TRAVEL HEALTH

With some simple planning a traveller can help ensure that any health concerns don't interfere with the enjoyment of the overseas travel, ensuring a safe trip and healthy return.

 

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
DVT is sometimes referred to as 'travellers thrombosis' or 'economy class syndrome'. DVT is the formation of a clot in the deep veins of the leg. Sitting for long periods of time while travelling may be associated with this condition.

 

Risk factors include:

 

• Over 40 years of age
• Smoking
• Recent surgery
• Pregnancy
• Taking hormone therapy
• Obesity
• Family history of DVT
• Blood clotting disorders
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., heart disease).

 

Symptoms

 

• There may be no symptoms
  
• Leg swelling and redness
• A mild ache in one or both legs, particularly in the calves.

Jet lag

The degree of jet lag depends upon the number of time zones crossed and in which direction, east or west. The body clock can take days or even weeks to get used to the local time of a new destination.

 

 

Symptoms

• Anxiety, feeling disoriented
• Forgetfulness, poor concentration
• Poor appetite, upset stomach
• Weakness, irritability, tiredness, disturbed sleep
• Headache
• Being alert, sleepy and hungry at the wrong times.

 

 

Travellers' diarrhoea (TD)

TD remains the single most common illness affecting travellers. Eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water or ice most commonly causes TD.

 

 

Symptoms

• Stomach cramps
• Frequent runny, watery bowel motions
  
• Sometimes vomiting, fever or bloody bowel motions.

 

Malaria

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells. There are four different malaria parasites. Anyone can get malaria if they are bitten by an infected mosquito in a region where malaria occurs.

 

 

Symptoms

• Fever, chills, sweating
• Headache.

 

The most serious form of malaria can cause organ failure, coma or even death.

 

 

Self care

Before leaving

• Visit a doctor and dentist for a check-up at least eight weeks before travelling.
• Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about which medicines you need to take with you. It is illegal to carry Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines overseas unless they are for your personal use or the use of someone travelling with you.
• If you are planning to carry medicines overseas you should: contact the embassy of the country you are visiting, to ensure any medicines are legal there; carry a letter from your doctor outlining the details of the medicines, how much you will be carrying, and stating that they are for your personal use; leave the medicines in their original packaging so they are clearly labelled with your name and dosage instructions.
• Purchase health and travel insurance.
• Ensure immunisations are up-to-date - check to see if any special vaccines are needed.

 

 

General' Heafth

• Always carry a first-aid kit. Completing a first-aid course and carrying an emergency dental kit may also be useful if travelling to remote areas.
• Wear a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace if you have a serious health condition or allergy (ask a pharmacist).

 

 

DVT

• Exercise calf muscles half hourly.
• Drink plenty of water and juice but avoid alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks.
• If you are in a high risk group for DV'T, see a doctor before you travel.

 

 

Jet lag

• If possible break the trip up by including stopovers in travel plans.
• Try to plan for arrival at the destination around bedtime.
• Set your watch to the local time of the new destination. Eat and sleep according to this time during the flight.
• Eat light healthy meals and wear loose, comfortable clothing during the flight.
• Try to sleep on longer legs of the flight. A mild sleeping tablet may help (ask a doctor or pharmacist).

 

 

Travellers' diarrhoea

• Drink small amounts of fluid often.
• Rest and eat starchy foods.
• Drink only boiled, canned or bottled drinks - don't add ice.
• Avoid shellfish and cold cooked meats.
• Don't eat fresh salads, raw vegetables or cut fruit - if you can't peel it, cook it or boil it, don't eat it.
• Wash your hands before meals and after each toilet visit. Dry your hands with your own towel or let them air dry.

 

 

Malaria

• Use insect repellent at regular intervals.
  
• Use mosquito nets.
• Cover arms, legs and ankles with clothing when outdoors, especially after sunset.
• Check if you need to take medicines to reduce the risk of getting malaria (ask a doctor or pharmacist).
• Ensure you have sufficient anti-malaria medication to last the whole trip.

 

 

General

• If you plan to spend time outdoors, use a 30+ sunscreen and lip balm, particularly in tropical areas or at high altitude.
• Whether you are male or female take condoms with you rather than rely on those bought locally. Always follow safe sex practices.
• Travellers on `adventure' holidays will need specialised advice regarding altitude sickness and other health issues.
• Special preparation may be necessary if you are travelling with children or are over 60 years of age.

 

 

On returning

Always tell a doctor if you have been overseas. Some diseases can take many months to show up. See a doctor after returning home if you get:

• Any fever or flu-like symptoms
• Diarrhoea that won't go away
• Skin problems (e.g., rash)
• Any other unusual symptoms.

 

Source: Pharmaceutical Society

 

 

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