Overseas travel – health tips
Overseas travel – health tips
About travel-related illness
People who travel overseas have a 50% chance of experiencing a travel-related illness. While most travel-related illness is minor, some very serious infectious diseases are endemic in some parts of the world.
All travellers should be prepared for travel and be aware of health issues and measures to protect themselves from sickness.
Prepare for travel
There are many things you can do to prepare for a healthy holiday, including:
Have a medical check-up. Make sure you are healthy before you travel.
Update your
vaccinations
.
Pack a medical kit for yourself and any children travelling with you. Make sure you pack enough of any medications you need or take a prescription.
Organise travel insurance, including cover if you need to be evacuated to a suitable hospital.
Have a dental check-up.
Have a
vision check
and pack a spare pair of glasses.
Travel vaccinations
You may want to arrange vaccinations or medications to protect against diseases such as
hepatitis
,
typhoid
or
malaria
. In fact, some countries legally require travellers to have certain vaccinations, such as
yellow fever
.
As you will need to have some vaccinations weeks or months before travel, it is best to see your doctor 6 to 8 weeks before you go. However, if you have to travel at short notice, you can still have some vaccines.
Your doctor will be able to advise which vaccines are suitable for you depending on:
your medical history and age
your destination and likely accommodation
the season in which you are travelling
the length of stay
the type of travel, for example, bus tour or backpacking.
Tips for older travellers
For older people, the risk of death or serious illness while travelling is the same, or even less, than staying at home.
However, planning is important, so before travelling:
See your doctor for a check-up and discuss your fitness for the trip you are planning.
See your
dentist
and
optometrist
.
Pack a spare pair of glasses, any medications you need and a small medical kit.
Organise travel health insurance with pre-existing illness cover if needed. Make sure it covers emergency evacuation.
Make sure routine immunisations are up to date and get vaccinated against
influenza
and
pneumonia
.
Consider your back and joints – use luggage with built-in wheels.
Take clothes and hats to suit the climate.
If you are concerned about your health or the health of someone you are travelling with, consider taking an organised holiday.
Tips for travellers with a disability
Travellers with a disability will need to make sure in advance that their needs can be accommodated while travelling and should consider:
making arrangements for wheelchairs, guide dogs and seating needs well in advance
finding out about the medical facilities in the areas you will be visiting
getting a letter from your doctor detailing your medical requirements or conditions
carrying a medical alert bracelet or pendant for specific conditions.
Eating and drinking while travelling
The most common travel-related illnesses are
gastrointestinal diseases
, usually picked up from
poorly prepared foods or untreated water
. To avoid
diarrhoea
,
stomach pains
, nausea and vomiting associated with these illnesses:
Use boiled or bottled water, or water purifiers or tablets.
Avoid ice in drinks.
Avoid
unpasteurised milk
and dairy products.
Avoid fruit and vegetables that have been washed in the local water.
Eat thick-skinned fruit and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and mandarins.
Make sure food is cooked thoroughly and eat it while it’s hot.
Avoid shellfish.
Don’t buy food from street stalls – hotels and busy restaurants are safest.
Take care with
personal hygiene
.
Avoid mosquito bites when travelling
Some serious infectious diseases such as
malaria
,
Zika virus
,
yellow fever
,
Japanese encephalitis
and
dengue fever
, are transmitted by mosquitoes. While there are vaccines and medications available to help protect against some of these diseases, travellers are advised to always protect against mosquito bites.
Some tips include:
Wear mosquito repellent that contains at least 30% DEET or 20% picaridin.
Stay indoors between dusk and dawn. The mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite generally feed at this time.
Clothing, bedding, mosquito nets and tents can be soaked in a safe repellent (such as permethrin) prior to travel.
Wear socks, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors.
Use a bed net.
Stay in air-conditioned, screened accommodation.
Sexually transmissible infections and travel
HIV
and other
sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
are endemic in many countries, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. Always practise
safe sex
by using condoms.
Where to get help
Your GP (doctor)
A doctor, hospital or health service in the area where you are staying
A travel health clinic
Travel Clinics
Australia
External Link
Tel.
1300 369 359
Your travel agent
Your
travel insurance
company
External Link
Smartraveller
External Link
, Australian Government
Immunisation Unit, Department of
Health
External Link
, Victorian Government Email:
immunisation@health.vic.gov.au
National Immunisation
Program
External Link
Tel.
1800 671 811
Australian Government Consular Emergency
Centre
External Link
Tel.
+61 2 6261 3305
(from overseas) or
1300 555 135
(from within Australia) – for urgent assistance while overseas (24 hours, 7 days)
Australian embassy or
consulate
External Link
in the country you are in – most will have a list of local doctors or hospitals. If you do not speak the language, ask for someone who speaks English