Healthy Travelling

Being ill whilst abroad, or on your return, can ruin a wonderful trip. Of course, the unexpected can always happen, but taking the simple steps below will maximise your chances of staying healthy:

Travel Tips - don't forget Travel Insurance!

• Consult your GP or vaccination clinic at least six weeks prior to departure to ensure that you have all the necessary vaccinations for your destination and/or have started taking the appropriate medications (e.g., malaria tablets, which may need to be started well before travel).
• Ensure that you have enough medication for your journey if you need to keep taking this regularly during the trip. Keep a note of the names of all medications in case you need to replace them whilst away (a repeat prescription can be useful).
• If you suffer with a medical condition such as epilepsy, carry plenty of spare medication and use a medical bracelet to alert others of your condition and/or treatment regime in case of emergency.
• If you are taking medication which requires strict time intervals between doses, (e.g., insulin, oral contraceptives), seek advice from your doctor about how to take this whilst travelling as you may be unsure about what to do when travelling through different time zones.
• Carry a medical kit (consult medical advice about your destination and your own health needs for more detailed information). Medical kits often include things like:
1. Pain relief remedies such as aspirin or paracetamol.
2. Antihistamines for allergic reactions and relief for insect bites.
3. Assorted plasters, dressings and bandages.
4. Insect repellent.
5. Sun block, high factor sun cream and after sun cream.
6. Recommended medication for diarrhea.
7. Rehydration mixture (in case of dehydration).
8. Water purification tablets, or iodine tablets.
9. Scissors and tweezers (do not to take pack these as hand luggage as they will be confiscated on flights).
10. Thermometer (mercury thermometers are prohibited by airlines.)
11. Antibiotics in case of emergencies if you are likely to be far away from medical assistance.
12. Latex gloves, sterile syringes and needles (in case you need them in a country where there are medical hygiene problems).
• Get adequate travel insurance prior to travel and check that it covers all the obvious medical risks of your journey.
• Always practice safe sex. Be aware that alcohol and drug use may make you more likely to have unsafe sex. Carry condoms with you at all times.
• If you wear contact lenses, glasses or a hearing aid, carry spares as well as a prescription or information about the type of equipment you need should you have to obtain replacements.
• Get your teeth checked before a long trip or if you have any dental pain or discomfort before your travel.
• Avoid drinking tap water and avoid ice cubes (usually made with tap water). Always ensure water that you buy is in a sealed bottle. Wash fruit, salad, vegetables and clean teeth with bottled water. Use water purification tablets and in an emergency, boil water vigorously for five minutes.
• Avoid shellfish, reheated foods (especially meats) and salad.
• Don’t bathe in polluted water and if in doubt, err on the side of caution.
• Use insect repellents liberally to avoid both discomfort and, more seriously, diseases such as malaria.