Knomad gives nomads personalised health advice

By STEVE HART

There's no shortage of advice about which pills, vaccinations and potions to take on holiday. Dozens, if not hundreds of websites offer information on everything from warding off malaria to dealing with a headache or tummy bug.

But Auckland-based travel health specialist Dr David Millar says the downside of a lot of this advice is that much of it is of a general nature.

"The people who put up these sites have to write it with a 'catch-all' style, because they don't know each reader's personal conditions or detailed holiday itinerary. And, for their own protection, the websites have to mention everything, which can leave some people confused and worried."

One of the problems of visiting a GP is that patients can't always be expected to remember all the advice offered during a 30-minute consultation.

Millar and his colleagues Adrian Ryan and Emily Cook have launched what they believe is the first website to offer travel health advice tailored to each subscriber's needs.

The Knomad website allows users who pay $9.95 to list their full holiday itinerary and declare their relevant medical treatments on a secure site.

Once the online questionnaire is complete, a profile is built up and any recommended medication is listed. Taken into account are things such as accommodation, destinations, activities, health and age, and any health-related issues at the destination.

Once on holiday the user can log in at any time to seek further medical help. The website's front page is updated daily with breaking news on health risks around the world.

Knomad