Pharmacy 777 Vitamin and Health Solutions

Traveller's Tips

You are about to embark on an overseas journey – the last thing you want is to be ill prepared! Remember that prevention is always better than the cure.  Make sure you are fully prepared for your time overseas, and are alert to potential risks to your health while you are abroad.

·         Always consult with your Doctor at least 2 months before travelling to ensure you are up to date with your immunisation schedule.  You should be immunised against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, polio, diptheria, tetanus and influenza.  Immunisation against other diseases such as hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis may be recommended if travelling to areas where these diseases are more common.  Useful website: www.cdc.gov/travel

·         Always travel with a first aid kit, which contains at least the following: sunscreen, insect repellent, antiseptic, dressings, simple analgesics, anti-diarrhoeal medication and oral re-hydration sachets.  Oral re-hydration prevents dehydration occurring with diarrhoea and is especially important in children and the elderly.  Your pharmacist can help with advice on contents for your first aid kit.

·         Gastro-intestinal disease affects 20-50% of travellers.  The following precautions are recommended against GI infections, particularly in areas where hygiene is poor.

1.      Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.

2.      Avoid eating cold meats, salads and raw or cold seafood.  Avoid drinking unpasteurised milk, dairy products, ice in drinks and ice blocks.

3.      If you need to disinfect the water supply, boil the water for at least 1 minute before drinking or use iodine tablets or water purifiers.

4.      Drinks, which are sealed or are prepared from boiling water, are safe.  Avoid using any ice in drinks or drinking from glassware that may be contaminated.

STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU DO GET SICK:

·         Oral re-hydration is the first step and is the most important as dehydration

 can occur rapidly with diarrhoea.

·         Treat adults with anti-diarrhoeal medication (not to be used in children). 

Charcoal tablets are also useful for stomach upset.

·         See a Doctor if diarrhoea and/or vomiting are severe or persistent

MALARIA:

·         When travelling to areas within Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Central and

South America, there is a risk of contracting malaria from mosquito bites.  Speak

With your Doctor about taking antimalarial medications prior to travel.  Symptoms

of malaria include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, diarrhoea and malaise. 

Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect you have been infected with Malaria.

·         The best protection against malaria is to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.  Use a

repellent containing up to 50% DEET or Picaridin.

For More information, consult your Pharmacist at Pharmacy Help

Cottesloe on 9384 0051, or contact your Doctor.

Useful websites:

            www.smarttraveller.gov.au  

    www.who.int/ith 

  www.cdc.gov/travel

Security of our personal belongings and hard-earned money is of paramount importance when travelling abroad.  Here are a few important things for you to do before you take off….

1.      Photocopy the contents of your wallet.  Do both sides of your licence

And credit cards.  This way you will know exactly what was in your

Wallet if it is stolen, and you will know which cards to cancel.

      Keep the photocopies in a separate and safe place.

2.      Photocopy your passport and keep in a separate place to where your

Passport is kept.

3.      Keep a list of all of your travellers cheques numbers so these can be

Cancelled if stolen.

If you do have your wallet or passport stolen while abroad:

·         Cancel all credit cards immediately (see later for numbers)

·         File a police report immediately (this will be required for any insurance claims)

·         Call the 3 national credit-reporting organisations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name. (this will stop any thieves using your information)

Here is a list of important numbers you may require, copy down those which apply to you and keep in a safe place (separate to your wallet)