Vacation bound? Here are a few tips that should keep you happy and healthy whether you are frolicking on a Mexican beach, climbing mountains in Nepal or presenting a business plan in Hong Kong. Staying healthy during your travel requires that you use your common sense, follow reasonable precautions with respect to food and water and becoming knowledgeable of the health risks in the countries on your itinerary.
Speak with a Health Care Professional
Make an appointment with The Travel Immunization Clinic (519-663-3395 or 1-888-426-6165) if your family doctor is not familiar with travel medicine. Travelhealth experts will tell you what immunizations you need and what antimalarial or antidiarrheal medication you should take with you. Some immunization series take many weeks to complete, so book your appointment at least 2 months before your departure. Carry a copy of immunization record with you during your travels. Look into medical insurance plans. It's a must! You may obtain a directory of English speaking physicians throughout the world by contacting the International Association of Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT), 40 Regal Road, Guelph Ontario, N1K 1B5. Phone # (519) 836-0102.
Acclimatize
By acclimatization, we mean the process of enabling your body and its biorhythms to adjust and adapt to new environments or time zones. This adjustment can be made easier by the ways in which you combat jet lag, motion sickness or high altitude sickness, by the clothing you wear or by your choice of fluid and salt intake and by the protective measures you use to avoid excessive sun and heat.
Protect yourself from Insects - Take Mosquitoes Seriously!
Many potentially serious diseases are transmitted by insects. Diseases such as malaria, yellow-fever, dengue fever, encephalitis are transmitted by mosquitoes. A good insect repellent (containing DEET), long pants and sleeves and mosquito netting for the sleeping area all provide important protection.
Protect your Feet
Avoid barefeet! Proper footwear can protect the traveller from cuts and reduce the risk of tetanus (lockjaw) infection. Emergency care in foreign countries for serious cuts could not only mean exposure to contaminated needles but in turn put you at serious risk of contracting HIV, the Hepatitis B, and the Hepatitis C virus! If choosing to walk barefeet, there also exists the possibility of picking up bacteria and infections from direct skin contact with sand or soil contaminated by dog or cat excrement.
Make sure that your Drinking Water is Purified
Contaminated water is one of the leading causes of diarrhea. Drinking ONLY bottled or boiled water and carbonated beverages is your best way to avoid this condition. Water can be purified with a variety of chemical disinfectants or portable purifiers. A word of warning! A Five Star hotel is not necessarily a guarantee of a safe water source. Also, be careful of ice-cubes. Remember that a block of ice is a cube of water.
Boil it, Cook it or Forget it
Make sure that your food (e.g. pork, seafood, raw fish etc.) is well cooked and still hot when it is served. This will save your digestive tract from upset and infections. Milk products should be avoided unless they are pasteurized.
Wash it, Peel it or Forget it
Eat only fresh fruit and vegetables that you have cleaned or peeled yourself. The skin of fruit and vegetables particularly leafy vegetables like lettuce can hold bacteria. Avoid melons altogether. Vegetables may have been grown in night soil (human feces) or washed with contaminated water.
Take Personal Precautions and Remember your Medications
Carry an adequate supply of prescription medications to last for the duration of your stay. Prescription drugs should be carried in their original containers with proper labels. Keep a record of your medications with the trade (brand) name of the drug as well as it generic (chemical) name. Take your anti-malarial medications as recommended. You are also reminded of the risk of acquiring AIDS, Hepatitis B and C from sexual contacts, unsterile injections or blood transfusions or tattooing.
Don't Swim in Fresh Water
Stay out of slow-moving fresh water lakes or rivers. These waters may harbour parasites that can cause a worm infection called Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis). Ask before you swim or use the ocean or chlorinated pools for a healthy swim.
Carefully Consider your Means of Transportation
Motor vehicle accidents are the major cause of accidental death in travellers. Since rules of the road are not obeyed or are non-existent in most developing countries, you should avoid riding on a motorcycle, driving at night in rural areas and travelling in overcrowded or poor maintained vehicles.
For more information call
The Travel Immunization Clinic
50 King Street
London, ON N6A 5L7
Phone (519) 663-3395 or 1-888-426-6165
travel@mlhu.on.ca