Healthy travelling is happy travelling. To make the most of your travel experience
and come home in the happy, healthy state that you left, it is important to
take some health and safety precautions before you leave and whilst abroad.
Follow these tips to make sure you stay healthy on your travels:
- Consult your doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel to ensure you get all the appropriate vaccinations you need, especially if you are travelling to countries where disease is a risk.
- Ask your doctor about Malaria and the various medications and precautions to be taken; different medications are effective on different strains
- If you are currently on medication, take an adequate supply with you, as it may not be available locally. Also bring a legible repeat prescription from your doctor or part of the prescription packaging showing the generic name (rather than the brand) so that you can get replacements
- If have a medical condition such as diabetes or epilepsy carry medication with you at all times and indication of your condition (such as a medical bracelet) in case of emergencies
- If you take medication according to a strict time schedule (e.g. insulin, contraceptive pill) and are travelling across time zones, ask your doctor how to adjust your schedule
- If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring along a spares and your prescription.
- Carry a basic medical kit to treat minor ailments such as cuts, insect bites, colds, allergies, stomachache and diarrhoea.
- Avoid drinking tap water and having ice in your drinks as, in some countries, the tap water is not pure. If you are unsure, only drink water from a sealed bottle and wash fruit and vegetables in clean, purified water or peel them if possible. You can purify water by boiling it vigorously for five minutes (this differs in high altitudes) or by using water purification tablets available in most travel shops
- When eating out, try to make sure that the food has been cooked thoroughly and has not being lying around and then reheated. Avoid shellfish, salad and undercooked meat in countries where the hygiene standards are poor
- Never bathe in polluted rivers and streams
- Always practice safe sex - use condoms
- Take a variety of insect repellent to avoid getting bitten, insects such as mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases such as Malaria
- If you are going on a long trip, make an appointment to see your dentist
to get your teeth checked
- Make sure you have adequate medical insurance to cover you whilst abroad before you leave home. Contact your nearest Student and Youth Travel Office for information on travel insurance policies they can offer you.
It is essential to take a medical kit with you on your trip. Readymade kits
are usually available from specialist trekking/travel stores as well as many
pharmacies. Here are the items you should take with you; always ask a pharmacist
for advice and extra assistance if you are not sure about a product: Antiseptic
for cuts and grazes
- Aspirin or paracetamol for general pain relief and fever
- Antihistamines for allergic reactions and relief for insect bites and stings,
available in pill and cream form.
- Assorted plasters, dressings and bandages for cuts, grazes and blisters
- Insect repellent (Note: be careful when using DEET as some people can react
against it)
- Cold and flu tablets and throat lozenges. Decongestant tablets may be useful
if flying with a cold to avoid ear damage
- Chap stick, sun block and high factor sun cream
- Loperamide, Lomotil or other recommended medication for diarrhoea
- Rehydration mixture to keep in case of dehydration
- Water purification tablets, or iodine tablets
- Scissors and tweezers (Note: do not to take pack these as hand luggage if
travelling by plane as they will be confiscated)
- Thermometer. (Note: Mercury thermometers are prohibited by airlines.)
- Antibiotics - if you are travelling off the beaten track you can ask your
doctor for some, make sure you keep the written prescription with the medication
- Medication for any pre-existing medical condition along with a letter or
prescription from your doctor
- Anti-malarial medication (if necessary)
- Latex gloves, sterilised syringes and needles with a doctor's note - in
case you need an injection in a country where there are medical hygiene problems