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Travel health

Holidays can mean health hazards!

Article by : SpunOut.ie

Preparing to travel abroad (for holidays, work, study, whatever!) usually means getting your tickets, passport, enough money, a good guide book and away you go! However, holidays can also mean loads of health hazards, from lobster pink sunburn, to diarrhoea to a whole range of nasty diseases. We don't want to worry you when you're about to head off on the trip of a lifetime but remember the following points:

  • Start preparing for your trip a month or more before you leave. 
  • Talk to a doctor or nurse about whether you need any vaccines (jabs) for the countries you plan to visit. Ask about the price also. This is important as some are very expensive and you might need to rethink your travel budget! The Irish Tropical Medical Bureau has a lot of information on vaccinations.
  • Remember to pack good sunglasses, a sun cream with a high level of protection and insect repellent if you're going to a warm country.
  • If you take any medication (the pill, asthma, diabetic meds) make sure you have enough for the whole trip and a copy of the prescription. (If the prescription is unreadable, get a typed letter from your doctor).
  • Pack a little first aid kit (you can buy these cheaply in big supermarkets or in camping/ outdoors shops).
  • Be careful with food and drink abroad. Make sure the drinking water is safe to drink before consuming it. Most countries with unsafe drinking water sell bottled water very cheaply. It is also very advisable to use bottled water for brushing your teeth. Make sure that any food you purchase is well cooked. Try to avoid ice in your drinks.
  • Get travel insurance: it needs to cover you for illness, injury, accident and theft of money, luggage and documents.
  • And don't forget the new European Health Insurance card if you're travelling in Europe! It's free and means you'll be able to get medical care without problems in other European countries.
  • If you get homesick make sure to keep in regular contact with your family and friends.
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