Stay healthy while you travel
Keeping healthy on tour isn't difficult - for the most part it requires a
little bit of common sense. Most of the problems you'll face are easily
preventable, for example putting on sunscreen, drinking bottled or
treated water, washing your hands properly before eating and avoiding
insect bites will save you a great deal of hassle.
However, if you have other concerns like exposure to malaria or other
tropical diseases, altitude sickness, sea sickness or other issues, it
is best to visit your doctor. We recommend that you see your travel
health centre in person at least eight weeks before you travel, as you
may need a course of medications or more than one vaccination.
A travel health professional can give you specific advice according to
your unique medical needs and tour itinerary. If you're travelling for a
long period of time, it's also a good idea to get a check up at the
dentist and sort out your glasses prescription if you think it's
changing.
European Travellers
European Union Website
Has detailed health care information about travelling abroad and
emergency treatment resources. Website is available in all European
languages.
http://europa.eu/eu-life/healthcare/index_en.htm
European Health Insurance Card
Apply for a free EHIC which offers you access to reduced-cost medical
treatment. This is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en
UK Travellers
National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)
Lots of in depth travel health advice including the latest health alerts
from malaria to yellow fever. Very useful in conjunction with your
itinerary and it can be a good idea to have a read before visiting your
doctor.
http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm
NHS Fit for Travel
This is the Scottish version of the NHS and has lots of useful advice
from deep vein thrombosis to how to deal with an animal bite.
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Foreign Office
Lots of travel tips and advice on various topics from safe sex to swine flu and how to avoid getting sick overseas.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/health/
European Health Insurance Card
Apply for a free EHIC which offers you access to reduced-cost medical
treatment. This is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Australian and New Zealand Travellers
Safe Travel New Zealand - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
This website provides lots of useful tips and links to sources of official health advice for travellers from New Zealand.
http://safetravel.govt.nz/beforeugo/health.shtml
Smart Traveller - Australian Govt Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The more prepared you are, the fitter and healthier you will be on tour.
This site provides lots of good travel health tips for Australian
travellers.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/travelwell.html
American and Canadian Travellers
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, USA
This site offers addresses for travel health clinics in the USA as well
as tips for how to prepare yourself to be healthy on your journey.
http://www.cdc.gov
Public Health Agency of Canada
Get some good tips about what to do if you get sick while travelling and what you should do on return to Canada.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php (English)