A traveller's guide to staying healthy

by Tara Trigg

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You're about to embark on an epic journey far, far away from home (maybe it's not that epic, or that far, but it's probably still really cool). While in the throes of planning the details of your trip, you may want to give some extra consideration to your health and well-being.

When you travel, it takes you away from what you, and your body, are most familiar with. This makes you susceptible to all kinds of new and interesting types of infections, diseases, and bugs. The smart thing to do before you leave home is to do a little research, and arm yourself with the tools you need to stay safe, healthy, and alive.

Vaccinations

When going somewhere new, it's important to check out the recommended vaccinations for the area, especially if it's more remote, less developed, or has a different climate than where you hail from. Some vaccinations need to be given up to three months before travelling, so see your doctor or visit a travel clinic with plenty of time to spare before you leave.

If you're curious about what kinds of vaccinations you may require, you can perform a simple Internet search and easily find reputable websites that list countries and regions coupled with the recommended vaccinations and the times at which they need to be given before travel. (Some recommended websites are listed below.) But don't substitute a web search for talking to a qualified physician.

Medications

Make sure to bring medication with you, instead of planning on purchasing it at your destination. Chances are what you want will be available, but the brand may be different, or the instructions for use and warnings may not be in your language. For any prescription meds, make sure to bring enough for your trip, with some extra just in case something goes wrong (or right!) and your trip runs long.

When packing meds, make sure to keep them in their original packaging so they can be easily identified at customs. Also, be aware that most of these remedies have a limited shelf life, so take a look at expiry dates before bringing them with you.

Keep in mind that there is a difference between a backpacking trip in the Amazon and a stay in a hotel in London. Choose what to bring with you accordingly.

• Antacid. If you're prone to heartburn (especially when consuming new, different, or spicy foods), make sure to bring something you know works for you.
• Antihistamines. No one wants to be stuck sneezing in a tropical garden. Even if you don't commonly suffer allergies, it's not a bad idea to bring some pills with you, as you're going to be discovering all kinds of new and exciting allergens. Make sure your pills are the non-drowsy kind, you won't have much fun if all you want to do is sleep.
• Anti-diarrhoeal. A treatment for mild diarrhoea can be invaluable. A change in diet can do some very interesting things to your digestion. If you suffer diarrhoea, make sure to keep hydrated.
• Bug spray. There are many kinds of bugs, and many of them like to feast on human flesh. Our physical reaction to this behaviour is rarely a positive one, and creepy crawlies are well known for carrying disease. Therefore, if you're travelling to a buggy region of the planet, plan to bring bug spray with Deet.
• Constipation cure. Yes, I went for the alliteration there. And yes, I am serious about bringing laxatives, for the same reason it's important to bring anti-diarrhoeal medication.
• Infection and inflammation. It's a good idea to bring antibiotics with you, especially if you're backpacking or travelling to remote areas. You will need to discuss this with your doctor before you leave, and will likely need a prescription.
• Pain killers. Why would you leave home without them? These can be useful for anything from headaches, muscle pain from over-exerting yourself, or menstrual pain. Blister packs are recommended if headed to a humid climate, as loose tablets can absorb moisture from the air and be rendered useless.
• Motion sickness. If you find you get car sick, sea sick, or otherwise, you may want to consider bringing a motion sickness medication with you. If there is a non-drowsy variant, make sure you choose that one!
• Safe sex. Condoms condoms condoms. If you think that there may be even the slightest chance that you'll be hooking up with anyone during your travels, make sure you bring good-quality condoms with you. It's worth it to prevent a potentially unwanted pregnancy or the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection, such as AIDS.
• Sores and blisters. You know those great sandals you bought to wear on the beach? You should have broken them in before leaving home. The same goes for those hiking boots or runners you've been wearing for eight hours per day for the last week. Bring a topical disinfectant with you to clean sores and blisters. Antiseptic wipes are also a good idea. A product like moleskin is great to have on hand to both prevent and help care for friction blisters.
• Sunscreen. Everyone knows that excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn, which is in turn linked to skin cancer. So, bring sunscreen with a high SPF. Aloe vera lotion is good to have along, should you slip up and forget to slop on your SPF 75 sun lotion.
• Thermometer, scissors and tweezers. Don't underestimate the myriad uses of scissors and tweezers. Splinters are hell, and gauze is hard to rip. The thermometer's use should be obvious.
• Water purification tablets or water filtration devices. Should you be travelling where water quality is a potential concern, these products can be purchased from pharmacies or outdoor pursuits stores.

First Aid kit

This is a very important item to bring with you on any trip. You'd be surprised how small an effective kit can be, so don't eliminate it due to space considerations. You can choose to put a kit together yourself, or buy a pre-packaged one – it's up to you. Also, make sure you pack your first aid kit with materials appropriate to the activities you will be doing. There's no sense in bringing splints when all you're going to be doing is touring around Paris in a cab.

You (and those you are travelling with) will be much better off if you have some basic knowledge of what to do in an emergency. Many prepackaged kits come with a simple first aid guide. Read it before you leave. It's a heck of a lot easier to understand when you're parked on your sofa at home, instead of sitting next to a friend who's screaming in pain and insisting that you should smear butter on his second-degree burn. (Need we mention that butter isn't a good idea for burns? I hope not.)

Here are some of the most essential items to include in your kit:

• several triangular bandages, that can be used to improvise a sling or provide pressure on a dressing;
• medium-size (4" X 4") non-stick gauze dressings;
• gauze bandage;
• trauma pad, used for larger wounds;
• small scissors;
• waterproof adhesive tape;
• tweezers;
• antiseptic towelettes;
• examination gloves;
• moleskin;
• small adhesive bandages;
• some kind of barrier device for performing artificial respirations.

This sounds like a lot of stuff, but you should be able to fit it into an enclosure about the size of a thick paperback novel. Also, you'll notice that there is some overlap between the first aid kit and our medication list – a goodly portion of your meds can likely have a home in your kit.

Other important tips

We've talked about meds, we've talked about vaccinations, and we've stocked your first aid kit… now let's talk about those other important items:

• Additional sun protection. Sunscreen isn't the only way you can keep yourself protected from solar rays. Make sure to bring sunglasses and a hat (even if you're not the hat type.) If you're headed somewhere warm and sunny, don't underestimate the sun's power to hurt you. Make sure you bring a water bottle to help you stay hydrated, and get out of the sun if you start to feel faint.
• Don't ignore small injuries. Don't shrug off small cuts and abrasions, especially if you're going to be in and out of the ocean or other bodies of water. Make sure to properly tend to your wounds to prevent infection. An infected foot can really ruin a hiking trip and add insult to injury when you realize that infection could easily have been prevented.
• Contact lens solution. If you wear contact lenses, make sure to bring extra solution, extra lenses, and make sure you have the ability to get your hands sanitized before handling your contacts.

If you're intending on heading out into the world (which we highly recommend,) make sure you're prepared. Tailor your first aid kit to your trip, and don't let any minor wounds go untreated. If you're backpacking, take care of your feet. There are plenty of other things to pay attention to, but ensure that your health is a top priority. If you're going somewhere cold (we don't tend to do that… our home climate is cold enough,) pack plenty of warm things that you can wear in layers to avoid getting chilled.

There's a wealth of information available online; do your research on the area you're headed to. It's important to know what to expect at your intended destination. If you've got everything you need, you'll be able to concentrate on having fun and enjoying the experience!

What did I miss? Let me know.

More info online:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - a great source of reputable information for travellers
• Public Health Agency of Canada - The Canadian Government's website with valuable travel health information

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