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Travel Health

Taking care of your health in preparation for a trip or during your trip can help prevent illness, injury and negative consequences. It is important you speak to your local GP about your health options before your trip.

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When travelling, you are in a new location and do not have the benefits of your normal health care provisions or medical systems available to you at home. It is important for you to find out which medical services and facilities are available to you in your travel destination and which vaccines you will need before you go on your holiday.

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Despite age, health or your destination, it is important to know where to locate medical services at your holiday destination. It is also important to gain an understanding of the food and water situation where you are travelling, as, some destinations have water and food supplies that can unfortunately put you at risk of infections such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and gastritis.

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It is important to ensure that you take precautionary measures to avoid contaminated food and water and enforce proper hygiene and make sure that regular hand washing becomes a regular part of your daily itinerary. In locations with poor water or food supplies, it is strongly advised that you do not get ice in your drink, drink bottled water, make sure you use bottle water to brush your teeth, avoid uncooked food and salads and only eat fruits that you yourself can peal.

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In certain areas of the world animals and insects can be dangerous or infection. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to protect yourself from injury or disease and whether any vaccination or medications can be taken in precaution to exposure to certain animals on your holiday.

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In some areas of the world mosquitos can carry and transmit diseases such as malaria, yellow fever or dengue fever and other animal or ticks can transmit lyme disease or rabies. It is best to avoid touching these insects and or animals and taking precautionary measures to ensure that your health and safely are not compromised on the trip.

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The extreme hot or cold climates of some locations in the world can have an adverse effect on the human body. It is important to build up your immune system before traveling to a new location and to be aware of any influenza, common colds or vaccinations available before you travel.

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If you plan to do a lot more physical activity or travel to higher altitudes on your holiday you should also pace yourself and ensure that you have plenty of water, gradually build up your fitness and do not over exert.

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In some countries feminine hygiene products, nappies and condoms are unreliable or not readily available. Be sure to take your own supply to these countries to avoid the risk of pregnancy, infection, STI or poor hygiene.

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It is always a good idea to carry a medical supply or first aid kit with you when traveling and to ensure that your medication is available or able to be taken into the country. A letter from your doctor regarding your medications may be required in some locations and injectable medicine will need assessment before you decide to go on a trip. If you are buying needles or syringes overseas, please ensure they are sterile and sealed to avoid disease.

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It is also important to discuss with your local GP what type of insurance and medication will be available to you in your travel destination.

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