Journey - Travel Health

We provide you with invaluable information, handy tips and essential guidelines to make your journey safe and sound. Stay in the pink of health!

Prepare to Take off
Stay Fit
Health Management

Prepare to take off

Take a day off to have a medical check up and make sure that all is well with you. A comprehensive medical insurance will help you cover any health emergency while you are on the move. Check for possible disease outbreaks in the area you are travelling to, and ensure you take the necessary precautions. An aware traveller is a healthy traveller.

a) Medical Insurance
b) Immunisations
c) First Aid Kit
d) Personal medical information

a) Medical Insurance

Choose a policy that provides the most comprehensive coverage. Consult your travel or insurance agent for recommendations. You may want to go with a policy that covers ambulance, hospitalisation, medication, possible medical evacuation and/or a flight home. Check to see if the policy will make a direct payment to the hospital instead of your having to first pay and then getting reimbursed.

b) Immunisations

Yellow Fever: If you are travelling to and from the tropical countries of South America and sub Saharan Africa, be sure to get your yellow fever shot.
Consult your GP for any additional inoculations. Some of them are suggested below:

Typhoid vaccine - recommended if you are planning an extended trip to any developing country.
Hepatitis B - if you are travelling to Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands.
Hepatitis A - recommended for all travellers.
Diphtheria and tetanus - take a booster dose if you haven't had one in the last ten years.
Influenza ( Flu ) vaccine - recommended for senior citizens and high risk individuals.
Pneumonococcal vaccine - recommended for senior citizens and high risk individuals.

c) First Aid Kit

Carry some basic medication for those aches and pains while on the move. We provide you a basic list.

Paracetamol - combats fever, bodyache and malaise. Safe to use.
Anti- Histamines (ointments/tablets) - effective in common colds, coughs, insect bites, hives, pollen allergies.
Oral Rehydration Packs
Band Aids
Water Sterilisation tablets
Iodoform Bottle
Sterile gauze and 1 inch plaster (adhesive)
Safety razor, twine (snake bites and tourniquet) and sewing needles for removing thorns and barbs
Anti-Diarrhoea tablets (medically prescribed)
Anti - Malaria (medically prescribed)
Eyedrops

d) Personal medical information

If allergic to any medication, carry a note on your person/wallet. Find out your blood group, if you don't already know, and make a note of it too. If you wear specs or lenses, carry an extra pair alongwith your prescription. Be sure to carry the prescription of medication you maybe on. Generic names will help you get the correct medicine in foreign countries. If diabetic or epileptic, always carry your medication with you.

Stay fit

Keep fit while on the move. There is nothing worse than being out of commission, with a bout of the "loosies". Follow these simple steps to remain in fine fettle, and sound as a bell!

Water and Time

Eliminate chances of getting Delhi Belly or Montezuma's Revenge by eating and drinking sensibly.

Drink only bottled water. When not available, use water purification tablets. If doubtful about the source of water, stay with a hot cup of tea, coffee or aerated drinks. Always remember to brush your teeth with bottled or purified water.

Drink plenty of water/fluids when travelling in hot countries as dehydration suddenly catches up with you.

Eat only freshly cooked Time at clean and well-patronised places. Avoid salads and cut fruit, eat only fruit that you can peel. Do not eat Time that has been left in the open or appears stale. Avoid meat and fish during the summer months in tropical countries.

Health management

Prevention is better than cure. Watch out for symptoms and take remedial action ASAP!

a) Ailments from over-exposure

b) Common diseases

c) Cuts, bites and stings

a) Ailments from over-exposure

Sun - use sunscreens with SPF 20 and more to prevent sunburn. Avoid direct exposure to the sun as far as possible and keep yourself well hydrated to prevent sunstroke. Recognise the symptoms - fatigue, dizziness, high fever and severe headache - and treat immediately.

Snow - Prevent sunburn by using sun protection lotion with high SPF. Wear dark glasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun on snow. Prevent hypothermia by wearing multiple layers of clothes - wool, silk and synthetic fabrics provide excellent insulation. Rule No 1 - keep extremities well covered. A woollen cap reduces the loss of body heat through the head; equally important are a thick pair of gloves and warm woollen socks. Keep dry to avoid frostbite; change out of your damp/wet clothes/socks/gloves as soon as you can. Place your sleeping bag on a water proof sheet at night, as dampness leads to frostbite and hypothermia.

High altitude - Acclimatise before heading north! Watch out for mountain sickness - breathlessness, lethargy, dizziness and headaches. High altitude sickness can be treated only symptomatically, if that doesn’t help, then the best thing is to descend to lower altitudes.

The best way to prevent high altitude sickness is to acclimatize, ascend slowly, drink plenty of fluids, eat light meals and avoid cigarettes, alcohol and sedatives.

Motion sickness - Motion sickness is commonly experienced in boats, cars, trains and planes.Reduce the possibility by eating a light meal before a journey. If prone to motion sickness, take anti nausea medication before the onset of the journey. The same medication will not help once you are already feeling sick.

b) Common diseases

Diarrhoea - Avoid diarrhoea by being careful about what you eat and drink. Drink only bottled water; when not available, use water purification tablets. If doubtful about the source of water, stay with a hot cup of tea, coffee or aerated drinks. Always remember to brush your teeth with bottled or purified water.

Eat only freshly cooked Time at a clean and well-patronised place. Do not eat uncooked salads and cut fruit - eat only fruit that you can peel. Do not eat Time that has been left in the open or looks stale. In tropical countries, avoid meat and fish in the summer months.

Malaria - Endemic to South East and East Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, South and North Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) Indian Subcontinent and Africa. Spread by mosquito bite from infected female Anopheles mosquito, the infection passes into the blood stream and results in high fevers with severe rigors (shivers and chill). SomeTimes, it can develop into Cerebral Malaria, often fatal if not treated in Time.

Before you visit a malaria prone region ask your doctor to prescribe anti malaria tablets. Start taking them well before you arrive at your destination. Once there, be sure to cover your arms and legs; be liberal with the repellent, and in problem areas sleep under a mosquito net. Avoid camping/ resting near stagnant pools and ponds.

Viral fevers - Feed the cold and starve the fever! See a doctor if your fever lasts for more then two days. Take the prescribed medicines. Avoid close contact with people who have cold or other infections.

c) Cuts, ticks and stings

Your first aid kit will come handy. If you cut or bruise yourself, wash the area well, apply antiseptic cream and cover with a bandage.

Avoid sharing bedding, clothes and combs to protect yourself from lice and bugs. If you are in a leech-infested area, wear boots and keep your arms and legs covered. In case a leech attaches itself to your body, do not try to pull it off. Instead use salt or a lighted cigarette to make it fall off.

Bee and wasp stings are usually more painful than serious. But some people may be allergic to bee stings - in such cases use antihistamines and see a doctor. Use calamine lotion or ice to cool the affected area.

How to plan your tours:

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