Travelling with children or elderly family members? Good health is your best travel companion. Kids and seniors are more prone to infections picked up from food, insects or close contact, but a few simple steps, from packing essential medicines to getting the right vaccinations, can help keep everyone safe and your trip worry-free.
Here are some tips as you prepare for overseas travel:
Keep your trip worry-free by packing a few medications and first-aid essentials, just in case. Recommended items include:
- Pain and fever relief (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen)
- Antihistamines for allergies or insect bites
- Medicines for a runny or blocked nose and cough
- Motion sickness or nausea tablets
- Sore throat lozenges
- Charcoal or anti-diarrhoea medicines
- Oral rehydration salts and antacids
For basic first aid, pack items like antiseptic cream, blister plasters, wound dressings, insect repellent (look for one that contains the ingredient DEET to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away), and a thermometer.
Different destinations come with different risks. Common travel-related vaccinations include for:
- Hepatitis A and B: Spread through contaminated food, drink or body fluids.
- Typhoid: Caused by bacteria found in contaminated food or water.
- Yellow Fever, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Meningococcal Disease: Transmitted by infected animals or insects in some regions.
If your trip is near the end of the year, it also helps to get a flu jab, as it is peak flu season in many countries.
Flu viruses change from year to year, which means your body’s immunity from past vaccinations or infections may no longer protect you. Getting your flu jab annually ensures you’re protected against the latest circulating strains. This helps reduce your risk of falling sick, missing work or school, and spreading the virus to loved ones.
Finally, when you arrive at your destination, remember that a few simple habits can go a long way in keeping you healthy throughout your trip. Do:
- Drink only bottled or boiled water and eat at clean establishments.
- Wash your hands frequently or use sanitiser.
- Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves in mosquito-prone areas.
- Avoid close contact with wild animals.
- Rest well, stay hydrated and listen to your body.
Unsure what medication to pack or if you need a vaccination? Visit any Unity stores with Pharmacy Services and speak with our friendly pharmacists for personalised advice, travel-friendly medicines and even a vaccination before you fly. We’re here to help you prepare for your trip so you can travel safely, confidently and worry-free.
