Travel insurance is essential for any trip. We are very fortunate that in Australia, we have an excellent public health system so in an emergency, everyone will be treated, but that is not always the case overseas. A few years ago, Darren and I went to Singapore for a wedding. It was only a five day trip, but thought we should get travel insurance just in case, especially since I was pregnant with The Munchkin. It turned out it was very lucky that we did because although I was fine, Darren ended up needing to see a GP then a specialist and have some expensive tests and we got the cost of everything back on our travel insurance. As they say, "If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel."
You should definitely see your doctor at least eight weeks before you travel for a basic check-up and to see whether you need any vaccinations. General vaccines such as typhoid and hepatitis A and B are advisable even in Australia. Some countries such as those in parts of Africa and South America, will not allow you to enter unless you have proof of certain vaccines such as yellow fever. The vaccine lasts ten years and needs to be given at least ten days before entry into a high-risk country. You don't want to fly all the way across the world, only to be sent straight back home at the airport!
Speaking of flying, long flights can increase the risk of you getting a DVT (deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot which starts in the leg but can move to other areas). Pop into Terry White Chemists Berwick to check out our large range of compression stockings and socks and try and stay hydrated during the flight (go easy on caffeine and alcohol!) and make sure you move your legs and feet around periodically and occasionally walk around.
For some countries such as those in Africa and South East Asia, it may be advisable to take malaria medication. There are different regimes depending on where you are travelling to, but they all need to be started before your trip, taken whilst you are away and generally also for a short time once you return. Make sure you read the directions carefully and finish the entire course to ensure you are protected. Some malaria medications can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives so you may need to take extra precautions during this time. You can protect yourself further by using appropriate insect repellents, covering arms and legs with clothing when outdoors (especially at sunset) and using mosquito nets.
Traveller's diarrhoea is also a risk, especially in developing countries. It is usually caused by consuming contaminated food or water which local residents seem to have acquired an immunity to. Symptoms can include nausea, bloating, cramps, loose and frequent bowel motions and a general feeling of being unwell. You can reduce your risk by avoiding ice, drinking bottled or canned water and other drinks, avoiding salads which may have been washed in local water, only eating fruit which you peel, avoiding undercooked or improperly stored foods (especially seafood and meat) and washing and drying hands thoroughly before and after meals and going to the toilet. If you are unlucky enough to come down with traveller's diarrhoea, keep hydrated (buy some oral rehydration solution from Terry White Chemists Berwick before you leave home), rest and stick to bland foods.
If you need to travel with prescription medication, ask your doctor for a letter explaning the details of the medications, what they are for and that they are for personal use. Make sure you have enough medication for the duration of your trip. Ensure you have some medication in your hand luggage in case your suitcase goes missing and make sure that all your medications are in their original packets with the pharmacy labels on them. It's also worth checking that your medications are legal in the countries you are visiting. For example, codeine which is found in many over-the-counter painkillers such as Panadeine, is illegal in Greece and classed in the same category as heroin. Click here for contact details of the foreign embassies in Australia to check on your medications.
Our staff at Terry White Chemists Berwick are a great source of advice before you travel. They can assist you in putting together a basic first aid kit, help with alert bracelets and necklaces, dispense any vaccines and other medications and supply everything to protect and treat sunburn, insect bites, cuts and grazes and other common health conditions. We also have a Travel Health Self Care Card with lots more advice to help you on your way.
So get organised before your trip and happy travelling!
References and further reading
- Travel Health Self Care Card, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, published February 2011
- Australian Government's Smart Traveller website
- Travel Clinics Australia website
- World Health Organization website
- Travel Health - Yellow Fever Vaccine Fact Sheet - Better Health Channel, published November 2010 (accessed 19 September 2011)
- Travellers's Diarrhoea Fact Sheet - Better Health Channel, published August 2011 (accessed 22 September 2011)
Good information about Travel Health, as health is really important at travelling time.
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