Planning your trip
Most travellers have an enjoyable and safe trip. There are factors to consider before booking your holiday, before you leave and during your travel.
Before you book
Research your destination Is it worth seeing a travel health consultant before you book to understand the risks and its feasibility?
Risks to health Are there risks that you are not happy with?
Book in for a travel health consultation Read up on further information. or https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Consider the recommended vaccines. Can everyone you want to travel with have those vaccines? Yellow fever is the main consideration here as some cannot have the vaccine but may then be at risk of the disease.
Malaria Is there Malaria at your destination and is there anyone high risk in your group?
Medical Conditions Does anyone have medical conditions which need input from their medical consultant prior to booking? Are there issues around travelling with your medication? Does anyone have upcoming hospital appointments or treatment that might affect the holiday?
Travel insurance Can you all get travel insurance at that destination ?
Safe to travel? What is the local, political and environmental situation? This could range from a military coup to a volcano erupting. Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for up to date information.
Before you travel
Book into see a travel health consultant ideally at least 6 weeks before you go if vaccines, malaria tablets or health advice is required. A course of vaccines may be needed with three doses spread over a few weeks for some diseases.
Last minute it is still worth seeing a travel health consultant as some vaccines may still be able to be given and offer some protection.
Travel insurance see separate section. Print it out and give someone at home a copy to keep.
Medication take enough for your trip and some more to spare. Carry in its original packaging with a valid prescription. Some medication might need a letter from a doctor. Discuss in advance with airline if medication needs special measures eg refrigeration. Make sure you can do this at your destination too.
Some countries ban certain medications or restrict amount of medication allowed in. Check for restrictions in advance by contacting the the relevant embassies.
Further information on medication and travel - NathNac and the NHS
First aid kit Pack one relevant to your trip.
Basic items - pain medication, especially liquid forms for children as may not be available, antiseptic, plasters, gauze, dressing, tweezers and a thermometer. Antihistamines, rehydration sachets and anti-diarrhoea medication also useful. Insect repellant and suncream.
Depending on who is going where - mosquito net, impregnated clothes, water purification equipment and condoms. Larger medical kits might need a certificate showing contents to clear customs.
Deep Vein Thrombosis need to consider if travelling over 4 hours.
Those at risk include - previous clot or clotting disorder, the elderly, pregnant women, obese travellers, extremes of height and those taking oestrogen containing contraceptive pills. These travellers may require properly fitted compression socks and advice from a health care provider. Low molecular weight heparin injections maybe recommended for those at high risk. Aspirin is not recommended. Keep mobilising legs regularly, walking or stretching ankles) and stay well hydrated.
During travel
You’ve probably been looking forward to your trip for quite a while. Optimise the chance of having a trouble free holiday and have a read through the key sections on general travel advice. Get in touch if you have any queries.
After you travel
You’ll probably want to plan your next trip!
Symptoms on return especially fever, persistent diarrhoea, dysentery, severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or altered mental state - get medical help. It is helpful to know where you have been and what you were doing.
Malaria can occur up to 6 months after return from a malarial area. Seek urgent medical advice if you have a high fever or feel generally unwell and teak them you have been to a malarial area. You could show a few photos to make them jealous whilst you are at it.
It is vital to continue antimalarial medication after your return for the time recommended to clear malaria protozoa from your body.
Schistosomiasis - fresh water swimming in the tropics consider screening for schistosomiasis. This should be performed about 12 weeks after the last exposure. Travelling medical students coming back from Lake Malawi kept our local Infectious Diseases Clinic busy with this.
References and further information - NathNac, NHS or Travel Aware.