Holiday health check
What to do to prevent illness on holiday.
The last thing you want when you're away on holiday is to fall ill. Luckily nowadays there are precautions you can take before you travel to reduce the risk of becoming ill while you're away.
Immunisations:
- In some countries you run the risk of contracting diseases such as malaria and yellow fever.
- It's important to check with your doctor before you travel to get the right vaccination or medication.
- Do this well in advance as it may take weeks or months for a vaccine to become effective.
- You may also have to take malaria tablets in advance of your trip.
- Have a look at National Travel Health Network and Centre to find out what risks are present in which countries and for useful information on how to reduce the risk of insect bites.
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Prescription medicine
- If you're on prescription medicines, check with your doctor whether you'll be able to get them where you'll be on holiday.
- If you can't get them while you're on holiday then make sure you take enough supply with you.
- Check if you can take the medicines in and out of the UK and the country you're visiting.
- You may also need a letter from your doctor giving details about the medicine.
- Carry the medicines in a correctly labelled container.
- If you get any medicines while you're away find out if it's legal to bring them back into the UK or declare them at customs when you return.
The cost of medical assistance in other countries can be high so make sure you have the right travel insurance cover. If you want cover for any pre-existing medical conditions you'll need to mention all your pre-existing medical conditions when you take out a travel insurance policy.
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