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Deep vein thrombosis - prevention for travellers - Management
What general advice should I give to all long distance travellers?

  • Offer reassurance that the risk of travel-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is very low in healthy people without risk factors (see Risks of developing travel-related DVT).
  • Advise the person to avoid periods of prolonged immobility.
  • Advise the person to maintain a normal fluid intake to avoid becoming dehydrated, and to avoid alcohol, which in excess leads to dehydration and inertia.
  • Advise the use of graduated compression stockings for people assessed as having a relatively moderate or high risk of developing DVT.
  • Aspirin is not recommended for the prevention of travel-related DVT (see Aspirin).
    • People already taking aspirin (for example for cardiovascular disease) should not increase their dose.
  • Advise the person to seek urgent medical advice (for example from a local doctor or the nearest Accident and Emergency department) if they develop the following after the trip:
    • Swollen, painful legs, especially where one is more affected than the other, and/or
    • Breathing difficulties (suggesting pulmonary embolism).
  • Advise all travellers to obtain adequate medical insurance before they travel.
    • They should declare all their medical problems (this will probably result in premium loading or cover excluding existing illnesses).
  • For general health and travel advice (including insurance), see the Health advice for travellers booklet available from the Department of Health website (www.dh.gov.uk).

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