HEALTH ADVICE
Protecting your health when away
- Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country. Do this well in advance of your trip.
- Find out what types of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases
- If you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages used in the countries you’ll be visiting.
- If in doubt stick to bottled water.
- Always ensure food is properly cooked.
- Have a dental appointment before you leave if you haven’t had a check up in a while.
- Carry details of any important health information with you on your trip.
Travel Insurance
- Even if you have insurance, you may still be expected to pay the bill in cash and be reimbursed from your insurance. Make sure you receive a completely itemized bill, in English, if possible.
- Be sure to read the trip insurance policy carefully, noting any excesses, exceptions or exemptions for pre-existing conditions, activities, diseases or areas of the world.
- Ensure you have cover for all the activities you are likely to undertake – many activities are excluded from some poliices.
- See if the policy covers any medical evacuation costs, especially if you plan on travelling to an area of the world that may not be able to provide you the type of medical care you will need.
- Check the policy to make sure you are covered for expenses caused by travel delays, as well as, cancellation coverage.
Useful links for health information when travelling
www.fco.gov.uk
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office website has excellent information on health and safety issues for countries around the globe. It includes advice on what to do if something goes wrong while you are abroad and links to advice from governments of other countries. Or ring 0870 6060290.
www.dh.gov.uk/policyandguidance/healthadvicefortravellers/fs/en
The Department of Health site. Latest health updates, outbreaks around the world, advice to keep safe, general health advice, getting treatment abroad.
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
Scottish NHS site. Excellent information. Customised printout for healthcare for your specific itinerary.
www.cdc.gov/travel
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Information site contains updated information and articles on diseases. It includes guidelines for travel to areas that have suffered a recent natural disaster. The destination section contains detailed specific information on diseases common to particular regions of the world, along with the recommended precautions and vaccines advised to avoid those diseases.
www.who.int/ith
World Health Organization’s International Travel and Health. Information on recommended vaccinations and general health advice for travellers. Also details health hazards in different parts of the world
www.iamat.org
The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. A nonprofit organization that aims to advise travellers about health risks, the geographical distribution of diseases worldwide, immunization requirements for all countries, and to make competent medical care available to travellers by western-trained doctors who speak English besides their mother tongue.
www.medicalert.org
The Medic Alert homepage. This is a nonprofit organization that issues bracelets that provide your emergency medical information to authorised medical professionals. Your identification and vital medical information will be readily available via phone or fax. Translation services are provided as needed, to any health care setting. There is a registration and yearly membership fee to receive this service. Privacy and confidentiality of members is protected by never releasing information to unauthorised personnel or organizations.
Prolonged immobility on long journeys, whether by plane, train or car, can lead to 'deep vein thrombosis' (a blood clot in the leg).
- Move your feet around, or get up and walk around regularly if you can. And avoid dehydration - take regular non-alcoholic drinks.
- If you have ever had a DVT or clots in your lungs, have a family history of clotting conditions, have had major surgery, especially a hip or knee replacement in the last 3 months or suffer from heart disease, cancer or ever had a stroke, you may be at increased risk. Ask your doctor for advice.