The Business Trip That Nearly Gave Me Typhoid (And the Online GP That Saved My India Launch)
The email landed Thursday afternoon. "Can you fly to Mumbai Monday to save the merger?" Twenty million pound deal hanging by a thread. My expertise needed on the ground. Career-defining opportunity.
One small problem. I needed hepatitis A, typhoid vaccinations, and malaria tablets. My GP's travel clinic had a six-week wait. Private travel clinics wanted £450 for a consultation plus vaccines. The flight was in four days.
I genuinely considered risking it. Flying to India unprotected rather than missing this opportunity. That's when my colleague mentioned online GPs could sort travel health immediately. Two hours later, I had prescriptions for everything I needed. That online consultation might have saved my life, and definitely saved my deal.
The Travel Health System That Doesn't Work for Modern Life
The NHS treats travel health as a luxury. Optional. Non-urgent. As if international business travel, family emergencies abroad, or last-minute opportunities don't exist.
Travel clinics book up months ahead. GPS often don't stock travel vaccines. Private clinics charge hundreds for basic protection. Meanwhile, hepatitis A affects 1.4 million people annually. Typhoid kills 200,000. Malaria kills 400,000. These aren't rare tropical diseases. They're common infections that destroy lives.
Can online GPs really prescribe travel vaccines?
We prescribe the vaccines, you get them administered at a pharmacy. We provide comprehensive travel health consultations, prescribe malaria prophylaxis, and arrange vaccine schedules. Many pharmacies now give travel vaccines with a prescription. Total cost is often half what private clinics charge.
David books last-minute trips for his journalism. "I've covered conflicts, disasters, emerging stories," he explains. "Can't wait six weeks for travel vaccines." His online GP provides rapid travel health assessment. "Get prescriptions immediately, vaccines at Boots same day. It's enabled my entire career."
The Malaria Pills Nobody Can Access
Your safari is booked. Amazing opportunity. But you need malaria prophylaxis starting two days before travel. The GP surgery suggests trying a pharmacy. The pharmacy says you need a prescription. Back to square one with your flight tomorrow.
Malaria prevention is simple. Tablets that cost pounds. But accessing them requires navigating bureaucracy while parasites don't care about appointment systems.
Which anti-malarials can online GPs prescribe?
All of them. Malarone, doxycycline, Lariam (mefloquine), chloroquine. We assess your destination, medical history, and preferences. Some people can't tolerate certain medications. We find what works for you and prescribe immediately.
Sarah was visiting family in Nigeria. "Three weeks notice, couldn't get GP appointment," she recalls. "Pharmacy wanted £100+ for Malarone without prescription." Online GP prescribed generic version. "Cost £20 from online pharmacy. Same medication, fraction of the price."
The Holiday Ruined by Preventable Illness
Every year, thousands of Brits return from holidays seriously ill. Hepatitis A from contaminated food. Typhoid from water. Japanese encephalitis from mosquitoes. Most of these illnesses are vaccine-preventable.
But when vaccines require planning months ahead, spontaneous trips become health gambles. That last-minute deal to Thailand. The surprise anniversary trip. The family emergency requiring immediate travel. All become potential health disasters.
How quickly can I get protected?
Some vaccines work immediately, others need time. Hepatitis A gives good protection from day one. Typhoid needs two weeks ideally. We advise on timing and provide maximum protection possible within your timeframe. Even partial protection beats none.
Emma booked a surprise anniversary trip to Egypt. "Two weeks notice, GP couldn't help," she says. Online GP prescribed hepatitis A, typhoid vaccines, and antibiotics for traveller's diarrhoea. "Got vaccinated next day at pharmacy. Amazing trip, no illness. Would have risked it otherwise."
The Hidden Tropical Diseases in Europe
Think you only need vaccines for Africa or Asia? Southern Europe has leishmaniasis. Eastern Europe has tick-borne encephalitis. Even France has mosquito-borne diseases now. Climate change is bringing tropical diseases north.
Most people don't know these risks. GPS often don't either. You could catch a serious disease in Italy that proper prevention would have avoided.
Do online GPs know about rare travel diseases?
We use constantly updated databases of disease prevalence worldwide. We know which regions have which risks, including emerging diseases. We provide comprehensive protection, not just basic vaccines.
Michael caught leishmaniasis in Spain. "Never knew it existed there," he admits. "Spent thousands on treatment, months recovering." Now uses online GPS for all travel health. "They warned me about diseases I'd never heard of. Prevention is so much better than treatment."
The Altitude Sickness Prevention Nobody Mentions
Flying to Peru? Climbing Kilimanjaro? Skiing in the Alps? Altitude sickness can ruin trips or even kill. Simple medication prevents it, but most people don't know it exists.
Acetazolamide (Diamox) prevents altitude sickness in most people. Started before ascent, it helps your body adjust. But getting it requires knowing to ask and finding a doctor who understands high-altitude medicine.
Can online GPs prescribe altitude sickness medication?
Yes. We assess your itinerary, medical history, and provide appropriate prescriptions. We also advise on acclimatisation schedules and danger signs. Proper preparation prevents evacuations and ruined trips.
Tom was trekking to Everest Base Camp. "GP had never heard of Diamox," he says. Online GP prescribed it with detailed instructions. "While others in my group got severely ill, I was fine. That prescription made my dream trip possible."
The Traveller's Diarrhoea Kit Everyone Needs
It affects 40% of travellers. Ruins holidays. Causes severe dehydration. Yet most people travel unprepared, hoping restaurant hygiene will protect them. When illness strikes, they're stuck in hotel rooms, losing precious holiday time.
A simple antibiotic kit treats most traveller's diarrhoea quickly. But GPS rarely prescribe "just in case" medications. You're expected to risk it and seek local healthcare if needed.
What medications should travellers carry?
Antibiotics like azithromycin or ciprofloxacin for bacterial diarrhoea. Oral rehydration salts for dehydration. Anti-motility drugs for emergency symptom control. We prescribe complete kits with clear instructions on when to use what.
Rachel's honeymoon in Mexico was nearly ruined. "Both got severe diarrhoea day two," she recalls. "Hotel doctor wanted $500." Now travels with online GP-prescribed kit. "Treated ourselves immediately. Saved honeymoon and hundreds of dollars."
The Business Traveller's Health Insurance
Your company sends you worldwide but doesn't consider health preparation. You're expected to sort vaccines and medications yourself, usually at personal expense. Meanwhile, one sick executive can derail million-pound deals.
Smart businesses are starting to provide online GP access for travelling staff. It's cheaper than one cancelled trip due to preventable illness.
Can companies arrange employee travel health?
Yes. We provide corporate packages covering all travelling staff. Rapid prescriptions, consistent advice, and documentation for insurance. Companies save money whilst protecting employees.
A London bank started using online GPS after an executive caught typhoid in India. "Cost us millions in delayed negotiations," admits the HR director. "Now all staff get travel health sorted before trips. Tiny cost compared to risk."
The Expat's Medication Problem
Living abroad but need UK medications? Many expats struggle accessing prescriptions. Flying back for GP appointments is expensive. Local doctors don't understand UK medications. Online GPS bridge this gap.
We can prescribe medications for UK citizens abroad, sent to UK addresses or collected when visiting. Continuous care regardless of location.
The Family Travel Nightmare
Traveling with children adds complexity. They need different vaccines, different malaria tablets, different doses. Getting appointments for whole families is nearly impossible. One unprotected family member risks everyone.
Online GPS provide family travel consultations. Everyone assessed, everyone protected, all prescriptions sorted together. No multiple appointments or missed vaccinations.
The Vaccination Record Nobody Keeps
Most people don't know what vaccines they've had. GPS records are incomplete. Travel clinics don't share information. You might be paying for vaccines you don't need or missing ones you do.
Online GPS help reconstruct vaccination history and provide digital records. Know exactly what protection you have and what you need. Never duplicate vaccines or miss boosters again.
Your Travel Health Sorted Today
Don't let appointment waiting times stop your adventures. Don't risk preventable diseases because accessing prevention is difficult. Don't pay hundreds privately for simple prescriptions.
TheOnlineGP.com provides comprehensive travel health services immediately. Prescriptions today, vaccines tomorrow, flying safely next week. Because opportunities don't wait for NHS appointments.
Protect your travels. Protect your health. Get sorted today.
