We all love to get away from our homeland
from time to time. After all, there are so many countries to see and
experience, so why not plan a trip away?
While your itinerary may seem like the most
important thing to fine-tune, you should also pay careful attention to your
health.
Before your trip
When you’re preparing to go overseas, much
of your time will be spent planning your clothing, accommodation and of course
your destination. But depending on your intended travel destination, you should
also consider planning for your health as well.
Remember, every country is different and
may have several diseases your body might not be immune to. You will need to
arrange to visit your doctor at least two months prior to travel, and they will
talk you through the many vaccinations you may need. It also pays to research
any vaccinations the country you’re visiting require you to have as well.
Once you have your vaccinations, it’s time
to look into travel insurance. Make sure you purchase full travel insurance for
your entire family. If someone becomes sick or injured while travelling, it can
be a costly exercise if you’re uninsured.
You should also pack a medical kit for each
member of your family. This could include particular medications, bandages and
ointments. Pay careful attention to your airline’s rule on liquids and
medication before you pack it.
Lastly, you should ensure everyone is in
good health before you leave. Get a full physical examination for every member
of your family – including dental and eye health as well.
Food and drink
While it’s exciting to be visiting a new country
where you can try out new food, you must be exceptionally careful. Do your
research on the country before you leave.
- Is the water safe to drink?
- What about the food?
When in doubt, use water purification tablets and purchase
bottled water. Don’t ask for ice in your drink, either. Avoid seafood and try
and eat at busy restaurants rather than small street stalls with not many
people around. If the locals aren’t eating it, then you shouldn’t either.
The most common sickness experienced by
travellers is a gastrointestinal infection. Most commonly, this is caused by
ill-prepared food and untreated water. Sometimes it may be okay to spend the extra cash to eat at an well known establishment and get your stomach acclimated.
Insects
Many countries have insects which carry
deadly diseases. While you can be vaccinated for many of the diseases these
insects carry such as malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever, it still pays to
be careful.
To avoid being bit by a mosquito, you
should wear mosquito repellent with DEET, remain indoors during their feeding
time of dusk and dawn, apply repellent to your clothing and bedding, and wear
long sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors. If you are worried about the health concerns of DEET, then check out this web link on what to understand when buying repellent.
Many establishments also provide a
mosquito net to cover the bed, but you can also choose accommodation which has
air-conditioned and screened units.
Mosquitos, while not a threat in your own
country, are a very real one in others. Over one million people die from
diseases caught through mosquito bites every year, so always remain cautious.
Travelling with your family can be a memory
that lasts you a lifetime, but making sure everyone is healthy can sometimes be
at the bottom of your list. Take all the precautions possible to ensure it’s a
trip to remember for the right reasons.
