Dr Shreya Singhal is at present practising as a junior physician and Educational Basis Trainee working in West London, in addition to being a eager backpacker. She has labored in Infectious Illnesses and Basic Follow and has shared her prime ideas for individuals trying to journey this summer season.
Plenty of individuals can be travelling overseas this yr. I’ve written this weblog as a useful information on journey safely and minimise dangers to your well being, the following tips may be utilized by these setting off for an journey of a lifetime or these simply searching for every week of summer season sunshine.
The dangers to your well being fluctuate relying on the kind of journey you’re happening – so whether or not you’re off for every week of sunbathing or taking a lengthier backpacking journey, it’s value being ready. It’s essential to check your destination earlier than you journey and be ready by staying updated with the most recent outbreaks and occasions.
Earlier than you journey
Vaccinations/pre-medications
Earlier than you journey, it is important to make sure you are updated together with your UK vaccination schedule, each on your safety and for the good thing about the well being of the these round you.
Many international locations have totally different ailments circulating and a few of these may doubtlessly be harmful. It’s attainable to select up an sickness that we don’t routinely see within the UK, and essential to do not forget that some can have severe penalties for weak individuals.
Viruses similar to measles is extra frequent in some elements of Africa, Asia and the mainland Europe, so please verify that you’re updated together with your childhood vaccine schedule.
You might want extra vaccinations and preventative drugs for the international locations you might be visiting. For instance, for those who’re visiting elements of rural Asia and the Far East Japanese encephalitis could also be a danger , and the vaccination could also be really helpful.
There are additionally locations the place the rabies vaccination could also be wanted and; for malaria danger areas, it’s possible you’ll must take malaria prevention tablets; it’s essential to remember that some international locations require proof of yellow fever vaccination even when there is no such thing as a danger of an infection.
All the time check your country of travel for recommended vaccinations, assessment the NHS Advice on Travel Vaccinations and hold a detailed eye on outbreaks in your country of travel.
For recommendation on vaccinations and preventative medicines, you may contact your native journey well being clinic or GP surgical procedure. With most vaccines it’s suggested you prepare your vaccination 4-6 weeks earlier than you arrive at your vacation spot.
Different elements to think about
- Your personal underlying well being must be steady earlier than travelling. Carry your personal remedy provides enough for the size of your journey (e.g. when you have bronchial asthma, be sure to carry your inhalers and rescue packs).
- Carry frequent medicines or a small first assist package you would possibly want, as you have no idea what medicines/provisions the nation you might be travelling to may have.
- It’s additionally essential to verify the principles round utilizing and importing remedy in your goal nation, what may be a standard remedy within the UK could possibly be outlawed in one other.
Throughout your journey
Basic well being measures
While overseas, particularly in additional distant/rural locations, be thoughtful of hand hygiene, your water provide, meals security, sun exposure, and your sexual well being.
Make sure to pack condoms, suncream and hand sanitiser earlier than you allow and the place attainable drink bottled water and wash your arms with cleaning soap and heat water after utilizing the bathroom and earlier than consuming. For basic recommendation, this helpful blog covers prime ideas for every of those.
It’s extra frequent in some international locations however traveller’s diarrhoea, which ends from consuming unsafe meals/water, is one thing to pay attention to. You possibly can have fairly vital fluid loss from this, so for those who expertise these signs while travelling, it’s a good suggestion to take a number of relaxation, drink loads of bottled fluids – if attainable topped up with rehydration salts (In the event you really feel significantly unwell, search medical consideration while overseas as it’s possible you’ll require medical remedy for dehydration).
Specific ailments value being conscious of
Mosquito bites are a specific danger, and may trigger malaria, dengue, chikungunya, amongst many different ailments. Mosquito bite avoidance advice consists of carrying long-sleeved clothes to cowl uncovered pores and skin, utilizing repellents (at the least 50% DEET), and mosquito nets.
Suspected malaria is a medical emergency and have to be rapidly identified and handled. In the event you go to a malaria danger nation, which embrace international locations in massive areas of Africa, Asia and Central and South America, and have a fever, flu-like signs or any uncommon signs throughout or after travelling you could get pressing medical consideration. Don’t wait till you come back to the UK if you’re unwell.
Rabies is transmitted by a chunk or scratch from an contaminated animal, often a canine, and may be deadly if not recognised, or as a result of post-exposure remedy will not be accessible.
Keep away from animal bites, and verify for those who would profit from a pre-exposure vaccine. All travellers who’ve a attainable publicity to the rabies virus, whether or not by bites, scratches, or different means, ought to search medical recommendation at once. You could find full rabies recommendation here.
Sexual well being
Practising safer intercourse while overseas will scale back the chance of STIs and HIV, in addition to infections that unfold via shut private contact similar to mpox.
You possibly can scale back your danger through the use of condoms and having an open dialog about HIV, STIs and Mpox earlier than any sexual contact, and keep away from sharing objects similar to towels, clothes or bedding with somebody who has mpox or mpox signs.
Mpox is a virus which may be unfold from an contaminated animal to an individual, or by shut private contact with an individual with Mpox or supplies the place an individual has shed the virus.
Signs embrace fever, headache, muscle ache, joint ache, and a rash with scabs which frequently begins on the face then spreads to different elements of the physique which may embrace the mouth, genitals and anus (thought-about contagious till all scabs fall off and pores and skin is unbroken).
In 2022, there was a global outbreak of mpox throughout greater than 100 international locations, the place mpox was unfold throughout sexual contact, significantly amongst males who’re homosexual, bisexual or have intercourse with different males, and a few international locations are nonetheless reporting new infections.
These in danger, together with those that have been involved with somebody who has mpox, might be able to get the mpox vaccination. Extra info may be discovered here.
You probably have had condomless intercourse while overseas, get your self examined for STIs earlier than having intercourse with anybody else – depending on where you live you could possibly get a self-sampling kit or just attend your local sexual health clinic.
Returning to the UK
If you return to the UK, for those who really feel unwell, search medical consideration and make sure you inform your healthcare supplier that you’ve got been travelling just lately.
