General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

@JohnK , usually groin hernia are painless. Painful hernias are a medical emergency.

Question is, do you actually have a hernia - that requires a physical examination.

Sharp pain down the inside of left thigh. I thought related to severe Osteoarthritis. GP requested ultrasound quering VTE and hernia. VTE negative. Ultrasound shows signs of hernia.

Wait for what the GP recommends tomorrow whether anything further is needed.

 

[RooFlyer]

Over on one of @Mattg 's trip reports, the issue of Yellow Fever vaccinations now being deemed 'for life' arose.

Do our docs know whether a YF vaccination (and certificate entry) 10 years ago - prior to the new policy - is still considered OK 'for life', or if its only vaccinations after the new policy that are good 'for life'.

My travel doc certainly told me the former.

 

[zig]

Over on one of @Mattg 's trip reports, the issue of Yellow Fever vaccinations now being deemed 'for life' arose.

Do our docs know whether a YF vaccination (and certificate entry) 10 years ago - prior to the new policy - is still considered OK 'for life', or if its only vaccinations after the new policy that are good 'for life'.

My travel doc certainly told me the former.

Interested in this issue. I assumed the former as well, and on that basis travelled this year with my YF vaccination card which stated 10 year validity. On entry at SYD border control staff didn't want to accept the certificate (I explained that the vaccination was now for life) and sent me to another queue where the 2nd staff member just waved me through.

 

[RooFlyer]

Interested in this issue. I assumed the former as well, and on that basis travelled this year with my YF vaccination card which stated 10 year validity. On entry at SYD border control staff didn't want to accept the certificate (I explained that the vaccination was now for life) and sent me to another queue where the 2nd staff member just waved me through.

That's exactly the issue I am concerned about - airports not knowing what the situation is, and insisting on giving me a jab there and then.

But I wasn't expecting the issue to be in Australia!!

 

[zig]

That's exactly the issue I am concerned about - airports not knowing what the situation is, and insisting on giving me a jab there and then.

But I wasn't expecting the issue to be in Australia!!

I am thinking of trying to get the vaccination card amended by my GP Practice (if possible), or carrying a hard copy of the updated vaccination information with me next time.

 

[Quickstatus]

YF vaccination

YF vaccinations used to be valid for 10 years. This was amended in 2016 by the WHO from 10 years to "for life".
Important to note that YFVax cert has to be on an official yellow WHO vaccination booklet/card.

Note also that only accredited yellow fever vaccination centres and Drs/nurses are allowed to give YFVax. Your local GP very likely not an accredited YFVaxxer. Modifying the YFVax card likely will need to additional problems - they should not be altered.

Those with the booklets issued prior to the 2016 policy change do not need their booklets changed or update, nor do they need to be revaccinated

From the WHO:
" the amendment to Annex 7 changes the period of validity of the related international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever, and the protection provided by vaccination against yellow fever infection under the IHR (2005), from ten (10) years to the life of the person (traveller) vaccinated. Accordingly, as of 11 July 2016, for both existing or new certificates, revaccination or a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine cannot be required of international travellers as a condition of entry into a State Party, regardless of the date their international certificate of vaccination was initially issued.
This lifetime validity of these certificates applies automatically to certificates issued after 11 July 2016, as well as certificates already issued."

Now that's the official WHO policy but it does not help the situation when the border people don't accept it . I would say that YF endemic places are up to date with the policy change but places like Australian ports may not. It would be like trying to educate airline (insert QF) staff about airline policies by showing them a printout of the airline policy and not winning

The reason for the WHo policy change is because the YFVax was shown to have lifelong effectiveness for most who got it

 

[zig]

YF vaccinations used to be valid for 10 years. This was amended in 2016 by the WHO from 10 years to "for life".
Important to note that YFVax cert has to be on an official yellow WHO vaccination booklet/card.

Note also that only accredited yellow fever vaccination centres and Drs/nurses are allowed to give YFVax. Your local GP very likely not an accredited YFVaxxer. Modifying the YFVax card likely will need to additional problems - they should not be altered.

Those with the booklets issued prior to the 2016 policy change do not need their booklets changed or update, nor do they need to be revaccinated

From the WHO:
" the amendment to Annex 7 changes the period of validity of the related international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever, and the protection provided by vaccination against yellow fever infection under the IHR (2005), from ten (10) years to the life of the person (traveller) vaccinated. Accordingly, as of 11 July 2016, for both existing or new certificates, revaccination or a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine cannot be required of international travellers as a condition of entry into a State Party, regardless of the date their international certificate of vaccination was initially issued.
This lifetime validity of these certificates applies automatically to certificates issued after 11 July 2016, as well as certificates already issued."

Now that's the official WHO policy but it does not help the situation when the border people don't accept it . I would say that YF endemic places are up to date with the policy change but places like Australian ports may not. It would be like trying to educate airline (insert QF) staff about airline policies by showing them a printout of the airline policy and not winning

Thanks for the information about not amending the YF vaccination card. I had my vaccination so long ago I had forgotten that I went to an accredited vaccinator.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks @Quickstatus . Can you provide a link to that WHO policy - might be handy to have on the phone somewhere.

Modifying the YFVax card likely will need to additional problems - they should not be altered.

Yes, I asked my travel doc to amend the "expiry" column on my YF vax certificate and he said "not on your nellie!!"

 

[Quickstatus]

accredited vaccinator.

Also only the WHO issues the yellow cards and they will only give it to accredited vax centres

Can you provide a link

Sorry, "WHO" is now a link. See post above

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry, "WHO" is now a link. See post above

PDF - even better. Now saved on phone with all the other vax certificates & health related.

 

[Quickstatus]

not on your nellie!

Per WHO link above and modifying WHO Vax certificates:

Do existing certificates of vaccination need to be changed or modified to show they are valid for life?
No. Nothing need or should be modified in the certificate; indeed under the IHR any changes, deletions, erasures or additions may cause a certificate to be rendered invalid. (See IHR, Annex 6(6).)

 

[mrsterryn]

Poor husband , a bad day for food not staying down
At least three more weeks till he can have the next test

 

[Mattg]

Per WHO link above and modifying WHO Vax certificates:

Do existing certificates of vaccination need to be changed or modified to show they are valid for life?
No. Nothing need or should be modified in the certificate; indeed under the IHR any changes, deletions, erasures or additions may cause a certificate to be rendered invalid. (See IHR, Annex 6(6).)

That's good to know. I too am concerned that some airports/countries won't be aware of the rule change though and won't accept a certificate showing an expired date.

 

[Quickstatus]

YF Vax gets a bit more complicated if you read the Australian Immunisation handbook

While the WHO says no need to get a booster after 10 years, the handbook does not make such a recommendation. Rather it says a booster might be beneficial in certain circumstances - which is more appropriate for the individual circumstance

In particular women who were pregnant at the time of the YFVax, those who were HIV positive at the time. Additionally, those with whose jab > 10years ago who are staying for extended period of time in an YF endemic area or going to an area where there is an active outbreak.

 

[Quickstatus]

From the Member chit chat about iodised salt...

I wonder how many people in Australia who are hypothyroid are actually iodine deficient in Australia.

The thyroid hormone requires iodine
T3 has 3 iodine and T4 has 4 iodine

There are general recommendations to minimise salt use in Australia
So those who want to minimise salt use should replace their kitchen and table salt with iodised salt

There are 3 ways to test for iodine levels
Betadine skin patch test, I dont know about the accuracy but putting a patch of betadine on your arm and seeing if it dissapears or lightens within 24hrs
Blood test
24hr urine collection.

 

[Pushka]

From the Member chit chat about iodised salt...

I wonder how many people in Australia who are hypothyroid are actually iodine deficient in Australia.

The thyroid hormone requires iodine
T3 has 3 iodine and T4 has 4 iodine

There are general recommendations to minimise salt use in Australia
So those who want to minimise salt use should replace their kitchen and table salt with iodised salt

There are 3 ways to test for iodine levels
Betadine skin patch test, I dont know about the accuracy but putting a patch of betadine on your arm and seeing if it dissapears or lightens within 24hrs
Blood test
24hr urine collection.

My TPO antibodies suggests it’s not relevant for me.

 

[Quickstatus]

TPO antibodies

yep, in your case the hypothyroid is due to a different cause

 

[JohnK]

Coles cooking salt does not mention if it's iodised or not. Neither does Saxa table salt.

So you'd have to buy iodised salt.

 

[Quickstatus]

Coles cooking salt does not mention if it's iodised or not. Neither does Saxa table salt.

Don't have to but it's recommended
If it's iodised, the ingredient is a little bit of potassium iodate mixed in

 

[JohnK]

Small hernia confirmed. Not sure I understand all terminology but hernia at this stage contains fat but no muscle or intestine.

Hasn't been hurting for 3-4 days but has started hurting again last night with pain down the thigh. Doctor sending referral through public hospital system.