The Trouble with Travel

Recent news reports have indicated that this is a great time for Australians to travel.  We have a strong dollar and presently airline travel packages are apparently the best value they’ve been for quite a few years.

Meanwhile, a Newsweek magazine survey has rated Australia fourth in its rankings of the “best countries in the world”.  So there should be plenty to see and do at home.  But if you want the excitement of adventure, remember misadventure can sometimes be close by.

The reality is, of course, that while accidents are always possible when travelling, we are at much greater risk of becoming ill as a result of a disease which we are ill-prepared to treat or prevent – that is, poor planning prior to departure.

Statistics show that the likelihood of experiencing a travel-related illness while overseas is almost 50%.  Despite this, travel health is largely ignored.  More than 240 years ago, Captain James Cook was sailing across the Tasman towards Botany Bay.  He kept his crew healthy with plenty of fresh vegetables and lemon juice in the diet.  And while scurvy shouldn’t be a problem these days on a quick plane trip from Australia, Captain Cook could certainly give us some pointers on how to prepare for an extended time away from home.

No doubt, the first thing to consider is what vaccinations you need.  Before going overseas, all travellers should be up-to-date with vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio.  Vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B is also advisable.

Depending on your destination and proposed accommodation, vaccination for hepatitis A, yellow fever, meningococcal meningitis and rabies may also be recommended.  And the list is not complete.  The important thing is to check with your GP about 6-8 weeks before travel.

A few injections and a sore arm now are a small price to pay for a trouble-free trip later on.

Diseases spread by biting insects, bugs or parasites are a particular problem in developing countries; and you don’t have to go too far off the beaten track to be at risk.

Malaria is the most common disease in this category. Malaria kills quickly and quietly.  In Africa, someone dies from malaria every 10 seconds – compelling reasons to take precautions against malaria; yet, research has shown, when travelling to high risk areas, only 40% of Australians carry antimalarial medication.

Medications, important as they are, play only a part in malaria prevention.  Most important is not to get bitten by the parasite-bearing mosquito.  So the appropriate use of insect repellents and bed nets is essential as well as cover-up clothing, especially between dusk and dawn.

Generally not quite so serious but still causing great discomfort are conditions such as travellers’ diarrhoea.

“Travellers’ diarrhoea” is something almost all of us will have suffered at some time; Montezuma doesn’t only take his revenge in Mexico, and Delhi belly is not confined to people enjoying Indian cooking.  Upset tummies can be an inconvenience anywhere away from home.  There are some simple medications to take with you that make a great addition to any travel insurance policy.  Ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

In fact, a basic first-aid kit should be one of the first things packed when you travel – ideally carried in your hand luggage.  And don’t forget to take sufficient prescription medicines to last the duration of your travel.

So before you take off for your next holiday or business trip overseas, take off to your Self Care Pharmacy and pick up the Travel Health information fact card.  Call the Pharmaceutical Society (PSA) on 1300 369 772 for the nearest location or log onto the PSA at www.psa.org.au and click on Self Care Pharmacy Finder.