Travel Health

By Richard Moore

Before you leave, make sure you've done all you can to minimise the risks of illness

It is every traveler's worst nightmare - being flattened by a nasty bug while in some far-off corner of the globe.

No loo, no doctors, no medicines.

In a strange city in Europe it would be bad enough, but if you find yourself out the back of nowhere in a third-world country it can be life threatening.

Most folk who have been around the world will have at least one horror story - although some of them can be funny (when viewed through the rose-coloured glasses of time).

There was one time driving through Bruges at about 4am when my brother took great delight in my discomfort at not being able to find a public loo to cater for my rebellious stomach. Great joke thought I, clenching my cheeks ever tighter.

Or having eaten at roadside stalls and marketplaces throughout Morocco being laid low by food poisoning after trying out a western restaurant in a big tourist city! That left this traveler delirious and dreaming of driving around a skein of wool.

Or a female friend's case of irritable bowel syndrome that was set off every time the tube train went near Baker St station in London. Don't know why, but it was so regular we factored in the stopover when planning trips into town!

Lessen the risk

You generally can't help where you are going to be sick, but there are things you can do to lessen the risk of sickness. First and foremost, get a good medical and dental check up a couple of months before you go overseas.

That gives you plenty of time to get any suspect fillings replaced - better the house pain of an Australian dentist than having to check out the local one in Timbuktu.

Make sure you tell your doctor where you are travelling to and get all the vaccinations you need to avoid really nasty diseases like cholera, typhoid and malaria. On that one, make sure you take anti-malaria tablets with you - along with plenty of insect repellent.

And an absolute must is travel and health insurance. American hospitals may be good - but they'll bankrupt you within days if you have to have something major done while away.

Take medication

If you are on regular medication for a condition make sure you take that with you - along with a doctor's letter to explain to suspicious authorities in foreign climes that you are not a drug smuggler - and that you have enough to last you until well after you return. If you have a serious health problem then seriously consider getting a medic alert necklace or bracelet.

A small first-aid kit is handy with antiseptic ointments, plasters, bandages, needle and thread, sunscreen and water-purifying tablets.

On the matter of water, I tend to stick with the bottled variety - even in European countries - and if in a third world region, always check the sealed top. If it is broken don't go near it!

Also be aware of eating vegetables washed in local water - in other words if you can't skin or peel it don't have it - and avoid ice in drinks ('cos it's made from local water). Remember to use bottled water for cleaning your teeth and keep your mouth closed while in the shower.

You can also use water that has been boiled for a minute.

If you do get a case of diarrhoea then you need to be very careful and if it goes for more than 24 to 48 hours get to a doctor as you will become very badly dehydrated.

Drink small amounts of water, or solutions that also replenish lost minerals. Get plenty of rest - not that you usually want to move too far from the bathroom - and eat rice, potatoes or porridge. If you are desperate to move on - like having a booked flight or train ticket - then a temporary bunger-upperer is to mix a small amount of cornflour with milk or water and drink that. (It works sort of like a thickener in a stew.)

Deep Vein Thrombosis

This recently recognized condition is potentially life-threatening and should be taken seriously. DVT is the formation of clots in your legs because of long periods of inactivity during flights.

The symptoms include a mild ache in your legs or leg swelling. In some cases there may be no indication of the problem.

Walking around the plane at regular intervals and drinking water can reduce your risks during long flights. People over 40 are more susceptible to DVT, as are those who have had a recent operation, or obese people. Women who are pregnant, or those on hormone therapy, are also more at risk of developing DVT.

Experts also suggest travelers avoid alcohol, but I can't think of much worse than being on a long flight and not being three sheets to the wind.

Jet Lag

Now Jet Lag has never really struck me down but many people do get disoriented after long flights across the other side of the world.

Folk can feel anxious, nauseated, have headaches and upset stomachs or just wanting to go to sleep in the middle of the day or tour around late at night.

Jet Lag can take a while to disappear - sometimes a couple of weeks - but this fellow has found the best way to avoid the condition is to do your best to stay with the time frame in your destination country.

If you are flying to London and arrive at 7am, don't just get to your accommodation and crash. Do your utmost to stay up until night time - not easy if you pop into a pub to celebrate at lunchtime - but, if you can, your chances of avoiding Jet Lag and much better.

Condoms

Now it is pretty sensible to take a supply of these handy little items along with you if you are sexually active, or intending to be. That goes for the gals as well as the boys. At least you know that good old Australian condoms are of good quality and will protect you in any encounters.

Tampons and Sanitary Pads

It's a good idea for the ladies to take a good supply of these with them when heading overseas - particularly to out of the way places. If travelling in the third world take enough to last you for your entire journey - and then some extras for back-ups. Wipes are also very handy for cleaning up.

Prior to Travel

• Get travel and health insurance
  
• Have a medical and dental check-up two months before departure
  
• Have full immunizations and vaccines
  
• Get a letter from your doctor if you are taking medicines overseas

Important

• Do not drink unboiled water in suspect areas
  
• Do not eat fruit or vegetables that have been washed in local water
  
• Eat only things that can be peeled
  
• Do not drink from water bottles that have broken seals
  
• Do not have ice in your drinks

Also Remember

• Take a first-aid kit with you
  
• Wear a Medic Alert tag if you have one