Selective Asia considers your health and safety to be of the utmost importance whilst travelling with us. We’ve invited our medical expert, Dr Dominic Bray, to give us his insider tips on how you can stay fit and well whilst travelling Asia.
Before you depart
Vaccinations
You will undoubtedly require vaccinations for your trip. If you have travelled recently and believe that you are already ‘up to date’ with your vaccinations, it is always worth checking as vaccinations have a varying life span. Whilst no country in Asia requires proof upon entry it is very advisable that you follow medical guidelines. A nurse at your GP's or doctors surgery will be able to help you with any vaccination requirements you may have – this service is often free. You can use a specialist vaccination clinic for this service; however they can be expensive.
Malaria
Again, your nurse or a specialist clinic will be able to help you do all that is possible to protect yourself from Malaria. Follow the instructions carefully on any medication you are offered and always complete the full prescription period. Failure to do so can put you at great risk.
For information on worldwide high risk areas visit – www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Children
It is often advised that children of a very young age should not receive certain vaccinations or take malaria tablets. Please consult your GP or doctor for further information.
Once you are abroad
Water
Diseases can be caught from drinking contaminated water. It is advisable to only use bottled water which can be found throughout Asia or water provided by your hotel and in good restaurants.
This includes ice cubes in drinks and water for cleaning your teeth.
Food
Contaminated food is the most common source of many diseases abroad. You can help prevent it by following these guidelines:
- Only eat well cook and well stored food
- Avoid left over and reheated foods
- It is advisable to stick to fruit that you can peal.
- Never drink un-pasteurised milk
- Avoid locally made ice cream
Dr Bray adds: “Whilst it’s important to take note of these guidelines common sense should be used to avoid missing out on some incredible culinary experiences! If you are travelling near the coast then the shellfish and seafood is more likely to have been caught that day and should present you with no problems. Use your judgment as to a local restaurant or markets’ standard of hygiene.”
Personal Hygiene
Always wash your hands with soap and clean water after going to the toilet, before eating and before handling food.
Travellers’ Diarrhoea
This is the most common illness that you will be exposed to abroad and there is no vaccine against it. Eating and/or drinking food and water contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites cause traveller's diarrhoea. Asia is considered to be a high-risk area.
You can certainly help prevent travellers’ diarrhoea in the way you behave - make sure you follow the food, water and personal hygiene guidelines already given.
Travellers’ diarrhoea is classed as four or more loose stools in a 24-hour period often accompanied by stomach pain, cramps and vomiting. It usually lasts two to four days and whilst it is not a life threatening illness it can disrupt your trip for several days. The main danger of the illness is dehydration, and this, if very severe, can kill if not treated. Treatment is therefore rehydration. In severe cases and particularly in young children and the elderly, commercially prepared dehydration solution is extremely useful. This can be bought in tablet or sachet form at a chemist shop.
Anti Diarrhoeal Tablets can be used for adults but should never be used in children under four years of age, and only on prescription for children aged four to 12 years. Commonly used tablets are IMODIUMÒ and LOMOTILÒ.
None of these tablets should ever be used if the person has a temperature or blood in the stool.
Do seek medical help if the affected person has
- A temperature
- Blood in the diarrhoea
- Diarrhoea for more than 48 hours (or 24 hours in children)
- Becomes confused
In very special circumstances, antibiotics are used for diarrhoea, but this decision should only be made by a doctor.
(A woman taking the oral contraceptive pill may not have full contraceptive protection if she has had diarrhoea and vomiting. Extra precautions must be used - refer to your ‘pill’ information leaflet. If using condoms, use products with the British Kite Mark.)
Hepatitis B and HIV Infection
These diseases can be transmitted by
1. Blood transfusion
2. Medical procedures with non-sterile equipment
3. Sharing of needles (e.g. tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture and drug abuse)
4. Sexual contact.
Ways to protect yourself:
- Only accept a blood transfusion when essential
- If travelling to a developing country, take a sterile medical kit
- Avoid procedures e.g. ear, body piercing, tattooing and acupuncture
- Avoid casual sex, especially without using condoms
- Insect Bites
Mosquitoes
Certain types of mosquitoes, flies, ticks and bugs can cause many different diseases. e.g. malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever. Some bite at night, but some during daytime.
To help avoid being bitten, try:
- Covering up skin as much as possible if going out at night, (mosquitoes that transmit malaria bite from dusk until dawn). Wear light coloured clothes, long sleeves, trousers or long skirts.
- Use insect repellents on exposed skin. (Choose those containing DEET or eucalyptus oil base. A content of approximately 35% DEET is recommended for tropical destinations.) Clothes can be sprayed with repellents too. Impregnated wrist and ankle bands are also available. Check suitability for children on the individual products.
- If room is not air conditioned, but screened, close shutters early evening and spray room with knockdown insecticide spray. In malarious regions, if camping, or sleeping in unprotected accommodation, always sleep under a mosquito net (impregnated with permethrin). Avoid camping near areas of stagnant water as these are common breeding areas for mosquitoes etc.
- Electric insecticide vaporisers are very effective as long as there are no power failures!
- Electric buzzers, garlic and vitamin B are ineffective.
Animal Bites
Rabies is present in many parts of the world.
Do not touch any animal, even dogs and cats
If you are licked on broken skin or bitten by an animal you suspect of having rabies, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for 5 minutes and seek medical advice immediately
Accidents
Major leading causes of death in travellers are due to swimming and traffic accidents. You can help prevent them by taking the following
Precautionary guidelines Avoid alcohol and food before swimming
Never dive into water where the depth is uncertain
Only swim in safe water, check currents, sharks, jellyfish etc.
Avoid alcohol when driving, no matter what the local law.
Insurance Cover
Take out adequate insurance cover for your trip. This should include medical repatriation as this service if needed is extremely expensive.
If you have any pre existing medical conditions, make sure you inform the insurance company of these details and check the small print of the policy thoroughly.
For details of our insurance click here
Air Travel
It is sensible on any long haul flight to
Be comfortable in your seat
Exercise your legs, feet and toes while sitting every half an hour or so and take short walks whenever feasible. Upper body and breathing exercises can further improve circulation
Drink plenty of water and be sensible about alcohol intake which in excess leads to dehydration
Further information can be obtained from the Department of Health website detailed below with more specific advice and information on travel-related deep vein thrombosis.
For more details on flying click here
Sun and Heat
Sunburn and heat stroke cause serious problems in travellers, but in the long term can be a serious cause of skin cancer. There is no such thing as a safe suntan but the following advice should be taken.
Precautionary guidelines
- Increase sun exposure gradually, 20 minutes limit initially.
- Use sun blocks of appropriate adequate ‘SPF’ strength but a minimum of SPF 15. Children under 3 years should have a minimum SPF 25 and babies under 6 months should be kept out of the sun at all times. Reapply often and always after swimming and washing. Read manufacturer instructions
- Wear protective clothing – sunhats, T-shirts and sunglasses etc.
- Avoid going out between 11am - 3pm when the suns rays are strongest.
- Take special care of children and those with pale skin/red hair.
- Drink extra fluids in a hot climate.
- Be aware that alcohol can make you dehydrated
Have a happy and healthy holiday.