If you cannot find out from the employing agency or travel agent or those who have been there before, just go on the internet. Type in “health risks” and the country to which you are going into your browser – and you should get access to useful sites of information.
Malaria
Just because you have been there before don’t assume you have developed immunity to tropical diseases. The parasite causing falciparum malaria is deadly, and if there is a risk of malaria, then taking protective tablets without missing doses as well as taking appropriate “anti-mosquito” measures (such as using insect repellant, wearing long-sleeved clothes in the evenings and sleeping in air-conditioned rooms or under mosquito nets) is essential. All it needs to get malaria is the bite of one parasite-containing mosquito! Taking the tablets regularly as advised (daily or weekly as the case may be) is important, as is continuing the tablets for the correct number of days after returning home.
If you take regular medications, such as for high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease, make sure you take along an adequate supply of all your tablets – for every day that you will be away plus enough for an additional week. Ask your doctor to give you a list of all the tablets, listing their generic (chemical) names. The same medication is sold in different countries under various trade names – examples are the heart medication atorvastatin, sold in Sri Lanka and India as Atorva but marketed in America and Australia as Lipitor, and the blood pressure medication amlodipine which is sold under various trade names ike Norvasc, Perivasc and Amlotab. In the unlikely event of losing one's medications and having to buy a supply in another country – or worse, being admitted to a hospital overseas – possessing an accurate list of your medications can be valuable.
If taking regular medications (including insulin injections if you are diabetic or an adrenaline pen if you are subject to allergies), these shoul not be put inside checked in baggage. Make sure you have the medications you have to take daily in your carry-on (hand) luggage. The same applies if you are prone to asthma or angina – always carry your puffer or angina medication in your pocket/handbag. It is best to carry a letter from your doctor, certifying that you suffer from the relevant disease and that you need to carry these usual medications at all times. This can save unnecessary hassle from ignorant and xenophobic security personnel at airport screening facilitieswhen they x-ray your hand luggage and find little bottles and syringes in it!
Having a small first aid kit in your checked baggage with simple medications such as paracetemol or aspirin for headaches, aches and pains or fevers, oral rehydration salts in case of diarrhoea and other items such as cough mixture, sleeping tablets, bandaids and even a course of antibiotics for infections to which you are susceptible, is prudent.
Taking enough travel insurance is important. Most people won’t need it but if you do fall ill and need medical attention or hospitalization, and have not taken insurance, you could be faced with a pretty stiff bill at the end of the exercise.
Finally, if you need vaccinations, make sure they are taken well before departure because most take time to become effective. Communicable diseases such as Typhoid, Japanese encephalitis and Hepatitis can be contracted overseas, and it is best to discuss the need for immunization with your doctor.
Whenever going overseas, make sure you take your passport, tickets and foreign currency – and make doubly sure you have taken your health precautions.
