The travel accessories/supplies you need to take with you on
your trip depend on a number of factors including:
- Where are you going
- How long are you travelling for
- What you'll be doing whilst you are there
- The type of accomodation you are going to stay in
Long-term travellers, and those visiting areas of poor
sanitation, may be more at risk of infectious and tropical diseases
and need to take more precautions than those going on shorter
holidays in high quality accommodation.
The guidance given here, will give you some ideas for the travel
supplies you need to take when travelling to particular areas of
the world.
General for all areas:
Bite Avoidance:
South America- Insects transmit a number of different
infections, including malaria, leishmaniasis, yellow fever,
trypanosomiasis and dengue. There is a risk of these in some
countries in South America, and a high risk of malaria and
yellow fever in the Amazon basin, therefore insect bite
avoidance is essential. All travellers, but particularly
"back-packers" and those visiting friends and family should
consider purchasing:
Further information on bite avoidance - "Malaria, mosquitoes and
other insect bites" (pdf)
Food and Water Precautions
Travellers' diarrhoea is a common problem and may affect up to
60% of travellers. Having sickness and diarrhoea can really ruin a
holiday, so all travellers are advised to take precautions with
food and water whilst abroad.
Ensure you wash your hands before eating or handling foods.
Alcohol disinfectant gel is handy whilst travelling, so that you
can quickly cleanse your hands when there is no soap and water
available. To ensure that you have clean water to drink wherever
you are, you should also consider taking water purification
products with you:
Further information about food and water precautions - download
patient information leaflet: "Travellers' Diarrhoea" (pdf)
Diarrhoea Kits:
Travellers going off the beaten track or those with inflammatory
bowel disease may also want to consider purchasing a diarrhoea kit,
which we sell at our clinics. Diarrhoea kits include sachets of
oral rehydration solution (ORS), a scoop to make your own ORS,
Loperamide capsules and an information leaflet. We stock a
diarrhoea kit with or without the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. Drop in
to see one of our nurses to get a diarrhoea kit for your trip.
Backpackers:
Backpackers and those travelling off the beaten track often have
additional needs to those staying in high quality accommodation.
Additional vaccines are often recommended .e.g. rabies vaccine and
hepatitis B. You may also need to take additional kit with you to
enable you to travel light and stay healthy.
You should consider taking:
- A sterile kit
- A first aid kit
- Diarrhoea kit (with antibiotics)
- Biosoap-useful all in one
product, saves on space
Mountains and lakes:
For those travellers, rapidly ascending to areas at altitude
Acetazolomide (Diamox) is sometimes suggested. This drug aids
acclimatisation. It cannot be bought over the counter at a chemist.
We stock Acetazolomide in our clinics, so drop in and see one of
our nurses to discuss whether it is suitable for you and your
planned trip.
If you are travelling at high altitude during your trip you may
wish to understand more about altitude related problems.
Further information on Acute Mountain Sickness - insert link to
patient Information leaflet: "Acute Mountain Sickness" (pdf)
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia):
Is a worm (blood fluke) infection affecting humans. Transmission
occurs through direct contact with infected fresh water in rivers,
lakes, streams, dams and rock pools. The immature form of the blood
fluke is released from fresh water snails and penetrates the skin
and occasionally through the lining of the mouth. Bilharzia is
present in limited areas of South America; ask one of our nurses
during your consultation whether Bilharzia is a problem where you
are travelling.
There is no preventative treatment for Bilharzia, so travellers
need to avoid swimming, wading and washing in infected water and
drinking untreated fresh water. However, if you are exposed then
seek advice about screening as this infection is easily
treated.
