HEALTH ADVICE WHILE TRAVELLING

Aleppy boils,Kyasunura forest disease ,Defy Delhi belly, Freetown filaria, Cotswold cold and Manila malaria - be health wise and travel right. Take preventive pills, keep at bay potential ills and cut out on medical bills . In this post,I shall try to provide you with invaluable information, handy tips and essential guidelines to make your journey safe and sound. Stay in the pink of health .

Prepare to take off

Take a day off to have a medical check up and make sure that all is well with you. A comprehensive medical insurance will help you cover any health emergency while you are on the move. Check for possible disease outbreaks in the area you are travelling to, and ensure you take the necessary precautions. An aware traveller is a healthy traveller.

a) Medical Insurance
b)Immunisations
c)First Aid Kit
d)Personal medical information

a) Medical Insurance

Choose a policy that provides the most comprehensive coverage. Consult your travel or insurance agent for recommendations. You may want to go with a policy that covers ambulance, hospitalisation, medication, possible medical evacuation and/or a flight home. Check to see if the policy will make a direct payment to the hospital instead of your having to first pay and then getting reimbursed.

b) Immunisations

Yellow Fever: If you are travelling to and from the tropical countries of South America and sub Saharan Africa, be sure to get your yellow fever shot.
Consult your GP for any additional inoculations. Some of them are suggested below:
Typhoid vaccine – recommended if you are planning an extended trip to any developing country.
Hepatitis B – if you are travelling to Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands.
Hepatitis A – recommended for all travellers.
Diphtheria and tetanus – take a booster dose if you haven’t had one in the last ten years.
Influenza ( Flu ) vaccine - recommended for senior citizens and high risk individuals.
Pneumonococcal vaccine - recommended for senior citizens and high risk individuals.

c) First Aid Kit
Carry some basic medication for those aches and pains while on the move. I shall provide you a basic list.

Paracetamol - combats fever, body ache and malaise. Safe to use.
Anti- Histamines (ointments/tablets) - effective in common colds, coughs, insect bites, hives, pollen allergies. some of them are Tab.ALLEGRA 120mg & Tab.ATARAX 10mg etc
Oral Rehydration Packs - you can carry ELECTRAL / RELYTE /WALYTE / PUNARJAL
Band Aids
Water Sterilisation tablets
Iodoform Bottle
Sterile gauze and 1 inch plaster (adhesive)
Safety razor, twine (snake bites and tourniquet) and sewing needles for removing thorns and barbs
Anti-Diarrhoea tablets (medically prescribed)
Anti – Malaria (medically prescribed)
Eyedrops

d) Personal medical information

If allergic to any medication, carry a note on your person/wallet. Find out your blood group, if you don’t already know, and make a note of it too. If you wear specs or lenses, carry an extra pair along with your prescription. Be sure to carry the prescription of medication you maybe on. Generic names will help you get the correct medicine in foreign countries. If diabetic ,hypertensive or epileptic, always carry your medication with you.