By Ylva van Buuren (from the March/April 2007 Stitches for Patients)
Spring break is right around the corner and this year your family is heading to hot and sunny Mexico! But while you’re gathering your kids’ sand buckets and shovels to pack along with bathing suits and sun hats, don’t forget to do a little packing and pre-planning for good health too!
While vacations are all about having fun, it’s just as important to take some precautions before you go away and during those fun-filled days at the beach… to keep your trip a healthy one. Here’s a guide.
Before you go Find out ahead of time about what the health risks might be, recommends Dr. Mark Wise, a physician from North York, Ont., and author of The Travel Doctor. “You wouldn’t go to the Caribbean without sunscreen… and you should also know how to avoid any problems with food and water there.
“If you’re going to Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, you should know there have been malaria outbreaks there,” says Wise. Even a one-week trip to Mexico warrants some thought—you doctor may recommend a Hepatitis A shot and something for diarrhea, says Wise.
With this in mind, for all international travel, it’s important to consult a physician or travel medicine clinic at least four to six weeks before leaving, so there’s enough time for any immunizations and other preparation. Depending on the destination, there are likely to be required vaccinations and your doctor may recommend others depending on your health and the level of risk.
First, be sure that all routine immunizations (diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella) are up-to-date. If you normally receive the flu shot, it should be continued for travel. Then, if you’re traveling to areas where sanitary conditions are poor, immunizations to prevent typhoid and Hepatitis A are recommended, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
If you are traveling to remote areas in the world or where special risks exist, immunizations against meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, European tick-borne encephalitis, Hepatitis B, or rabies may be recommended. And yellow fever vaccination is mandatory if you’re going to some countries in Central Africa and South America. Travellers need an international certificate of vaccination. And, if you are going to a country or area where malaria occurs, you will need a sufficient supply of antimalarial medication.
Always take a sufficient supply of any regular medication (see the box What to pack) in clearly labeled containers. Experts recommend that you divide essential medication and store it in two different pieces of luggage, so that if one piece of luggage is delayed, lost, or stolen, an alternate supply is available. It’s also a good idea to write out a health history guide that includes a list of medications.
Travel dollars and sense Each province and territory decides which vaccines it will provide free of charge to the public. In Ontario, for example, there are fees for both pre-travel advice and many vaccinations for travelers, including yellow fever, Hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. The cost varies and some may be covered by private health plans. Talk to your doctor, a travel clinic, and your private health insurer for more information.
Experts also advise that everyone purchase supplemental medical insurance—just in case you need hospitalization or medical treatment while you’re away. Ask your travel agent, financial institution, or physician for options. And be sure to carry proof of insurance coverage and give a copy to someone at home. Contact your provincial health authority to find out what your regional insurance (e.g., OHIP) covers while you’re away.
Away from home, not health There are four basic thoughts to keep in mind while away from home: be safe; eat healthy; prevent infection; and heed the sun.
As at home, while you’re away be sure to always supervise children near water, hotel pools, and traffic. Be security conscious and do not walk alone in remote areas, back streets, or beaches, and leave valuables at home or in hotel safes.
To prevent traveler’s diarrhea, drink purified water or commercially bottled beverages, as well as pasteurized milk and dairy products. Also, avoid ice, salads, re-heated foods, uncooked shellfish and food from street vendors, and choose fruit that you can peel. You’ll want to be especially vigilant about kids eating this way. “If kids get sick, they will get really sick because they’re small,” says Wise.
If you’ve been warned about malaria, take the anti-malarial medication regularly—it won’t work if you don’t. If there is risk of dengue fever and/or malaria, avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent containing DEET—which can be used safely in children down to the age of 6 months, says Wise—during the day and especially between dusk and dawn. And wearing long pants and sleeves is a good idea when traveling at dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Swim in fresh water only if you know it is free of biharzia (schistosomiasis), waterborne parasites found in the Caribbean, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Public Health Agency of Canada says these parasites can penetrate unbroken skin and cause an infection of the bowel or the bladder. Protect against sexually transmitted diseases by using a condom.
Regular use of sun block is critical, particularly if you are taking certain medications, such as tetracycline, that increase skin sensitivity to the sun. Check with your physician or pharmacist if you’re not sure what medications make you more sensitive.
But most importantly, have fun and come home healthy so you can make all your friends jealous.
What to pack Dr. Mark Wise suggests your mobile medicine cabinet may include: o Stomach settler (e.g., Gravol) o Sunscreen (SPF15 or greater) o Pain killers (e.g., Advil and/or Tylenol) o Antiseptic cream (e.g., Polysporin) o Anti-bacterial wash o Vaseline o Bandages o Baby power (great for blisters)
