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Health matters
Your health matters. In this section we answer common questions and provide useful tips and advice before you travel abroad.
Hi, I’m Dr Marcus, the GetAbroad medical adviser. I’m here to help and also answer common medical questions about travelling overseas and explain some of the differences you might encounter and what to expect.
Recent events, like the Covid pandemic for example, serve to remind us all that we need to take global health seriously. That doesn’t mean there is anything to be afraid of, but some simple precautions can help to keep you – and everyone, safe and healthy.
Do I need vaccinations before I travel abroad?
This all depends on where you are going to. Generally speaking if you are being deployed within the EU for example travel vaccinations are very rarely required. It is important to distinguish between vaccinations that are required to enter a country, and those that might be a sensible precaution.
Once you know where you are going to travel to you should seek an appointment with either your local doctor, or if you have one, your local travel medicine clinic. They will advise you which vaccinations are required. Officially required vaccinations have to be recored in a special health ‘passport’ which you must carry with you when you travel. An example of this is yellow fever, some countries require anyone who enters to have been vaccinated, other countries only require people coming from ‘at risk’ countires to be vaccinated. So it is important to get the correct advice before you travel.
You can check up to date information about travelling to different countries and what vaccinations might be required by visiting the World Health Organisation’s travel advice section. Just click here for the link.
I mentioned sometimes vaccinations are a sensible precaution. Again, this is a conversation you should have with your own doctor or travel clinic before setting off. If you expect to be involved in high-impact, or contact sports for example then there is alwys the chance you are going to get minor cuts and injuries from time to time. Quite often we would suggest a couple of vaccinations to keep you extra safe, these might include a tetanus and sometimes a hepatitis B vaccination as these can prevent simple wounds becoming infected.
I take regular medication, can I take it with me?
Usually the answer is yes. Again it depends where you are going. If you have prescription medicines that have been prescribed to you within the EU then you can travel within the EU (and the UK) with your medication. It is always a good idea to carry a paper copy of your prescription with you. If you are going to be overseas for an extended period of time then there are special arrangements in place to make sure you can continue to get supplies of the medication you need, but these can vary from country to country. If you have asthma or you are diabetic, as examples, then you may need access to repeat prescriptions on a frequent basis. In some countries you will have to pay for your medications, so talk to your doctor or travel clinic about this before you leave.
Some countires prohibit the import of certain prescription drugs and if these are detected on arrival you can face serious consequences. The movement of drugs (prescription drugs as well as ‘recreational drugs’) across international borders is a very tightly controlled process. Do not rely on other people telling you what is and what isn’t allowed. Make sure you seek out official advice and follow the rules.
What about travel insurance?
Travel (and health) insurance comes in all sorts of different packages. If you are an EU citizen then you should apply for you EU health insurance card; this provides basic health cover in all member states. The UK also has a similar card that now works in the EU. If you are going further afield then you really do need to make sure you are covered – basic cover might not be good enough. If you plan on working on a ranch for example, a basic tourist insurance package probably wouldn’t cover you if you had an accident whilst working, so make sure your policy covers you for what you expect to do. The price difference is often very small, but the benefits are significant.
Also remember, what you might be used to at home as a free service, you might be expected to pay for somewhere else. So again, this is where your insurance comes in.
If there is some emergency will my Embassy or Consulate help me?
Of course the local consulate, or Embassy, will always help you in a serious situation. But they don’t really expect to help when they think there are things you should have done to help yourself. If they have to fly you home for example, then expect to get a bill (and a rather large one!) On the other hand, we always advise people to register with their local consulate because in the event of something like another health emergency, such as Covid, local consulates will assume responsibility for co-ordinating things like return flights if that is deemed officially necessary.
TOP TIP –
Take a photo of your passport, you national ID card, your drving license, even your bank cards. Don’t just keep these on your phone but send them to someone you trust; your parents, or even us. If you phone is stolen or lost, or your documents go missing, having an image of them makes replacements so much much easier to arrange.
So we’ve covered most of the official stuff, now lets answer some of the ‘every day’ questions we get.
I always get a bad stomach when I travel. What causes this and how can I stop it?
‘Travel tummy’ is extremely common, and it can be a bit annoying too. The first thing to say is that not everyone gets it, and there are certainly things you can do to avoid getting it and you can also treat yourself if you do get it.
It is caused by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated. Different climates, and different hygiene practices all play a part – sometimes it is almost impossible to avoid. Stress from travelling itself can also play a big part.
Avoid eating food that has been kept warm for a long period of time, freshly cooked is best. Ice in drinks can upset you until you get used to the local water. If you are eating with you hands then of course wash your hands first – and make sure you do that always when visiting the toilet! You gut will soon adjust to local conditions, if you are keen to sample the local cuisine just take things slowly to start with.
Usual symptoms are a runny tummy, stomach pains (cramps) and very ocassionally vomiting. Normally, this all clears up in a couple of days time during which it is very important to stay well hydrated. Drink bottled or filtered water and avoid any alcohol. If your tummy is very runny then you can get an over-the-counter drug called Loperamide. (It may be sold under a variety of brand names but if you ask a pharmacist for the generic drug they will know what to give you.)
In the very rare case when this doesn’t clear up in a few days, or if you develop a fever (a temperature of 39c or more) then you should seek medical advice.
What about bites and stings?
Once you travel into warmer climates then you will come accross insects that can deliver a bite or a sting. In tropical areas these can be quite prevalent. The first thing to keep in mind is that the vast majority of these are not serious in any way – more annoying than anything.
If you find that you always seem to get a reaction to a bite from something then you might have a sensitivity – some people do. Its a complicated chemical reaction that your body produces and you can calm this down with a medicine known as an anti-histamine. This comes as a cream you can apply to a sting, and also as a tablet that you can take on a daily basis. However, most people won’t need this as bites usually dissapear after a few hours all by themselves.
Mosquitos are famous for causing bites – and in some parts of the worls they are responsible for spreading malaria, which is a dangerous diease. If you are harding to an area that is at risk from malaria you will have to take a daily, or sometimes weekly, ant-malaria drug. Your travel clinic will be able to advise you, and it is very important that you take this drug as directed. Everywhere else mosquito bites are just an irritation – they will go away by themselves. You can get sprays that repel most biting insects, but staying away from damp or wet places is a good idea as they like humid atmospheres. If you are bothered by them at night sleeping under a mosquito net works very well.
Everyone is talking about too much sun these days – what is safe?
Well this really is a tricky one. Years ago it was all the fashion to get a good tan, now we understand that ultra-violet radiation (the sort that comes from the sun) can damage not only our skin, but can damage our chromasomes. These are part of our body’s essential building blocks and if damaged can cause forms of cancer. It is very sensible to avoid too much direct sunlight, and be careful when the sun is at its most powerful (usually in the afternoons). Use sun screen and remember to re-apply it after you have been swimming, a hat is a good idea too. If your skin gets burnt then apply a gentle moisturiser after a shower while your skin is still damp. In the case of a serious sun burn you might need a 1% hydrocortisone cream which a pharmacist will sell you if appropriate. Take a break from the sun and stay covered while your skin heals.
Working outside
It is one thing to visit a hot, sunny, resort when you are on holiday. Your time is your own, if you feel tired you can go and have a lie down, if you are hot you can jump in the pool. A cold beer often does the trick also. If you are working however, things are very different; your time is controlled and there are expectations you have to meet.
So it does sound simple, but it is amazing how many people forget the simple things! Stay out of the direct sun as much as you can, stay covered up, and use sunscreen. It is vital you remain well hydrated, water is the go-to drink, but failing that isotonic drinks that are not fizzy are even better. The moment you start to feel tired, unable to fully concentrate, or worse – you are dehydrated. If you can’t do your job properly then others might be at risk, so this is something you must take seriously.
Lecture over! You can still enjoy yourself in the sunshine, just remember when you are working the work has to come first, so follow the simple advice above.
Sun stroke and heat stroke – what’s the difference? What do you do?
OK, sun stroke and heat stroke are the same thing, we actually call is heat exhaustion these days – and is it very serious indeed. This happens if you get too hot (either as a result of running around, or just being exposed to a high temperature). Usually somone will have a body temperature of 40c or more, often appear confused, might be dizzy and unable to stand, might have a headache or even vomit. This is a very serious medical emergency.
Call for help. Next cover the person with wet sheets or something similar, try to get them to drink cold water. If you can get hold of an isotonic sports drink (nothing fizzy!!) this is much better than water as it will get into their system faster. Watch them carefully, if they become unconscious place them into the recovery position so they can breath. You might have to start CPR – so do not leave them alone until help arrives.
Drink and drugs
Well this can be a tricky subject – sometimes. Many people can enjoy an alcoholic drink responsibly. Most countries around the world restrict the sale of alcoholic drinks to people of a certain age, and strict limits are set regarding the safe level of alcohol in your blood if you intend to drive. Alcohol affects your reactions, it also dehydrates you. It is possible to enjoy an alcoholic drink, but be responsible and remember that the effects of alcohol remain in your system for some time after you stop drinking.
Being drunk in a public place is an offence in many countries, driving while drunk is a criminal matter and has serious consequences.
Drinking to excess is not only very unpleasant, it is very dangerous. If you come across someone who has had too much to drink do not leave them alone, get some help.
Ever since the ‘flower power’ revolution of the late sixties the world has become a place where ‘recreational drugs’ have become commonplace – despite them remaining illegal just about everywhere. So-called ‘Party’ and ‘Rave’ drugs all work by having a direct effect on your brain – many people say the effect is pleasurable, for others it can be a nightmare. A side effect of these drugs often includes a high temperature and fast heart rate – things that can quickly become very dangerous if combined with dehydration.
Accidental overdoses are very common. When you buy street drugs you have no idea what you are buying, the next batch you buy could be ten times stronger then you are used to, or mixed with some toxic compound. You have no idea. Being in posession of illegal drugs, being under their influence, or selling them to others is a criminal matter in just about every jurisdiction. However, if you suspect someone has overdosed or had too much get profesional help without delay. Don’t rely on friends – many drugs can cause rapid changes in people and professional help is needed. The authorities would always rather you call for help then leave someone alone. The consequences really could be fatal, and your conscience would never recover.
You’ve visited our site because you want to become an active citizen. You want to explore new worlds, and experience different cultures. Already your mind is opening to new ideas, new experiences, – so why not join a first-aid course? Why expect someone else to know what to do – when that person could be you?
It is a well proven fact that when somone experiences a sudden cardiac arrest it is not the paramedics who arrive by helicopter that save the person’s life, it is the person nearby who knows what to do in those vital first minutes.
That person could be you.
Saving a life is an experience you will never forget, and it changes you – forever. Besides being able to look after others, you are also better equipped to look after yourself, and those you care about.
I am a huge fan of the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, they are present in just about every country in the world. Look them up locally and think about joing a first-aid course. It could change your life, and someone else’s life – forever.