Travel health tips

People who travel overseas have up to a 50 per cent chance of suffering 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 and ask about other immunisations.
• 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 six to eight 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, and before travelling, older travellers should consider:

• 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 insect bites when travelling

Some serious infectious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever, are transmitted by insect bites. While there are vaccines and drugs 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 per cent DEET.
• Stay indoors between dusk and dawn. The mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite generally feed at this time.
• Apply repellent, such as permethrin, to your clothes and bedding.
• 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/AIDS and other sexually transmissible infections are endemic in many countries, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. Safe sex practices are essential.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Travel Clinics Australia Tel. 1300 369 359 (for appointments)
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Advice Tel. 1300 139 281

Things to remember

• Overseas travellers have a 50 per cent chance of suffering from a travel-related illness.
• The most common travel-related sickness is gastrointestinal infection, which is generally picked up from poorly prepared food and untreated water.
• Have a medical check-up to make sure you are healthy before you travel and discuss vaccinations with your doctor.
• Be prepared and aware of health issues when travelling.

You might also be interested in:

• Altitude sickness.
  
• Breastfeeding and travel.
  
• Gastroenteritis - amoebiasis.
  
• Malaria.
  
• Mosquitoes can carry diseases.
  
• Pregnancy and travel.
  
• Travel health - yellow fever immunisation.
  
• Travel immunisation.
  
• Travel safety tips.
  
• Travel tips for seniors.
  
• Traveller's diarrhoea.
  
• Travelling with children.
  

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Travel Clinics Australia

Last reviewed: January 2016

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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Travel_health_tips?open">Travel health tips - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
People who travel overseas may suffer from a travel-related illness. While most travel-related illness is minor, all travellers should be aware of relevant health issues. Update your vaccinations and ask about other immunisations. Organise travel insurance, including cover if you need to be evacuated to a suitable hospital.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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