Being Informed

When travelling outside of Canada, it is very important to be aware of the health conditions in the country to which you are travelling, as well as the precautions you should take before you leave. The Health Canada website (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca) can provide you with information on health risks while travelling, and also generates travel advisories if new risks to travellers present themselves.

The most common causes of illness while on vacation are:

• Not being protected against diseases for which there are vaccines.
• Consuming contaminated water or food.
• Not taking preventive medications such as malaria pills.
• Taking risks, such as being tattooed, having unsafe sex or drinking to excess.

Recent outbreaks of new diseases, such as SARS in Canada in 2003, indicate the speed with which deadly diseases against which people have little or no immunity can spread. 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 assessed. Based on your current health, your travel itinerary  and your previous immunization history, a doctor can determine what immunizations and/or preventive medication you may need, as well as advise you on how you can best avoid disease risks.

Staying Well

The following tips have been provided by Health Canada to help you stay safe while vacationing:

• Make sure all your regular vaccinations are up to date.
• Contact a travel clinic or your doctor six to eight weeks before you leave, to allow time for any vaccinations you may need. This is particularly important if you are going to tropical areas or developing countries.
• Arrange for private health insurance while you are away, since your provincial/territorial health insurance may not cover you.
• If you are going to an area where malaria is present, it is important to take anti-malarial medication as prescribed by your doctor. Since anti-malarial medication does not guarantee absolute protection against this disease, preventing mosquito bites is very important. Use mosquito repellents when outside, especially between dusk and dawn. Sleep in a well-screened or air conditioned room or use a bed net. Wear trousers and long sleeves at dusk.
• If you become ill in the year after you return, see your doctor immediately and explain that you have visited an area where malaria occurs.
• To prevent 'turista' (travellers' diarrhea), the key principles to remember are: boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it. Drink only purified water or commercially bottled beverages, and pasteurized milk. Avoid ice, salads, re-heated foods, uncooked shellfish, fruit that is not peeled and street vendors' fare. If you experience diarrhea, be sure to drink plenty of liquids to prevent becoming dehydrated, especially in warm climates.
• Wash your hands often with soap or a sanitizing agent when travelling, especially before eating or drinking.
• In warmer climates, always use a sunblock with a minimum SPF of 15.
• To help prevent sexually transmitted diseases, always use a condom if you are intimate with someone you meet while travelling.
• Never share needles to inject intravenous drugs with anyone.
• Swim in fresh water only if you know it is free of biharzia, the parasites that cause schistosomiasis (which can seriously damage the liver, intestines, lungs and bladder).
• Do not walk alone in remote areas, back streets or beaches, where you may be at risk of a personal attack or bag snatching. Valuables should be left at home or deposited in a hotel safe. Travellers cheques, cash, passports and tickets should be carried on a body belt.
• Do not ride in over-crowded vehicles or on motorcycles, especially at night outside of urban areas.
• If you need medication for an existing medical condition, take enough with you to last during your travel. Make sure the containers are clearly marked and carry a copy of the doctor's prescription with you. Essential medication should be carried in two different pieces of luggage in case one is lost or stolen.
• If your medication requires sterile syringes or needles, carry a doctor's explanation or medical certificate with you. This is particularly important in countries where trafficking is a problem.

Treating Holiday Tummy

Holiday tummy, more commonly known as turista or Montezuma's revenge is a disorder of the digestive system caused by parasites or bacteria. These micro-organisms can be present in water and other beverages and in foodstuffs. While they usually do not affect the local population, whose systems have adapted to them, they can cause severe stomach upset and diarrhea in visitors.

Fortunately, most cases of holiday tummy can be avoided by taking precautions. If, however, you slip up and find yourself with sickness and diarrhea, you should observe the following:

• Purchase an oral rehydration formula from a local pharmacy. Local drug stores are usually well aware of the need for these formulations and they are not difficult to track down.
• Take in extra fluids. Bottled water and caffeine-free sodas work well.
• Be prepared and take with you an anti-diarrheal product such a Pepto-Bismol, London Drugs Bismuth formulas or London Drugs Loperamide Hydrochloride tablets.

Finally, remember to take the same precautions on the homeward flight as you took on your vacation. Since airline food and beverages are prepared in local flight kitchens, you are just as likely to 'pick something up' on your way home.

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