It´s summer time, vacation is approaching and many travel abroad. If you are planning a trip, there are some things to consider to be on the safe side.
Hospital acquired infections (HAI) and the spread of multi resistant bacteria is a global problem affecting us all, where we live and while travelling you expose yourself to an increased risk of getting an infection.
Good hand hygiene is one of the most efficient and easiest ways of avoiding bacteria and prevents infections. Wash your hands thoroughly as often as you can. If no water is available you can use antiseptic cleansing wipes.
Another ways of staying healthy and avoiding foodborne illness caused by bacteria’s such as salmonella or E.coli is to be careful about what you eat. If possible, try to avoid cold meat platters, buffet foods and unpasteurized dairy products. Freshly cooked food is always better than raw food.
In case you get sick during your trip, there are a lot of things you can do before your departure.
Check your home and travel Insurance
Without insurance, it can be very costly to see a doctor or get hospital treatment. If you are a European citizen, visiting a European country, you can receive appropriate healthcare if you have an EU-card, a European Health Insurance Card. When travelling with children, you need to order separate cards for them. You can also check with your insurance company if there is special travel insurance included in your home insurance.
Don’t forget your medicine
If you use medicines on a daily basis, they should be in the original package. This will help you in case you need to get more medicine locally or if customs examine your luggage.
A travel pharmacy with non-prescriptive medicines, such as painkillers, rehydration tablets and antiseptic wipes can also be useful.
Check your vaccinations
When travelling, depending on where you are going, you may need to be vaccinated, to protect yourself against infectious diseases. Please check the status with your doctor or vaccination agency well before travelling.
In Case of Emergency
In case of an accident or if you suddenly fall ill, it is wise to save the number of your relatives or closest friends in your mobile phone by using the name ICE (In Case of Emergency) to enable the medical staff to contact them.
Have a wonderful summer!