Travel Insurance
It’s vital to have all the relevant insurance for your trip abroad. It ensures you are covered for accidents, emergency medical treatment, etc. It’s essential to invest in the right insurance that covers you for your destination country and planned activities. Usually, you must declare any underlying health conditions you may have with your insurance provider. Sometimes it may lead to more expensive insurance depending on the underlying condition you have, but it’s certainly the best practice. If we talk specifically about the UK, then it’s worth noting that all UK citizens are entitled to register for a GHIC card. This provides all UK citizens with access to state-funded healthcare on all temporary stays in EU countries. You can apply for one at ghic.co.uk.
Vaccinations
If you plan to travel, you may need to get vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world. Some examples include yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis A. It’s best to arrange an appointment with your doctor, certified medical professional, or local travel nurse to discuss which ones you will need, as it could vary depending on your holiday destination.
After the pandemic, Covid-19 vaccinations are a strict requirement for some travel destinations outside of the UK such as Australia. It’s essential to check the Covid regulations of your destination country to see their rules and requirements before planning a trip.
Skin Protection
We all need healthy amounts of sun exposure to promote the production of vitamin D in our bodies, this is essential for our health and general wellbeing. However, too much sun can lead to sunburn and is associated with higher risks of skin cancers – usually when exposure is long-term. If you’re traveling to a hot country such as those in the tropics, it’s important to think about protecting your skin while enjoying the sun. It’s usually best to use a combination of shade, clothing, and sunscreen.
Food & Water Precautions
Depending on where you are traveling to, you may be exposed to harmful organisms which cause traveler’s diarrhea. These are spread by the human/animal fecal contamination of food and water due to poor food hygiene, usually from hand to mouth contact after touching contaminated surfaces. You can take measures to protect yourself, such as practicing good food hygiene and avoiding street food and tap water in some countries. Sticking to bottled water is usually advised.
Animal Exposure
Many animals around the world carry disease and certain bacteria in their saliva, thus it is recommended to avoid contact with animals while traveling as the experience of bites and scratches from some can result in severe infection. It’s essential to exercise caution when you travel, especially around stray animals, to reduce the risk of contact. Tetanus and Rabies are well-known infections that can be passed from animals to humans through a bite, lick, or scratch. It’s important to seek urgent medical attention after exposure, especially if it was negative.
In conclusion, there are plenty of ways to protect your health while traveling. It’s important to discuss areas of concern with your GP before travel to ensure your trip is as safe as possible.
