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Travel Information
Health & Vaccinations Health facilities, hygiene and disease risk vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures such as anti-Malarial tablets are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective at the time of travel. Sources of information include the Department of Health free leaflet ‘Health Advice for Travelers’ (available on request), your GP or local specialist clinic. Medication Always carry your medication in your hand luggage and carry a sufficient quantity for your time away from home. If you suffer from a medical condition, which may require treatment while on holiday, ask your doctor to provide you with a letter with full details of your ailment. Standards of treatment vary from country to country and pre-existing conditions are not normally covered by holiday insurance. We would also recommend the following items for your personal first-aid kit:
• Anti-diarrhea tablets
• Indigestion tablets
• Travel sickness pills
• General antiseptic cream
• Painkillers
• Insect repellent
Deep Vein Thrombosis
The risk of deep vein thrombosis occurring while traveling by air is extremely low. However, there are a number of precautions you can take to further reduce risk. What is deep vein thrombosis? Any travel involving prolonged immobility can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This occurs when a blood clot forms, usually in the lower leg. This is a serious medical condition and needs treatment with blood thinning drugs or anticoagulants to prevent clots breaking off from the DVT and traveling to the lungs causing significant illness and, on rare occasions, death.
Who is most at risk of deep vein thrombosis?
Those at increased risk include those with a history of thrombosis, those taking an oral contraceptive pill or pregnant, those recently hospitalized, smokers, the obese, some patients with congestive heart failure and people with malignant disease. Dehydration may exacerbate the problem.
What can I do to reduce the risk?
• Periodic exercising of the feet and legs, or walking around where feasible, is advised to reduce the risk.
• Elastic stockings may be helpful.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids to prevent dehydration.
Traveller's Tummy
It is not unusual for travelers to suffer from stomach illnesses when visiting foreign countries. Medical advice on such matters suggests that changes in temperature combined with a change of diet can cause stomach upsets. The tap water in many resorts has a higher mineral content than we are used to at home. This too can upset your stomach, so we always recommend the use of bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. In hot countries it is important to drink plenty of water to avoid the effects of dehydration. Always be sure that food is properly cooked and properly chilled, that salads and unpeeled fruits have been properly washed in purified water. If in doubt, don’t eat it.
Personal Safety
Whilst most resorts are generally safe, unfortunately crime exists wherever you may travel. With your personal safety in mind, it’s wise to take care and do as you would at home:
• Avoid walking alone at night and avoid unlit areas or the beach after dark.
• If you’re not sure where you are going and need directions, please ask your representative or reception for advice before going out.
• Use licensed taxis only and don’t accept lifts from strangers.
• Make sure that your room is left secure when you go out by locking all windows and doors.
• Please make use of any safety deposit box facilities; don’t carry your personal belongings around with you.
• Avoid carrying too much money (use credit cards where possible) or wearing obvious jewellery when you are out and about.
• Do not leave your handbags or any other baggage unattended at any time.
• Keep cameras and handbags close to you at all times – items swinging about can be easily snatched.
• If you are threatened or robbed, please do not attempt to resist or fight back.
• Do listen to safety advice given to you by your representative, they have your best interests in mind.