We all love to travel, whether it’s exploring new cultures, relaxing on a tropical beach or embarking on adventurous treks. However, too many holiday stories are overshadowed by tales of sickness and illness.
In fact, statistics show that overseas travellers have a 50% chance of suffering from a travel-related illness.
From upset stomachs to more serious infectious diseases, preparing for your health needs before travelling is vital. One key way to protect yourself is by ensuring that you’re up to date with travel vaccinations and taking appropriate precautions for your destination.
What are the common travel-related illnesses?
The most common health issue for travellers is gastrointestinal infections, often caused by consuming contaminated food or water. But other, more serious illnesses can be contracted, depending on where you’re going, including:
- Rabies
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Malaria
To minimise the risk of these and other illnesses, careful planning is essential, so it may be wise to visit your community pharmacist while considering your travel plans.
Why travel vaccinations matter
Vaccinations are a crucial part of travel health preparation, offering protection against a range of serious diseases. Many of these diseases are preventable, but without the appropriate vaccinations, travellers could be putting their health at risk. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Before you head overseas, ensure your regular vaccinations are up to date. This includes tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio, amongst others. In addition, travel experts recommend having other vaccinations including measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), hepatitis A and others, before travelling.
Destination-specific vaccinations
Depending on your travel plans, additional vaccinations might be necessary. For example, travellers visiting regions in Africa or Asia might need protection against meningococcal disease, typhoid and rabies. It’s important to start planning early, as your vaccination program may take up to 2 months to complete. Some vaccinations require more than one dose and have specific time periods between doses and travelling.
Your community pharmacist is a great source of advice when it comes to determining which vaccinations you need for your destination, so remember to get in touch with your local pharmacist before you jet off.
To avoid gastro: stay healthy, stay clean
While exotic destinations offer incredible food experiences, they can also pose risks when it comes to hygiene. Gastrointestinal infections can turn your dream holiday into a nightmare, with symptoms like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps.
To reduce your chances of becoming sick:
Packing hand sanitiser and frequently using it is another simple yet effective measure. Alcohol-based gels help eliminate germs, especially in areas where clean water may not be readily available. Your community pharmacist can help you select a good quality hand sanitiser and other travel essentials.
Getting your travel first aid kit ready
A well-prepared first aid kit is essential for any overseas adventure, but not all kits are created equal. It’s important to have a travel kit that’s tailored to your specific needs and the types of activities you’ll be doing. For example, your kit might include basic items such as bandages, dressings, pain relievers and antiseptic wipes. But if you’re travelling to a remote area or hiking, you might also want to pack a compass, torch and instant cold packs. If you’re travelling with children or elderly family members, your kit might need to include items like a digital thermometer or plastic syringes for accurate dosing of medicines. Remember, your community pharmacist can help you create a customised travel first aid kit that suits your destination, activities, and personal health needs.
For travellers with specific health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma or allergies, remember to pack any prescription medications, along with backups just in case. Take a letter from your health professional confirming that you have been prescribed these medications. Remember that some medicines that are over-the-counter here, could have more restricted supply rules in other countries. If you have questions, check with your community pharmacist.
Be prepared by planning ahead
To ensure your travel health is in order, it’s important to start planning early. Some vaccinations require multiple doses or need time to take effect, so aim to visit your pharmacist at least 6 to 8 weeks before your departure.
Your community pharmacist can do more
Whether it’s making sure you’re up to date with essential vaccinations, providing travel-specific medications or helping you build the perfect travel first aid kit, your community pharmacist is here for you. Don’t leave your travel health to chance—speak to your community pharmacist before you embark on your next adventure.
Safe travels!
