When planning a trip, make sure you visit your doctor 3 to 6 months ahead so they can give you specific advice based on where you are going.
Travelling is something many people enjoy doing. However, it does have it's risks and planning beforehand is very important.
If you are young and fit, you want to stay that way, so read up about what precautions and immunisations you need to avoid the common tummy bugs or tropical illnesses many travellers catch.
If you already have any health issues, be it diabetes, asthma, chronic pain or something else, then extra care is needed around medications, travel insurance and planning for common scenarios.
Top 5 tips for travellers
Visit your doctor or travel medicine clinic early (3 to 6 months before leaving) to check what vaccinations you need.
Take an itinerary and check-list to discuss with your doctor or nurse and ask what else they would recommend you take (anti-diarrhoea medication, antibiotics etc).
Keep checking what recommendations are being given for the countries you are visiting in case something changes (SARS, swine flu etc).
Take a travel first-aid kit so you can manage simple cuts, grazes, tummy bugs and minor ailments yourselves.
Be safe in all that you do - sun, water, recreation, transport, drink and eat.
Checklist
Before visiting your doctor/nurse or travel clinic to discuss your overseas trip, or while you are travelling, the following list may be useful:
Travel itinerary – take a copy of your final itinerary – countries, cities, rural areas, time in each place.
Seasons and duration – find out if there are any special precautions you need to take, e.g. mosquito avoidance, antimalarials, jellyfish.
Accommodation – what sort of accommodation will you be staying in? Air-conditioned, remote, with locals? This affects what immunisations you may need
Transport – how will you be travelling? (Using public transport, hire car or back-packing?). Should you wear leg stockings to reduce the risk of clots?
Purpose – are you visiting friends and relatives, sightseeing, or part of a tour group?
Current health status – create a list of current and past medical conditions.
Medications and treatments - take spare in case of delays or change of plans.
My medications list – carry with you a list of all your medications, any medication allergies and vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies you take.
First aid kit – review what to include based on where and for how long you are travelling.
Medical clearance – do you need a doctor's certificate to fly or travel? Do you need medications?
Vaccinations – carry a list of past vaccinations and update with any new ones given.
The following video highlights some key points to consider before leaving to reduce your risk of getting sick while away.
(New England Journal Medicine Video Channel, US, 2016)
Safe Travel NZ
Website with a wide range of resources and advice from the NZ Government agencies for New Zealanders travelling overseas.
There are some health conditions where traveling is not advisable. The following guide on health status for travel has been created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you have any concerns about your health and are unsure about whether you should travel, talk to your doctor. They will help you assess your situation and help you decide whether to postpone your trip.
In general, you should not travel by air if you:
Will be taking a baby less than 48 hours (2 days) old.
Have passed 36 weeks of pregnancy (or 32 weeks if you are carrying twins, triplets, etc).
Have recently had any type of surgery, especially stomach, brain, eye, or orthopedic (bone and joint) surgery. Check with your doctor to see when it is safe for you to travel.
Have had a recent stomach, eye, or head injury. Check with your doctor to see when it is safe for you to travel.
Some people may need to take extra care in considering travel or preparing for travel. If you find yourself in one of these categories, it is important to make sure the doctor advising you knows about your needs.
Babies and small children
Traveling with children will require extra thought and planning. Many travel-related vaccinations and preventive medicines that are used for adults are not recommended for young children. Talk with your child’s doctor about your travel plans. They can give you recommendations on which vaccines or medicines are safe for your child. You may also want to consider bringing your child’s car seat, as the availability and quality of such seats abroad may be limited. You can learn more about this topic from the section traveling safely with infants and children.
If you are pregnant, consult with both your lead maternity carer and a travel medicine doctor before making any travel decisions. Depending on your stage of pregnancy, preexisting medical conditions, and travel plans, you may want to take additional precautions or even postpone your trip. For example, if you are pregnant and have a serious pre-existing medical condition, it may not be wise to travel to developing countries. In general, the safest time for a pregnant woman to travel is during the second trimester (18–24 weeks). If you are in your third trimester, you should typically plan to stay closer to home to guarantee access to medical care if problems arise, such as high blood pressure, swelling, or going into labor 3 weeks or more before your due date (premature labor).
Generally, travelers with stable, ongoing disabilities should prepare for an international trip in much the same way as any other traveler would. However, if you have a disability and are planning an international trip, you should take three extra steps to ensure a safe and accessible trip.
Consult with your travel agent or tour operator and make sure that resources are available to meet your needs.
See a travel medicine doctor, or a doctor familiar with travel medicine, at least 4–6 weeks before you leave. They will tell you which vaccines or medicines you will need and give you additional recommendations that fit your needs.
Research the resources available to people with disabilities in your destination.
If your immune system is weakened from cancer, chemotherapy, medicines, or HIV/AIDS, talk to your doctor about the details of your travel plans. There may be added risks related to travel.
If your current medical status is unstable or puts your health at serious risk, it may be recommended that you not travel or postpone your trip until you can travel more safely.
Even if you can travel, you may or may not be able to have certain vaccines or take medications that are normally recommended for your destination or they may not be as effective.
If you do get sick while traveling, your illness may be more severe or you may have added complications to your existing condition. Make sure that you fully understand all the risks involved with your travel plans and any ways to protect your health that your doctor recommends before you go.
