Always
carry any medications with you.
When travelling to another country
Try to find out how easy it is to use health care in that
country. Establish the quality levels of treatment. Advice
from your travel company or consulate can be helpful.
If you are leaving your children
Leave a consent-to-treat form with whoever is caring for
your children.
Travelling across time zones
Jet lag can be reduced
by timing the arrival at your destination to match your
usual bedtime.
On arrival
Check
you know the local emergency and medical service telephone
numbers
Certificates
Check with your travel agent before departure as to whether
you need to take any vaccination certificates. Port authorities
in certain countries require to see certificates as proof
of vaccination.
Yellow
Fever
The Yellow Fever certificate is the only one that has to
be carried by international law. Many countries will want
to see your Yellow Fever certificate if you have come from
or travelled through (including plane touch downs) countries
with Yellow Fever infected areas.
HIV
Immune status
Port
authorities in some countries require a certificate which
shows your HIV immune status. The NHS does not provide this
test but it can be performed for a fee by your GP privately
or by a travel vaccination clinic. The result typically
takes 10 working days to be available.
Childhood Vaccinations
These include polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping
cough), Hib, BCG (TB), measles, mumps and rubella. Certain
countries sometimes require a confirmation from your doctor
that standard vaccinations have been given to your child.
Check with your travel agent, GP or travel vaccination clinic.
When travelling with children
Make sure that the children know the name and telephone
number of your hotel in case they get lost.
Give them enough money to make a phone call and make sure
they know how to use the telephone.
When
travelling to other countries
If you want to minimise the risk of diarrhoea do not drink
tap water. (See Water Care
section)
Bottled water may be safe, as long as it is factory bottled.
Traveller's diarrhoea can also result from drinks that contain
ice.
Bottled carbonated drinks, beer and wine are usually safe.
Cooked foods are usually safe, but raw foods and salads
(with lettuce or raw vegetables) can lead to abdominal/digestive
problems.
Eat in restaurants that have a reputation for safe cooking.
(See Food Care section)
Before Travelling
Arrange appropriate immunisation or check these immunisations
are up-to-date. This should be performed at the time of
booking or at least eight weeks before departure.
Notify your insurance company about previous/existing conditions
eg diabetes.
Collect the following items together and ensure you know
where they are in your luggage:
Non-prescription medications that you might need with you.
If concerned, take a signed repeat prescription with you,
a computer print out or typed summary of your major health
problems.
Passport.
Insurance papers.
Emergency Travel Kit (See Emergency
Travel Kit section or buy a ready packed one).
Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
The name and phone numbers of your pharmacist and doctor.
