Planning to brave the mad travel crowd this time of year? You can skip travel health if you follow some tips for a healthy trip. Cold climates If you are headed for the ski slopes or just about anywhere in the northern hemisphere, one definite way to ward off the winter blues is to prevent influenza. Get a flu jab before you go! Influenza vaccine is 70-90% effective and will last a year. All older patients (over age 65) should consider getting a Pneumococcal vaccine as well. Not every sniffle is caused by influenza, however. If you catch a cold (caused by rhinovirus), your nose and ear passages can get pretty blocked up. If you have to fly while congested, your ears may hurt badly during aircraft descent. To reduce discomfort and even the risk of popping your eardrum, taking a decongestant for the flight can help. Food frenzies The best part of travel may be sampling exotic local fare – but if your idea of gastronomic bliss is hawker heaven, beware! Being a foodie outside Malaysia carries certain risks. Protect yourself before you go with typhoid vaccine, which cuts the risk by 70% that you might catch this version of salmonella. Most travellers going to developing countries should also invest in Hepatitis A vaccine to prevent this common viral infection of the liver that is transmitted via food and water exposures. Make sure your food is well-cooked and piping hot, wash your hands well, and avoid ice – think of it as frozen tap water (which it is!)
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 06:20:28 +0000
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