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Planning your vacation is almost as much fun as actually being there. Deciding on what to wear, what tours to take, and what sports equipment you might need are all part of the process and the source of much enjoyment.
Unfortunately, in the excitement of visiting a new place and culture, many people overlook the important things, like proper insurance coverage, stopping the mail and newspapers, turning off electrical appliances, and making sure someone can enter their house in the event of an emergency. Others run into trouble when they forget important medication, or don’t have the required documentation for taking certain drugs abroad.
And no one should overlook the possibility of contracting that spoiler of all great vacations: Montezuma’s revenge...
Proper insurance coverage
How many people assume that their credit card automatically provides enough travel insurance coverage in the event of an accident or sudden illness? How many more believe that their provincial medical coverage will fully protect them while visiting a neighbouring province? Although a specialized credit card may provide enough coverage, it is essential to read over the policy or contact the provider to confirm that you will have enough coverage for your specific needs.
Preventing hepatitis
Hepatitis A and B are easy to contract in many parts of the world. Depending on where you are travelling, you may need to have one or more vaccinations to protect you from diseases that may be endemic to those regions.
Hepatitis A— a serious liver disease that is usually contracted by ingesting food or drinks that have been contaminated with human waste—is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in travellers. Travellers to Mexico, South or Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, South East Asia, China and the Middle East are at greatest risk for contracting hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A is not a disease confined to poor areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that most cases of hepatitis A occur among travellers who have stayed in resorts and highquality hotels.
Hepatitis B vaccine—which protects against a type of hepatitis commonly contracted through exposure to the body fluids of an infected person—is usually given with hepatitis A vaccine in Twinrix®. (Pick up Twinrix® at your London Drugs pharmacy for your doctor or a travel clinic health professional to inject. In Alberta, the pharmacist may be able to inject Twinrix® for you. ) Yellow fever, typhoid and other life-threatening diseases are also prevented by vaccination.
The Public Health Agency of Canada schedules a number of travel clinics countrywide, where you can be immunized and learn more about the risks in specific areas of the world. This agency provides a list of clinics and their telephone numbers, as well as updated travel advisories through their website, http://www.travelhealth.gc.ca.
Health Canada suggests that Canadians travelling internationally contact their doctor or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before travelling (regardless of where they are going), to have their risk of contracting a variety of diseases assessed. Based on your current health, your travel itinerary and your previous immunization history, a health professional will determine what immunizations and/or preventive medication you may need, as well as advise you on how you can best reduce disease risks.
Hepatitis A & B Regions and Risk
- Very high risk: Africa, parts of South America, the Middle East and South-east Asia
- High risk: Brazil's Amazon basin, China and Latin America
- Moderate risk: Southern and Eastern Europe, some regions of the Middle East
- Low risk: Australia, USA, Western Europe
- Very low risk: Northern Europe and Japan
Preventing traveller’s diarrhea
Traveller’s diarrhea, popularly known as Montezuma’s revenge, turista or Delhi belly is a disorder of the digestive system caused by parasites or bacteria. These micro-organisms are found in drinking water and other beverages and in foodstuffs. While the local people have adapted to them (just as we have adapted to local bacteria), visitors are often plagued by severe stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. This normally lasts from three to five days.Regions of the world in which you are most likely to be affected by traveller’s diarrhea include Mexico, the Caribbean, Central or South America, Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.
Fortunately, the risk of traveller’s diarrhea can be reduced by washing your hands (or using a hand sanitizer, when hot water and soap are not available). However, most travellers slip up and consume contaminated food or water within 72 hours of starting their vacation. To help prevent traveller’s diarrhea, you should avoid local foods and beverages, use only bottled water to clean our teeth, and never request your drinks “on the rocks.” When reparing your own meals in oreign territory, remember the adage, Boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it.”
If traveller’s diarrhea seems to follow you around, you may consider taking Dukoral®— a preventive vaccine that you drink—before you leave. Dukoral is the only vaccine that helps protect against traveller’s diarrhea. Doses of Dukoral® are taken at home two weeks before you travel, and again one week before you travel. Dukoral® is available from your London Drugs pharmacy without a prescription, so talk to your pharmacist to determine if it is right for you. Dukoral® should not be given to children under the age of 2 years. You should also discuss the use of this product with a health professional if you are pregnant.