditions that are ascribed to this cover depending on the activity you are doing. For example, you may need to be accompanied by, or accessible to a qualified instructor, and taking part in an organised activity or event.So, the take home message here is this: Check what activities you are covered for before you go on holiday somewhere like New Zealand, particularly if you are thinking of trying something a little out of the ordinary while you are there. If you are not sure, ask the insurance provider, they should be able to help you…

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Exercise a ‘super drug’ for cancer survivors that can stop disease returning

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
travelling with cancer

Moderate excercise, such as badminton, can help in cancer recovery

 

Exercise is a ‘wonder drug’ for cancer survivors and may prevent the disease returning, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.  Physical activity could also benefit those undergoing treatment for cancer. Macmillan say doctors should prescribe exercise rather than telling patients to rest.

A review of more than 60 studies for the charity found that being active during treatment does not worsen fatigue and has positive effects on mood and wellbeing.

Once treatment has finished, exercise can reduce the impact of side effects, such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, impaired mobility and weight changes.

The research also showed exercise has an impact on preventing recurrence of a few specific cancers. For example, women with breast cancer who exercise for 150 minutes a week at moderate intensity have a 40% lower risk of recurrence  of disease compared to women  who are active for less than one hour a week.

Moderate exercise includes very brisk walking, heavy cleaning – such as washing windows, vacuuming and mopping – mowing the lawn, cycling and badminton.

Macmillan Cancer Support found that more than half of GPs, practice nurses, oncologists and cancer nurses did not speak to their patients about the possible benefits of exercise, or only spoke to a few of them.

We decided to think about what this means for travel. If you are recovering from cancer, in between treatments, or your cancer is in remission, a holiday can be just what you need to recharge the batteries. But, based on this research, you may want to think more about what kind of holiday you should go on, as a more activity based holiday could actually aid in recovery. For example, could you consider going on a walking holiday, or somewhere where you could hire a bike while you are away? You should discuss any travel plans with your doctor though, and our travelling with cancer tips may help with your decision too.

One more point is obviously to make sure that you have cancer travel insurance cover in case of any problems while you are away.

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Travel to the Rugby World Cup

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
long haul flights

Are you lucky enough to be travelling to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand?

The Rugby World Cup is being held in New Zealand this year. It would be an amazing experience to be there. Are you are lucky enough to be going to the World Cup, rather than simply watching on television? There is one problem though – the distance you will be travelling to get to the World Cup could raise some particular travel health considerations.

So if you are travelling to the World Cup in New Zealand, or indeed have any long haul flight coming up, here are some tips for you to make flying healthier and less stressful.

  • Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance. Long haul flights are expensive and you will want to make sure you are covered in case anything goes wrong.
  • Wear loose fitting clothes for ultimate comfort.
  • Dress in layers so you will be ready for variations in temperature. You don’t want to be sitting freezing on the plane, but you don’t want to be boiling hot either.
  • Bring your own neck pillow to give you added comfort.
  • Consider a seat with extra leg room. Wherever possible, check in online and select your seat before you travel, consulting www.seatplans.com beforehand to see where the best place to sit is. Then, when you’re actually flying, be sure to walk and stretch frequently.
  • Airline travellers are more likely to catch a little case of the sniffles. Take added Vitamin C beforehand to try and boost your immune system. Use a hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes to wipe down your seat if you can. Check out this blog for more ways to keep those plane germs at bay.
  • Apply moisturising lotion to your hands and face to avoid the problem of dry skin.
  • Jetlag occurs when our normal body clock is disrupted by travelling through time zones.  It is more apparent when travelling from west to east as the body finds it more difficult to adapt to a shorter day than a longer one.  The body clock is conditioned to respond to a regular rhythm of daylight and darkness. When travelling across time zones it effectively becomes out of sync, experiencing daylight at what it considers the wrong time. The body’s natural pattern for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation and temperature is upset and cannot immediately realign its usual rhythms; it is jetlagged.Â
    • Take a second watch/travel clock set to your home time. This will help remind you of when you should be sleeping or awake.
    • Adjust your sleep pattern: Try and rest well before you travel. For a few days prior to your trip, adjust your sleep pattern by 1 or 2 hours to be closer to your destination time zone.
    • Remember a sleep mask may help if you struggle sleeping on the plane. Sleep if you would be sleeping at home, and vice versa.
    • If possible, schedule your flight so that you arrive at your destination in the evening and go straight to bed.
    • If possible include a stop over in your journey.
    • If you take regular medication ensure you tell your GP prior to your departure that you shall be crossing time zones.  He/she will advise you how to adjust your dosage if necessary.
    • Dehydration can worsen the effects of jet lag.  Avoid alcohol and keep your fluid intake up by drinking plenty of juice or water. Drink water as soon as possible after landing to replenish your body’s supply  
    •  It takes some time to recover each time zone crossed, so take it easy when you arrive.

These tips should help you be a happy, healthy passenger on a long haul flight. The important thing to remember is that once that long plane journey is finished, you then have that lovely holiday to look forward to! If you are lucky enough to be on a long haul flight to the Rugby World Cup, do let us know your experiences…

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Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
raising awareness lymphatic cancer

Raising awareness of lymphatic cancer from 12th to 18th September

This week (12th to 18th September) is Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of lymphoma and fundraise for this important work. We checked out the Lymphoma Association website, and there are still a number of ways that you can help and get involved…

We have picked out just a few ideas here:

Tell people online – If you are on Twitter, you could tweet: ‘This week is #Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week, which raises awareness of the UK’s fifth most common cancer. http://www.lymphomas25.org.uk/lymphatic-cancer-awareness-week-2011

Text Giving – You can support Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week by texting LCAW11 and the amount you would like to donate (e.g. LCAW11 £5) to 70070. The Lymphoma Association will receive the whole amount.

Here at AllClear we support Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week. We know that if you have lymphatic cancer, then a holiday can be a great way to recharge the batteries, or aid in recovery. So we have collected the following tips for people with lymphatic cancer who either have a holiday planned, or want to plan one in the future (Thanks to the Lymphoma Association for a lot of this information).

Here are our tips on travelling with lymphatic cancer:

  • Planning: What type of medical facilities are there at your destination? Could you get medication if you needed it? Talk everything through with your doctor – they might be able to recommend a colleague in the local area who you can speak to if you need to.
  • Travel Insurance: Make sure you get specialist travel insurance that covers your cancer, in case you need any medical treatment while you are away.
  • Lymphatic cancer Medication: Take enough medication for your trip, plus extras. Some medications are not readily available in other countries, so it is worthwhile to check out beforehand what you should do if your supply gets low.
    • Keep all medications in their original containers with labels. Prescription bottles should have your name, and the name and dosage of the cancer medication clearly indicated.
    • Consider carrying a note from your doctor with a list of your required medications on it to prove that you need them. This is especially important for pain medications, antidepressants, and stimulants that may be illegal in other countries.
    • Carry all your medications in a re-sealable plastic bag to prevent spills. If you are traveling with chemotherapy or injectable medications, this is particularly important.
    • Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to handle your medications if you will be traveling to a different time zone.
    • If you need syringes for your medications, make sure you bring enough for your entire trip, as well as a note from your doctor explaining why you need them.
  • Infection: If you have active lymphoma, you may be more prone to infection because of the impact of the disease on the immune System. This is particularly true if you  are currently receiving chemotherapy or steroids. You can greatly reduce the risk of infectious disease by attention to simple hygiene. For example, wash hands thoroughly; buy all drinking water in sealed bottles and do not have ice if you are unsure of the water source
  • Vaccines: Some vaccines are not recommended for people with lymphoma because the vaccine contains live organisms (a small weakened version of the disease-causing organism, causing an immune reaction so the person is protected in the future) . Consider this when deciding your destination. Here are some examples, but you would need to check with your doctor for your individual circumstances.

1. Polio Vaccine – the inactivated vaccine is suitable for people with lymphoma

2. Meningitis Vaccine – people who have had their spleen removed are at particular risk of contracting meningitis

3. Yellow fever vaccine – for certain countries in Africa and South America. Since it should not be given to people with lymphoma, it may restrict your ability to travel to such countries.

4. If necessary, make sure you are protected against mosquito bites. If you are need to take malaria tablets, check with your GP that  that anti-malaria tablets recommended would not result in any chemotherapy treatment or other medication for your lymphoma.

If you have any other useful tips on travelling with lymphatic cancer, do please add them to the comments box below.

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AllClear employee, Garry Nelson and his epic charity cycling challenge

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

In this blog, we just wanted to let you know about  the upcoming adventure of one of our very own AllClear staff, Garry Nelson. A former Southend United Player, his challenge is to cycle from Southend in Scotland (Mull of Kintyre) to Southend-on-Sea in Essex, a distance of 650 miles starting on October 1st and culminating on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on Saturday 8th October. The 650 miles are being attempted in just 8 days which means, on average, 80 miles a day!

AllClear employee charity fundraising

Garry Nelson from AllClear and his cycling challenge for charity

But Garry is not just doing this cycle ride for the fun of it. Garry, and the rest of the team, are aiming to raise £20k for 2 charities:

The Willow Foundation, founded by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson,  provides morale-boosting special days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds and gives much needed time out from the stresses of living with a life-threatening condition.

AllClear will also be fundraising for this charity with our annual Golf Day in September (in partnership with our sister company LeisureLinkGolf).

A local Charity called Havens Hospices (which incorporates Fair Havens and Little Havens). It is a Charity which provides end-of-life care for both adults and children. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and no patient is charged for the care they receive.  This could not continue without kind donations as it costs £5.1 million each year to keep the hospices open.

Garry first became aware of the specialist care hospices provide when his mum, Elsie, was cared for by Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff, Southend.

So Garry’s cycling challenge is all for a very good cause, and all of us at AllClear wish Garry luck, and hope it is not too painful! You can show your support for Garry and the rest of the team here http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/CycleSouthend2Southend.

We will keep you updated in October, when the challenge takes place…You can also follow the team’s progress on Facebook by searching for Southend 2 Southend Charity Bike Ride.

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Have you got the BBQ Blues?

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Ok, so the UK weather has been typically temperamental so far this year. We have had some lovely, long hot days, but also more than our fair share of rain. With the school summer holidays now upon us, the question is, will there be lots more sunshine to enjoy?

 Given the ups and downs of the weather then, it is quite surprising then that many Brits are postponing their summer holidays until the Autumn, because they don’t want to miss sunny weather at home, according to this travel agents survey. (although to be fair, I think at the time this survey was done, we had been having a very hot and sunny spell!)

So why this change? It seems we want to make the best of the UK weather and enjoy those British BBQs, beaches and beer gardens! A lot of the time, this does seem like a good plan. After all, there has been numerous instances over the last few months when  the UK weather has been better than in the Mediterranean. Going abroad in the Autumn or winter means you can avoid those peak periods, high prices,  and stifling heat, that can occur in July and August.

travelling with medical conditions

Do you have a holiday abroad booked over the summer, or are you waiting until the Autumn?

So what are the main reasons for saving that holiday until the Autumn, according to the survey of 1092 people? Well, the site asked respondents ‘Are you holidaying later than normal this year, for example in autumn or winter, instead of summer?’ Some 56% of respondents said they were.

The reasons broke down as follows:

  • Cheaper holidays later in the year: 42%
  • Expecting UK summer to be hot: 37%
  • Due to work (e.g. holiday availability): 21%
  • No particular reason: 19%
  • Have longer to save up money: 8%
  • Other: 5%

So have you booked a holiday yet? Are you hoping to make the most of the good weather in the UK (and have more time to save up) and going away in the Autumn instead? This can make particular sense if you have a medical condition, like Arthritis – you can benefit from the milder weather here over the summer, and then when it starts to get colder in the UK, enjoy a holiday abroad (Remember, if you do have a medical condition like Arthritis, you will need to make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers your conditions.)

So for those who have a holiday booked in the Autumn, let’s hope the British weather is not too disappointing for the rest of the summer. And for those who DO have a holiday abroad booked over the summer, I hope you don’t get too jealous if we have lovely weather at home too!

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Feeling inspired by the Tour de France?

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

You have probably all heard of the Tour de France, and the ubiquitous yellow jersey which runs throughout the month of July. But in the same way Wimbledon can get you in the mood for playing tennis, and the Marathon can tempt you to take up running, how are you feeling about cycling right now?

cycling holiday travel insurance

Have you ever considered a cycling holiday?

 

The Tour de France runs from Saturday July 2rd to Sunday July 24th and will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,430.5 kilometres. The race is designed to cover a range of different terrains, from downhill to very steep (the race is in the Pyrenees), to a final stretch facing the sea, exposed to the wind! The route of the 2011 Tour has been determined with two objectives in mind: to set the pace from the beginning of the race and maintain suspense right up until the very end.

So has the race got you feeling inspired to take up cycling again?  Do you have dreams of wearing that yellow jersey? Well, if you plan on incorporating a little cycling or some other type of biking activity into your holiday, here are our thoughts…

  1. Cycling is good for you – but you knew that already. However, we are all so busy that it can sometime be hard to find the time to cycle. This is why you might want to consider a cycling holiday to get you back into the swing of things and then you can try to keep it up when you get home. So what are the fitness benefits? Well, cycling strengthens the cardiovascular system and burns off the calories, so your  stamina and fitness will increase. It also improves breathing quality. A strong pair of lungs is essential in pumping oxygen round the blood and, in turn, energising leg muscles over a lengthy period when cycling. With constant bike exercise, your lung capacity will improve. Cycling also builds leg muscle strength –  your quad, calf and glut muscles will all tone up
  2. Enjoying the great outdoors. We know how much better we feel when we have been outside in the fresh air, and what better way to do this than on a bike? It can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety and promote psychological well-being
  3. Reduced risk of injury. Cycling, like swimming, is not a weight bearing form of exercise, meaning it does not require the whole body to be supported while you do it. With the pressure being taken off your joints, it reduces the risk of injury.

Ok so cycling is good for fitness, and good for your psychological well being – it’s a no brainer really. So how could you incorporate cycling into your holiday?

  • Consider what kind of cycling holiday you might enjoy – would you fancy cycling along the beach, in a forest, or be really hard-core and head up the mountains? What about a mountain biking holiday, in the Alps or the Pyrenees, for example. If you like the idea of a cycling holiday, but not all the ‘uphill part’, then you can also go on a holiday somewhere a little flatter like Holland. Either way, cycling can be a lovely way to get fit while enjoying the stunning scenery of your chosen destination. For family holidays, there are lots of different options to carry the little ones.
  • Consider whether you will want to cycle the holiday or whether you would want some time out to relax on a beach as well and plan your trip accordingly
  • Would you want to transport your own bikes, or just rent out bikes while you are away?
  • Make sure that you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you just in case of any problems, and check the details of your insurance cover to make sure that you are covered for cycling or any sporting activities you have planned. If you are not sure, check with your travel insurance provider and they should be able to help you

 Do let us know of any cycling holiday experiences in the comments box below.

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You are what you tweet

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Are you a big fan of Twitter. Or have you never used it? You may have had a look but then been put off by some of the seemingly inane tweets – along the lines of what people have had for breakfast, or their plans for dinner. But, actually, Twitter can be more useful than you think. Seemingly tedious comments about headaches and hangovers can reveal nation-wide health trends and misconceptions, according to this article.

In the US, Tweets about illnesses were analysed to find out who was ill, their location in the country,  what medication they were taking and whether they were treating themselves correctly. John Hopkins University computer scientists analysed 1.5 million tweets sent between May 2009 and October 2010 which all referred to health matters. 

An interesting part of the study was medical misperceptions. For example, some people tweeted that they were taking antibiotics for flu. But antibiotics don’t work on the flu, which is a virus, and this practice could contribute to the growing antibiotic resistance problems.

In about 200,000 of the health-related tweets, the researchers were able to draw on user-provided public information to identify the geographic state from which the message was sent.  That allowed them to track some trends by time and place, such as when the allergy and flu seasons peaked in various parts of the US. 

The scientists have been talking to public health scientists who say that future studies of tweets could uncover even more useful data, both only about medical trends but also about public perceptions concerning illnesses and medications. (However, the researchers did point out that there is a limit to what people will share on Twitter, and all research will be limited by this).

This got me thinking about other ways that Twitter provides useful information, particularly in the world of travel, travel insurance and travelling with medical conditions. It really is a wealth of information with people providing their own personal tips or recommendations. This could be anything from places to visit, good restaurants, and insurers to try, for example. At AllClear Travel, we do our best to provide you with useful information on Twitter too, you can find us at www.twitter.com/allcleartravel. Please do check us out and follow on Twitter. And then we are really interested in finding out how we can provide even more useful information for you on travel, particularly travelling with medical conditions. Do let us know in the comments box below how we can help

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