Before you set out to travel anywhere in the world, check the health requirements for your destination.

Look at the potential risks and plan the precautions you need to take, before you go and once you are away.

Such precautions will depend not just on the countries you may be visiting, but also which part of a country you may be visiting; for how long you will be visiting; what time of year you intend to visit; and where you will be staying.

Camping, for example, presents different potential health problems to staying in a hotel. And there may be special immunisation requirements if you plan to enter a European Economic Area country from a non-EEA state.

You can get more information on all these points from your travel agent, the Embassy or High Commission of the countries concerned, or from a specialist travel clinic.

Consult Your Doctor Well In Advance

You should consult your doctor well in advance (preferably at least two months) of your departure, for advice and to arrange immunisations.

Some of these cannot be given at the same time. Some take time to be effective.

Immunisation against Hepatitis B, for example, can take six months to give full protection. However, see your doctor even if you are going at short notice - some protection may be better than none.

Tell your doctor where you are going, if you are or may become pregnant, and if you are taking children with you.

This is particularly important if they have not had their full course of childhood immunisations.

If you need anti-malaria medication, your doctor will advise on which is most appropriate. You should start taking the medication from the recommended time before departure.

If you require prescribed medicines while abroad, check on their availability at your destination since your doctor can normally only prescribe a limited quantity under the NHS.

If the medication cannot be obtained where you are going, you will have to purchase supplies in the UK.

Paying for Immunisations & Anti-Malaria Tablets

Some immunisations are free under the NHS. For others there may be a charge.

Doctors can charge for signing or filling in a certificate.

Some anti-malaria tablets are available from pharmacists without a prescription.

Taking Medicines out of the UK

If you want to take any sort of medicine with you - either prescribed or bought from a pharmacist - find out if there are restrictions on taking it in and out of the UK or the country you are visiting.

Ask the relevant Embassy or High Commission or the Home Office Drugs Branch.

Always carry medicines in a correctly labelled container, as issued by the pharmacist.

Otherwise take a letter from your doctor or a personal health record card giving details of the drug prescribed in case you need it to get you through Customs.

Remember, some medicines available over the counter in the UK may be controlled in other countries, and vice versa.

Existing Medical Conditions & Medication

Keep written records on your person of any medical condition affecting you, such as angina pectoris, diabetes and haemophilia. Also list the common names - not just the trade names - of any medication you are taking.

Have A Dental Checkup

If you have any doubts about your teeth, or you plan to be away a long time, see your dentist. It may be difficult and expensive to obtain dental treatment at your destination.

CARY A FIRST AID KIT

A packet of adhesive dressings, some insect repellent, antiseptic cream and water-sterilisation tablets will take up little space and could be useful.

Emergency Medical Travel Kits

These contain a variety of sterilised and sealed items of equipment, such as syringes, needles and suture materials, and may be purchased through a pharmacist, private medical centre, or from a number of other suppliers.

They should normally be handed to a doctor or nurse for use in a medical emergency in a country where the safety of such items cannot be assured.

A typical kit should contain:

• 2 x 5ml syringes
• 5 x needles (preferably two sizes)
• 1 dental needle
• 1 intravenous cannula
• 1 skin suture with needle
• 1 packet skin closure strips
• 5 alcohol swabs for skin cleansing 5cm x 5cm and 10cm x 10cm non-stick dressings
• 1 roll surgical tape

Additional items such as an intravenous-giving set and a blood substitute solution may be advised for journeys to remote areas. Your doctor will be able to provide more information.

Emergency medical travel kits should carry sufficient identification to ensure their acceptance by Customs officials but the contents should not be opened until needed.

It is also unwise to carry loose syringes or needles unless you have a doctor’s letter explaining their purpose - if, for example, you are a diabetic.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 3:44 pm and is filed under Prepare, Prepare for Health, Travel Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.