Vhi HealthClub

Healthy Eating at Christmas

Our resident food expert, Nuala Collins, is back with me in studio today to tell us how we can eat healthy at Christmas and still enjoy ourselves also.

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(4 mins 19 sec)

Malaria cases on the rise in Ireland

Malaria cases in Ireland are growing steadily with 97 cases in 2006. Dr. Gavin Fry is an expert in tropical diseases and he tells presenter Aileen O Meara that more and more people are going on exotic holidays and also that more and more people resident in Ireland, but originally from Malaria hot spots are going back to visit family, unaware that they no longer have the immune system to cope with the disease. There is no vaccine for Malaria but a course of tablets before, during and after your trip are the best course of action for anyone heading on a tropical holiday this summer.

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(3 minutes 34 secs)

Holiday precautions – Children & Safety

Family holidays can be the high point of the summer, but when traveling with children there are a few factors to take into account to keep the holiday safe. Dr Graham Fry says that one of the main issues is to make sure young children are aware not to eat and drink food and water that is unsafe and for parents to be aware of what children eat when they are not with them. Vaccines are very important depending on the location of the holiday and children should not pet cats, dogs or even monkeys etc in animal parks in countries where Rabies is a risk. And finally, no matter where the holiday suntan lotion is a must-pack item along with hats to protect young skin from the sun!

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(3 minutes 20 secs)

Stay healthy on holidays - vaccines and good food sense

More and more Irish people are traveling further on holiday and experiencing diseases and bugs that might never encounter at home. Dr Graham Fry, a specialist in tropical medicine, tells Aileen O Meara that food and water born diseases are the ones to be careful about - and the advice is to get vaccinations before you leave and always check your uncooked food and drink.

His top tip is to smell the running water from the tap - if you can smell chlorine it's a very good sign, always avoid shellfish and not to sing in the shower!! (if you listen it makes sense!)

Dr Fry will be back with us with more advice on safe holidays in the future and if you want more information on vaccines visit the Tropical Medicine Bureau at www.tmb.ie. If in doubt ask for advice and don’t assume that just because its a package holiday to Kenya or Thailand that everything is taken care of - ask your doctor first.

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(4 minutes 06 secs)

Managing Holiday Stress

Our Stress management correspondent, Karen Belshaw, talks about the repercussions that being unprepared for your holiday could have. She talks about how easy it is for people to get stressed about their trip away and pinpoints that it can simply boil down to change. She gives some productive advice on how to avoid this stress and how to cope with any unexpected plans.

Listen Here... (4min 07sec)

Summer Food Hazards

In light of the recent scare with Cadbury's being 'linked' to Salmonella, Food correspondent, Nuala Collins discusses the risks involved with summer foods and some vital tips to take heed of. She particularly stresses the importance of making sure that your food is thoroughly cooked especially when you are having barbeques during those summer months. She gives useful tips and cooking instructions which it could be quite easy to forget.

Listen Here... (3min 28sec)