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Travelling Abroad?
Take the time to scan through our tips for a happier healthier trip - why not print this section off for reference? Every year several million Britons will head abroad for fun, sun, business or family meetings. We hope that if you are one of them that you will have a trouble-free, healthy and enjoyable trip - to try and help stay healthy we have given below some Advice and Precautions. Certain countries require special advice and immunisations (click here for information on over 200 countries). If the advice that you aren't looking for isn't here then why not visit www.fco.gov.uk/travel or www.cdc.gov/travel for a more in depth look. If you take regular medication, make sure that you order adequate supplies for your trip (with a few to spare for 'unforeseen circumstances') in plenty of time. Take them in their original containers with the Pharmacy Dispensing Label intact, and ideally a letter from your doctor, or at least a computer generated repeat prescription slip. Controlled Drugs (such as morphine, pethidine, diconal and others) will certainly need a letter of authorisation. For more information about which drugs this includes and the restrictions visit HM Customs and Excise Web pages dealing with this Certain medical conditions, such as Diabetes, Endocrine deficiencies and Heart Disease, require special care and preparation. If you have any doubts contact your doctor for advice. A First Aid Kit should be considered as an essential piece of equipment, as should Travel Insurance. DoctorBackHome.com offers the opportunity for you to discuss any problems you encounter abroad with a British Doctor, but you will also need cover against the eventuality of requiring expensive medical treatment while abroad.
Traveller's Diarrhoea Traveller's Diarrhoea (or 'Montezuma's Revenge'!) affects a great many people, ranging from the mild inconvenience to a major illness needing hospitalisation, and is understandably more common in the developing parts of the world where hygiene is less sophisticated. It is usually spread from contaminated water or food. The Golden Rules of avoidance are:
What to Do? The treatment for Traveller's Diarrhoea is very simple - FLUIDS - the rule is 'More in than out' in other words more to be taken in orally than is coming out in the form of diarrhoea, urine, vomiting or sweating. Contrary to popular belief you may eat so long as you aren't vomiting, and it may even shorten the illness. The ideal fluids are ISOTONIC containing not only water and sugar but also some salts. Sachets can be taken in your First Aid Kit or you can buy so-called Isotonic Sports Drinks. It is possible to mix some up your self - 250ml bottled water + 5mls (1 teaspoon) sugar + pinch of salt + 50mls of fresh orange juice. What about those medicines? Lots of preparations are on the market, and they may offer some symptom relief (useful if you have an 8 hour coach trip into Central Punjab) but they won't let the bug or the toxins out of the system so well. Avoid them if there is a fever and in children. When to worry? Don't panic, but if there is blood mixed in with the diarrhoea, if there is fever, if it lasts for longer than 72hours or if the person becomes confused or disorientated seek medical advice - from DoctorBackHome.com or locally. Babies and toddlers require medical advice sooner as they become dehydrated more quickly. Significant diarrhoea and vomiting, especially if associated with poor fluid intake and dry nappies, warrants medical advice and/or attention. Remember they may have other symptoms they can't tell you about which indicate something different from a 'tummy bug'. Drowsy, disinterested and persistently irritable babies need to be seen by a health professional. Further advice from DoctorBackHome if necessary. One third of insurance claims for travel insurance are due to Accidents. Don't forget to pack your common sense when you leave the UK! Children are especially vulnerable - adults behaving like children are also vulnerable especially with too much alcohol on board. Swimming Pools are normally fairly safe, but in some areas they can be potentially very dangerous with hidden obstacles, unsafe diving boards and murky water. Always keep a very close watch on children, rather than dozing off with a Mills and Boon, and always check the depth before jumping or diving in. Don't swim alone.
The
Sea is generally self-sterilising, but try to be aware of local
sewage outlets. Diving into the surf of a gently sloping beach is a recognised
cause of head injury or paralysis. Roads
can present hazards for pedestrians - it's easy to forget which way to
look, so try to remember the Green Cross Code! Hotels and Guesthouses in some countries are of very poor quality - some are positively dangerous. Fire doors may be locked, balconies may be unsafe, and stairwells can have gaps that small and inquisitive children can squeeze through. When arriving run through a check of what you would do in the event of an emergency. If you don't think that it is safe, contact the Travel Rep if there is one, or try to change your room. All too often the family arrives at their Costa Hotel, dump the bags, slip into their costumes and spend 4 hours by the pool. An excellent way to get sunburn or heat stroke in the short term and skin cancer in the long term. "Slap it on, slip it on and cover up" - high factor suncream, long-sleeved shirt and a hat, especially for children. Children need to be well protected. Build up sun exposure gradually and avoid the midday sun. Sunglasses that are UV endorsed help to protect the eyes. Sunstroke occurs with a combination of heat and dehydration and leads to exhaustion. Always make sure that you are having plenty of (non-alcoholic) drinks.
Cold damage will generally occur where
people are ill prepared and exposed to extremes of temperature. Local
cooling (fingers, toes, and nose) may lead to frostbite, while generalised
cooling may cause hypothermia, which can be mistaken for drunkenness -
stumbling, mumbling and grumbling. Bites and Stings and Nasty Things Animals. Dogs, cats, Donkeys, Monkeys - even humans - can inflict bites anywhere in the world. As well as the more frightening Rabies, animal bites can cause quite nasty infections and it is always sensible to seek medical advice. Other complications include localised trauma.
Snakes. Prevention must be the key aim. They don't generally attack unless provoked - don't disturb them and NEVER pick them up even if someone promises you that they are harmless or they appear to be dead. Be sensible - walking bare-foot in vegetation, swimming in murky coastal waters or in rivers matted with vegetation and climbing trees or rocks can all be hazardous. It is quite rare for foreigners to be bitten.
Insects. Antihistamines are useful for most bites but severe allergy (known as anaphylaxis) requires emergency adrenaline and people with this history should carry a special emergency injection for self injection. Mosquitoes and ticks. In tropical areas these insects can carry serious diseases including Malaria and Encephalitis. You may well need to take preventative medicine (for malaria) or have an immunisation (for Japanese Encephalitis), but you also need to try to avoid being bitten in the first place.
Scorpions
and Spiders. These
creatures may lurk in shoes or clothing, so always have a little look
before putting them on! This is an area that needs to be addressed even if it seems a little sensitive. In certain parts of the world HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis B are rife in the heterosexual as well as the homosexual community, and unprotected sexual intercourse is hazardous. The less-mentioned sexually transmitted diseases such as Herpes, Genital warts, syphilis and gonorrhoea are also prevalent, and one should always assume that prostitutes, and escorts will carry something unpleasant for you to take home. ALWAYS use a condom that you yourself have provided, with the British Kite Mark ideally. The same rules must apply to any form of casual sexual encounter. Be reminded that alcohol will reduce the discipline to be cautious. Needles are a recognised source of spread of HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis B - this is not only limited to Intravenous Drug Users, but also when used in tattooing, acupuncture or body-piercing where the sterility of the instruments may not be guaranteed. Medical care - injections and blood transfusions - is often taken for granted in the UK, but in many places the same standards of sterility and care can not be assumed. It is wise to carry a Sterile Medical Kit containing needles, syringes and sutures (and, if required, blood substitute and giving set for group travel) if travelling to developing or remote locations. You should take a certificate with this to confirm the reason for carrying it. Blood for transfusion may not be screened for diseases and so you should avoid transfusion unless essential - the local British Consulate may be able to give advice and more information can be found here. Street drugs such as Heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy and LSD are always very dangerous and you can never be sure of what exactly you are taking into your body. Certain countries carry exceptionally severe penalties for possession - even death.
Special mention needs to be made of Malaria if you
are travelling to an area where malaria is known to be a problem. The
different areas may be infested with different forms of the disease and
so the recommended 'prophylaxis' (preventative treatment) will also differ
and is dependent on your destination(s). Please consult with your Doctor
or Practice Nurse about the recommendations for you before you travel.
Bear the following in mind:
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Inland waters
such as lakes and rivers may be popular local bathing areas in all parts
of the world, but remember if it looks dirty and if it smells dirty then
it probably is dirty, and may be a good place to catch some nasty bugs.
In the tropics and sub-tropics you should assume it to be colonised with
the snails that carry the Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) bug. - Lakes Kariba,
Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria and the River Nile are all known to be
affected.
Marine animals. Jelly
fish stings may be made more comfortable with vinegar or baking soda.
Remove any tentacles with gloves. If stung by a fish such as a weever
fish or stone fish the pain can be excrutiaing and may be eased by immersing
the limb in warm water at 45oC. Sea Urchin spines need removal at a clinic.
