Injections
Prior to travel it is worth checking with your doctor whether you are required to have any vaccinations. All travellers no matter where they are travelling are required to have updated Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio injections. Additional injections are required for all other countries in continents apart from Australia, New Zealand, North America and North and West Europe. The following is a list of vaccinations that may be needed for travel elsewhere though you will need to check with your doctor which ones you might specifically need:
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Cholera
- Rabies
- Meningoccal Meningitis
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Tuberculosis
- Malaria is also needed in some countries.
Although you might think that you are safe and that nothing is likely to happen to you whilst away it is not worth taking the risk and some countries will not let you in if you haven’t had the required inoculations. Ensure that you have arranged to see your doctor at least 6 weeks before departure.
An insect bite in the UK may not be harmful to your health but when abroad, an insect bite may have other consequences. If you have taken out the necessary vaccinations then there shouldn’t be too much cause for concern but it is worth taking a few more precautions before you travel. Pack some insect repellent and insect bite cream into your suitcase before you go away and some antibacterial lotion or wipes.
If going to a country where mosquitoes are prominent then make sure you cover up as much as is comfortable. Reapply repellent frequently particularly in warmer countries as sweat can remove some of the substance.Remember that they are most alive at both dawn and dusk so if possible avoid going out at these times. In the situation that you are bitten, just wipe the bite with an antibacterial wipe and put some lotion on it. The worst thing you can do is scratch it so try and leave all bites well alone! There is no cause for concern unless an allergic reaction is had in which case it is probably best to check the bite out with a doctor as soon as possible.
For travellers staying in a more basic style of accommodation, you may want to take a mosquito net with you to ensure that you don’t get bitten at night. Whilst sleeping try and keep as covered as possible also.
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More Resources
Fear Of Flying
Sun Protection
Avoiding Jet Lag