Travel Advice

International travel can pose various risks to health. Travellers may encounter sudden and significant changes in altitude, humidity, microbes and temperature, which can result in ill-health. In addition, serious health risks may arise in areas where accommodation is of poor quality, hygiene and sanitation are inadequate, medical services are not well developed and clean water is unavailable.

All people planning travel should know about the potential hazards of the countries they are travelling to and learn how to minimize their risk of acquiring these diseases. Forward planning, appropriate preventive measures and careful precautions can substantially reduce the risks of adverse health consequences.

Destinations where accommodation, hygiene and sanitation, medical care and water quality are of a high standard pose relatively few serious risks for the health of travellers, unless there is pre-existing illness. This also applies to business travellers and tourists visiting most major cities and tourist centres and staying in good quality accommodation. In contrast, destinations where accommodation is of poor quality, hygiene and sanitation are inadequate, medical services do not exist, and clean water is unavailable may pose serious risks for the health of travellers.

The duration of the visit and the behaviour and lifestyle of the traveller are important in determining the likelihood of exposure to infectious agents and will influence decisions on the need for certain vaccinations or anti-malarial medication. The duration of the visit may also determine whether the traveller may be subjected to marked changes in temperature and humidity during the visit, or to prolonged exposure to atmospheric pollution.

Medical consultation before travel

Travellers intending to visit a destination in a foreign country should consult a medical practitioner before the journey. This consultation should take place at least 4–8 weeks before the journey, and preferably earlier if long-term travel or overseas work is envisaged.

The consultation will determine the need for any vaccinations and/or antimalarial medication, as well as any other medical items that the traveller may require. A basic medical kit will be prescribed or provided, supplemented as appropriate to meet individual needs.

Medical kit and toilet items

Sufficient medical supplies should be carried to meet all foreseeable needs for the duration of the trip.

Travel Tips

1.    To beat jetlag, book an overnight flight or one that arrives in the evening when travelling east so you can either catch your sleep on the flight or as soon as you get in to your destination.

2.    To prevent the swelling of feet as is wont to happen on long flights, walk in the aisle at intervals and try not to take off your shoes.

3.    Refrain from taking alcohol when on a flight, as too much alcohol causes dehydration. Drink a lot of water.

4.    When making flight reservation, remember to request for special meals if you have any food restrictions.

5.    After 9/11, airlines follow very strict security procedures. So, make sure you reach the airport for check in well before departure time. It’s best to check with the airline regarding how much in advance you should be at the airport.

6.    If your baggage does not arrive on the same flight as you, fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), with a description of the baggage, a list of contents and address to which it should be forwarded. If your baggage does not arrive at all, place a claim with the airline within 21 days.

7.    Overbooking is a fact of life in the airline industry. If you are not in a particular hurry to get to your destination then volunteer to give your seat up and take the next flight. The airline will provide you a hotel room and other frills, so you can end up having an extended vacation at the airlines expense!

8.    Do not accept any package from a stranger.

9.    For a smooth ride on a plane, choose the seats located near the wings so if the plane hits an air pocket, this is where you will get the least number of bumps.

10. If you are planning to watch the in-flight movie, choose the fourth or fifth row from the screen to avoid getting a neck cramp.

11. If you are prone to motion sickness, take an anti-sickness pill before the flight. The pill won't help much, if you have it after you have started feeling sick!

12. Abide by the list of items prohibited on board and carry most items like skis/cues/walking canes/sticks/Swiss knives in checked in baggage - this smoothens the check-in process plus avoids the risk of confiscation and unnecessary delays.

13. Report any unattended items in the airport or aircraft to the nearest airport or airline personnel.

14. Keep track of the weather at your destination and be prepared, especially if you are going to a hurricane prone area.

15. Make your hotel reservations in advance, especially if you are visiting a place in peak season.

16. Call the hotel twice to confirm the rates. Note down the name of the person you have talked to and request a written/faxed confirmation. This way you can be sure that you will not be wrongly billed by the hotel.

17. Don't depend solely on the hotel's alarm service. Carry your own little alarm clock to catch an early morning flight or that pre-dawn sightseeing trip.

18. When you check into your hotel, ask the reception to give you a card with the hotel's name address and telephone number. This will come in handy if you forget the name of your hotel.

19. Check whether your hotel has a hair-dryer, iron, coffee percolator, etc, to avoid carrying these gadgets.

20. Most hotels frown on guests doing their own laundry in the bathrooms, but if you do need to wash some smalls, carry a length of nylon twine to improvise a clothesline.