Health

Make sure you are fully prepared for your dream vacation while also focusing on your health and self-care routines, as being prepared for any medical emergencies.

Health

Make sure you are fully prepared for your dream vacation while also focusing on your health and self-care routines, as being prepared for any medical emergencies.

Health

Make sure you are fully prepared for your dream vacation while also focusing on your health and self-care routines, as being prepared for any medical emergencies.

Pre – Travel Checklist

  • CHECK-UPS – Get a check-up from your dentist and from your doctor if you take any regular medication or have a chronic illness, e.g. high blood pressure or asthma

  • CONTACT LENSES / GLASES – Organize spare contact lenses and glasses (and take your optical prescription with you)

  • ASSEMBLE A FIRST-AID AND MEDICAL KIT

  • VACCINATIONS – Arrange necessary vaccinations. Don’t leave this until the last minute. Many vaccines don’t take effect until two weeks after you’ve been immunized, so visit a doctor four to eight weeks before departure. Ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccination (otherwise known as the yellow booklet), which will list all the vaccinations you’ve received. This is mandatory for the African countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry, but it’s a good idea to carry it anyway wherever you travel

  • IAMAT – Become a member of the International Association for Medical Advice to Travelers (IAMAT; www.iamat.org ), which lists trusted English- speaking doctors

  • FIRST-AID COURSE – If you’ll be spending significant time in remote areas, you might like to do a first-aid course or attend a remote medicine first-aid course

  • MEDICATIONS – Bring medications in their original containers, clearly labelled

  • MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND MEDICATIONS – A signed and dated letter from your physician describing all medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea

  • DOCUMENTATION OF MEDICAL NECESSITY – If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity

Pre – Travel Checklist

  • CHECK-UPS – Get a check-up from your dentist and from your doctor if you take any regular medication or have a chronic illness, e.g. high blood pressure or asthma

  • CONTACT LENSES / GLASES – Organize spare contact lenses and glasses (and take your optical prescription with you)

  • ASSEMBLE A FIRST-AID AND MEDICAL KIT

  • VACCINATIONS – Arrange necessary vaccinations. Don’t leave this until the last minute. Many vaccines don’t take effect until two weeks after you’ve been immunized, so visit a doctor four to eight weeks before departure. Ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccination (otherwise known as the yellow booklet), which will list all the vaccinations you’ve received. This is mandatory for the African countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry, but it’s a good idea to carry it anyway wherever you travel

  • IAMAT – Become a member of the International Association for Medical Advice to Travelers (IAMAT; www.iamat.org ), which lists trusted English- speaking doctors

  • FIRST-AID COURSE – If you’ll be spending significant time in remote areas, you might like to do a first-aid course or attend a remote medicine first-aid course

  • MEDICATIONS – Bring medications in their original containers, clearly labelled

  • MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND MEDICATIONS – A signed and dated letter from your physician describing all medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea

  • DOCUMENTATION OF MEDICAL NECESSITY – If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity

Pre – Travel Checklist

  • CHECK-UPS – Get a check-up from your dentist and from your doctor if you take any regular medication or have a chronic illness, e.g. high blood pressure or asthma

  • CONTACT LENSES / GLASES – Organize spare contact lenses and glasses (and take your optical prescription with you)

  • ASSEMBLE A FIRST-AID AND MEDICAL KIT

  • VACCINATIONS – Arrange necessary vaccinations. Don’t leave this until the last minute. Many vaccines don’t take effect until two weeks after you’ve been immunized, so visit a doctor four to eight weeks before departure. Ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccination (otherwise known as the yellow booklet), which will list all the vaccinations you’ve received. This is mandatory for the African countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry, but it’s a good idea to carry it anyway wherever you travel

  • IAMAT – Become a member of the International Association for Medical Advice to Travelers (IAMAT; www.iamat.org ), which lists trusted English- speaking doctors

  • FIRST-AID COURSE – If you’ll be spending significant time in remote areas, you might like to do a first-aid course or attend a remote medicine first-aid course

  • MEDICATIONS – Bring medications in their original containers, clearly labelled

  • MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND MEDICATIONS – A signed and dated letter from your physician describing all medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea

  • DOCUMENTATION OF MEDICAL NECESSITY – If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity

Health Insurance

.

Find out in advance whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or will reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures (in many countries doctors expect payment in cash). It’s vital to ensure that your travel insurance will cover the emergency transport to get you to a hospital in a major city, to better medical facilities elsewhere in Africa, or all the way home, by air and with a medical attendant if necessary. Not all insurance covers this, so check the contract carefully. If you need medical help, your insurance company might be able to help locate the nearest hospital or clinic, or you can ask at your hotel. In an emergency, contact your embassy or consulate.

Health Insurance

.

Find out in advance whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or will reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures (in many countries doctors expect payment in cash). It’s vital to ensure that your travel insurance will cover the emergency transport to get you to a hospital in a major city, to better medical facilities elsewhere in Africa, or all the way home, by air and with a medical attendant if necessary. Not all insurance covers this, so check the contract carefully. If you need medical help, your insurance company might be able to help locate the nearest hospital or clinic, or you can ask at your hotel. In an emergency, contact your embassy or consulate.

Health Insurance

.

Find out in advance whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or will reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures (in many countries doctors expect payment in cash). It’s vital to ensure that your travel insurance will cover the emergency transport to get you to a hospital in a major city, to better medical facilities elsewhere in Africa, or all the way home, by air and with a medical attendant if necessary. Not all insurance covers this, so check the contract carefully. If you need medical help, your insurance company might be able to help locate the nearest hospital or clinic, or you can ask at your hotel. In an emergency, contact your embassy or consulate.

“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari

bug is worst of all.”

– Brian Jackman

“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari

bug is worst of all.”

– Brian Jackman

“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.”

– Brian Jackman

Recommended Vaccinations

Recommended Vaccination

.

The World Health Organization (www.who.int/ith) recommends that all travelers be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as for hepatitis B, regardless of their destination. Planning to travel is a great time to ensure that all routine vaccination cover is complete. The consequences of these particular diseases can be severe, and outbreaks do occur.

Recommended Vaccinations

Recommended Vaccination

.

The World Health Organization (www.who.int/ith) recommends that all travelers be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as for hepatitis B, regardless of their destination. Planning to travel is a great time to ensure that all routine vaccination cover is complete. The consequences of these particular diseases can be severe, and outbreaks do occur.

Recommended Vaccinations

Recommended Vaccination

.

The World Health Organization (www.who.int/ith) recommends that all travelers be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as for hepatitis B, regardless of their destination. Planning to travel is a great time to ensure that all routine vaccination cover is complete. The consequences of these particular diseases can be severe, and outbreaks do occur.

Medical Check List

  • ASPRIN OR PARACETAMOL

  • ADHESIVE OR PAPER TAPE

  • ANTI-INflAMMATORY DRUGS (E.G. IBUPROFEN) ALSO AS GEL FOR BRUISES

  • ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENT (E.G. BACTROBAN) FOR CUTS AND ABRASIONS (PRESCRIPTION ONLY) OR SOLUTION (E.G. BETADINE)

  • ANTIBIOTICS (PRESCRIPTION ONLY), E.G. CIPROflOXACIN (CIPROXIN) OR NORflOXACIN (UTINOR)

  • ANTIDIARRHOEAL DRUGS (E.G. LOPERAMIDE) OR SMEKTIT

  • ANTIHISTAMINES TABLETS AND EYE DROPS (FOR HAY-FEVER AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS)

  • ANTIMALARIA PILLS OR RECOMMENDED STANDBY-MEDICATION

  • BANDAGES, GAUZE, GAUZE ROLLS, CREPE BANDAGES

  • DEET-CONTAINING INSECT REPELLENT FOR THE SKIN

  • IODINE TABLETS (FOR WATER PURIfiCATION)

  • ORAL REHYDRATION SALTS

  • PERMETHRIN-CONTAINING INSECT SPRAY FOR CLOTHING, TENTS AND BED NETS

  • POCKET KNIFE, SCISSORS, SAFETY PINS, TWEEZERS

  • STERILE NEEDLES, SYRINGES AND flUIDS IF TRAVELLING TO REMOTE AREAS

  • STEROID CREAM OR HYDROCORTISONE CREAM OR GEL (FOR ALLERGIC RASHES, SUN-BURN AND INSECT BITES)

  • THERMOMETER

  • MALERIA – If you are travelling through a malarial area – particularly an area in which falciparum malaria predominates – consider taking a self-diagnostic kit that can identify malaria in the blood from a finger prick

Medical Check List

  • ASPRIN OR PARACETAMOL

  • ADHESIVE OR PAPER TAPE

  • ANTI-INflAMMATORY DRUGS (E.G. IBUPROFEN) ALSO AS GEL FOR BRUISES

  • ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENT (E.G. BACTROBAN) FOR CUTS AND ABRASIONS (PRESCRIPTION ONLY) OR SOLUTION (E.G. BETADINE)

  • ANTIBIOTICS (PRESCRIPTION ONLY), E.G. CIPROflOXACIN (CIPROXIN) OR NORflOXACIN (UTINOR)

  • ANTIDIARRHOEAL DRUGS (E.G. LOPERAMIDE) OR SMEKTIT

  • ANTIHISTAMINES TABLETS AND EYE DROPS (FOR HAY-FEVER AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS)

  • ANTIMALARIA PILLS OR RECOMMENDED STANDBY-MEDICATION

  • BANDAGES, GAUZE, GAUZE ROLLS, CREPE BANDAGES

  • DEET-CONTAINING INSECT REPELLENT FOR THE SKIN

  • IODINE TABLETS (FOR WATER PURIfiCATION)

  • ORAL REHYDRATION SALTS

  • PERMETHRIN-CONTAINING INSECT SPRAY FOR CLOTHING, TENTS AND BED NETS

  • POCKET KNIFE, SCISSORS, SAFETY PINS, TWEEZERS

  • STERILE NEEDLES, SYRINGES AND flUIDS IF TRAVELLING TO REMOTE AREAS

  • STEROID CREAM OR HYDROCORTISONE CREAM OR GEL (FOR ALLERGIC RASHES, SUN-BURN AND INSECT BITES)

  • THERMOMETER

  • MALERIA – If you are travelling through a malarial area – particularly an area in which falciparum malaria predominates – consider taking a self-diagnostic kit that can identify malaria in the blood from a finger prick

Medical Check List

  • ASPRIN OR PARACETAMOL

  • ADHESIVE OR PAPER TAPE

  • ANTI-INflAMMATORY DRUGS (E.G. IBUPROFEN) ALSO AS GEL FOR BRUISES

  • ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENT (E.G. BACTROBAN) FOR CUTS AND ABRASIONS (PRESCRIPTION ONLY) OR SOLUTION (E.G. BETADINE)

  • ANTIBIOTICS (PRESCRIPTION ONLY), E.G. CIPROflOXACIN (CIPROXIN) OR NORflOXACIN (UTINOR)

  • ANTIDIARRHOEAL DRUGS (E.G. LOPERAMIDE) OR SMEKTIT

  • ANTIHISTAMINES TABLETS AND EYE DROPS (FOR HAY-FEVER AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS)

  • ANTIMALARIA PILLS OR RECOMMENDED STANDBY-MEDICATION

  • BANDAGES, GAUZE, GAUZE ROLLS, CREPE BANDAGES

  • DEET-CONTAINING INSECT REPELLENT FOR THE SKIN

  • IODINE TABLETS (FOR WATER PURIfiCATION)

  • ORAL REHYDRATION SALTS

  • PERMETHRIN-CONTAINING INSECT SPRAY FOR CLOTHING, TENTS AND BED NETS

  • POCKET KNIFE, SCISSORS, SAFETY PINS, TWEEZERS

  • STERILE NEEDLES, SYRINGES AND flUIDS IF TRAVELLING TO REMOTE AREAS

  • STEROID CREAM OR HYDROCORTISONE CREAM OR GEL (FOR ALLERGIC RASHES, SUN-BURN AND INSECT BITES)

  • THERMOMETER

  • MALERIA – If you are travelling through a malarial area – particularly an area in which falciparum malaria predominates – consider taking a self-diagnostic kit that can identify malaria in the blood from a finger prick

Jet Lag & Motion Sickness

Jet Lag & Motion Sickness

If you’re crossing more than five time zones you could suffer jet lag, resulting in insomnia, fatigue, malaise or nausea. To avoid jet lag try drinking plenty of fluids (nonalcoholic) and eating light meals. Upon arrival, get exposure to natural sunlight and readjust your schedule (for meals, sleep etc.) as soon as possible.

Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) are usually the first choice for treating motion sickness. Their main side effect is drowsiness. A herbal alternative is ginger (in the form of fresh ginger, ginger tea, biscuits or crystallized ginger), which works like a charm for some people.

Jet Lag & Motion Sickness

Jet Lag & Motion Sickness

If you’re crossing more than five time zones you could suffer jet lag, resulting in insomnia, fatigue, malaise or nausea. To avoid jet lag try drinking plenty of fluids (nonalcoholic) and eating light meals. Upon arrival, get exposure to natural sunlight and readjust your schedule (for meals, sleep etc.) as soon as possible.

Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) are usually the first choice for treating motion sickness. Their main side effect is drowsiness. A herbal alternative is ginger (in the form of fresh ginger, ginger tea, biscuits or crystallized ginger), which works like a charm for some people.

Jet Lag & Motion Sickness

Jet Lag & Motion Sickness

.

If you’re crossing more than five time zones you could suffer jet lag, resulting in insomnia, fatigue, malaise or nausea. To avoid jet lag try drinking plenty of fluids (nonalcoholic) and eating light meals. Upon arrival, get exposure to natural sunlight and readjust your schedule (for meals, sleep etc.) as soon as possible.

Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) are usually the first choice for treating motion sickness. Their main side effect is drowsiness. A herbal alternative is ginger (in the form of fresh ginger, ginger tea, biscuits or crystallized ginger), which works like a charm for some people.

Deep Vein Thromboses (DVT)

Deep Vein Thromboses (DVT)

Blood clots can form in the legs during flights, chiefly because of prolonged immobility. This formation of clots is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and the longer the flight, the greater the risk. Although most blood clots are reabsorbed uneventfully, some might break off and travel through the blood vessels to the lungs, where they could cause life-threatening complications.

The chief symptom of DVT is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle or calf, usually but not always on just one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it can cause chest pain and breathing difficulty. Travelers with any of these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.

To prevent the development of DVT on long flights you should walk about the cabin, perform isometric compressions of the leg muscles (i.e. contract the leg muscles while sitting), drink plenty of fluids, and avoid alcohol.

Deep Vein Thromboses (DVT)

Deep Vein Thromboses (DVT)

Blood clots can form in the legs during flights, chiefly because of prolonged immobility. This formation of clots is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and the longer the flight, the greater the risk. Although most blood clots are reabsorbed uneventfully, some might break off and travel through the blood vessels to the lungs, where they could cause life-threatening complications.

The chief symptom of DVT is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle or calf, usually but not always on just one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it can cause chest pain and breathing difficulty. Travelers with any of these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.

To prevent the development of DVT on long flights you should walk about the cabin, perform isometric compressions of the leg muscles (i.e. contract the leg muscles while sitting), drink plenty of fluids, and avoid alcohol.

Deep Vein Thromboses (DVT)

Deep Vein Thromboses (DVT)

.

Blood clots can form in the legs during flights, chiefly because of prolonged immobility. This formation of clots is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and the longer the flight, the greater the risk. Although most blood clots are reabsorbed uneventfully, some might break off and travel through the blood vessels to the lungs, where they could cause life-threatening complications.

The chief symptom of DVT is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle or calf, usually but not always on just one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it can cause chest pain and breathing difficulty. Travelers with any of these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.

To prevent the development of DVT on long flights you should walk about the cabin, perform isometric compressions of the leg muscles (i.e. contract the leg muscles while sitting), drink plenty of fluids, and avoid alcohol.