You’ve meticulously planned your dream vacation: flights booked, hotel confirmed, anticipation soaring… But as you ascend towards the clouds, a familiar tickle in your throat begins to dampen your excitement.

Nothing ruins a holiday quite like an illness. And despite all our best efforts, we’ve gone through that annoyance at least once in our lives. The best we can do is prevent it. So come on board with us as we present a list of essential travel health tips to increase your chances of a sick-free holiday.

Before You Go
Still figuring out your packing list? It might be a good time to start some preventive measures to make sure you’re in your best shape (health-wise) going into your holiday.

Speak to your doctor: Seek your doctor’s advice to see if you need more medicines for any existing chronic conditions.

Vaccinations and other Research: Find out about the vaccinations needed for the country you’re headed to. Additionally, learn more about your destination’s medical services and devise a hypothetical plan on how to access them.

Travel insurance: Obtain comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuations.

Pack your travel health kit: Be prepared for common ailments you might experience during the trip – flu, diarrhoea, headaches, fever, and so on. Items that go into your kit can include prescription medicines, pain relievers, antihistamines, motion sickness remedies, antidiarrheal medication. It wouldn’t hurt to include hand sanitisers, antiseptic wipes, sunscreen and insect repellent as well.

Motion Sickness: Take motion sickness medication before travel and avoid reading or using electronic devices when you’re in a vehicle.

Jet Lag: Adjust your sleep schedule gradually before your trip and avoid caffeine and alcohol.

During the Trip
To stay healthy while sightseeing, practice these good hygiene habits and take the necessary precautions.

Stay Hydrated: It’s important to stay hydrated in hot climates or high altitudes. Carry a reusable bottle and keep it filled before you head out. Use filtered or bottled water for countries with unsafe tap water.

Food & Drink Safety: As a rule, ensure you eat freshly cooked food. Avoid raw or undercooked meats and seafood, and street food in unhygienic areas. Peel fruits yourself and avoid salads washed in untreated water.

Hand Hygiene: Practice diligent handwashing with soap or using hand sanitizer before eating and after using the restroom.

Respiratory Health: Wear a mask when necessary to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses.

Bite Prevention: Take precautions to prevent animal and mosquito bites. Use insect repellents with DEET or picaridin. Use treated mosquito nets if you are camping or sleeping outdoors, and wear long sleeves, pants and covered shoes in bug-heavy regions.

Disease Prevention: Avoid situations that could increase the risk of contracting blood-borne diseases or sexually transmitted infections.

Altitude Sickness: If traveling to high altitudes, ascend gradually and be aware of symptoms like headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Take altitude sickness pills if needed.

Precautions when Swimming: Avoid swimming in freshwater lakes in areas prone to schistosomiasis or other parasitic infections. Stick to chlorinated pools or the ocean.

Mental Health: Travel can be overwhelming. Practice mindfulness, take breaks and reach out to loved ones if you’re feeling anxious or homesick.

Medical advice: Seek medical treatment when experiencing the following scenarios:

• Feel unwell
• Bitten by an animal
• Deep cuts
• Suspect of contracting an infectious disease

Being prepared is one of the key ways in ensuring you can make the best out of your holiday. With these travel tips, we hope you’ll be healthy and happy throughout your trip. Safe travels!

Coming down with something before your big trip? Discover quick and easy consultations with Dr. Kart, the medical vending machine service that attends to a host of common ailments. Find us at Shell Station at 9 Tampines Avenue 2!