15 January 2002

All the health risks of air travel

How dangerous is air travel these days? How much should we really worry about thrombosis, air rage, the spread of infectious diseases, even terrorism? At the Royal Society of Medicine conference Flights of Hazard, (21st January 2002) speakers will include:

The airline response to DVT fears
Dr Michael Bagshaw, Head of Occupational & Aviation Medicine, British Airways, - The airline response
Is air travel really linked to deep venous thrombosis (DVT)? Dr Bagshaw, a pilot himself, will discuss the conflicting research over the last fifty years of air travel, including evidence that airline pilots are actually less at risk of venous thromboembolism than those who never fly. He will explain what his company is doing to educate travellers with pre-existing risk factors, how in-flight exercises have recently been updated, and what the airline industry is doing to help and encourage more DVT research.

Increased anxiety and 'in-flight vigilantes' after terrorist attacks
Dr Graham Lucas, Priory Healthcare Services - Mental Health on Board
Anxiety and panic attacks are the most common cause of in-flight psychiatric emergencies, and anxiety has inevitably increased among air passengers since September 11th, Dr Lucas will explain. He will discuss the causes of air rage, which he argues can cause post traumatic stress disorder among other passengers and crew, and warn that people's current fear of terrorism may make in-flight vigilantism a problem.

What defences have we got against diseases from abroad?
Dr Ewan Gerard, Port Medical Director, Gatwick - The healthy and sick returning traveller
Modern air travel means that diseases and disease-causing insects can spread across country boundaries more easily than ever before. Dr Gerard will discuss what this means for the UK's Port Health Authorities, and why he thinks their role needs to be redefined in the light of major disease threats from abroad, such as TB and malaria. He will report on what is being done to combat these threats, including screening people entering the UK and ensuring that airlines comply with health regulations.
NB: Dr Gerard will only be available for interview during and after the conference

What GPs need to know about travel medicine
Dr Gerard Panting, Medical Protection Society, - What are you letting yourself in for? Medico Legal Issues
Often the GP is the only health professional we see before going on a long flight, Dr Panting will point out, so he/she is ideally placed to give travel advice - not just about the injections we need, but also to assess whether we are fit to fly. Dr Panting will explain what those in primary care should learn from travel medicine specialists, and will suggest that GPs should take the chance to raise issues like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and give guidance to patients who might be particularly at risk.

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