Whilst on holiday, there are several unpleasant illnesses which can seriously affect our wellbeing and cause a proper havoc during the time we should be spending on rest and relaxation. It is always advisable to check the Foreign Office website before you travel for any health risks you may encounter in your holiday destination. Some can be prevented by using the appropriate vaccination and some can easily be avoided simply by using common sense.
Sunburn and sunstroke are the most typical conditions holidaymakers develop whilst on their beach holidays. In many cases we try to overcompensate for the lack of sunshine back at home by staying in the sun for too many hours, especially on our first days of the holidays. This may affect our body in many ways. First of all, our body needs some time to adapt to the difference in the climate. Furthermore, staying in the sun for too long can cause dehydration or in the worst cases sunstroke – severe rise in our body temperature often accompanied by fever or convulsions. Long exposure of our skin to the sun rays can also cause sunburn and in many cases melanoma, better know as skin cancer. To avoid these, we need to protect ourselves from excessive sun exposure, best by staying away from the sun between noon and 4 p.m. When in the sun, always try to wear a hat and sun glasses and stay in the shaded places as much as possible. Applying a high sun protection factor lotion to our skin is a must.
Upset stomach or diarrhoea are usually caused by poor food hygiene or drinking tap water. Sometimes even eating the washed fruits or vegetables in tap water can cause serious digestive problems due to various bacteria it may contain. Eating raw or rare meats, soft boiled eggs, ice cream, poultry or seafood in some hot climate countries can cause food poisoning, mainly due to the harmful bacteria like salmonella or E coli. Storing and cooking food in proper temperatures is essential when on holidays. Drink only bottled water and always wash your hands before and after your meal.
Air travel to long distances can sometimes cause deep vein thrombosis – a serious medical condition when a blood clot forms deep in a vein, especially affecting legs and possibly lungs, which can be fatal. The airlines nowadays inform all their passengers how to decrease the risk of DVT and amongst the most common recommendations listed are these: wear special elastic compression stockings; whilst airborne, try to move around the aircraft as much as possible or take small leg and foot exercises when sitting down; drink plenty of liquid and stick to a healthy diet.
When travelling to various worldwide holiday destinations, whether it is by air, land or water, we stay in airport halls, ferry ports, cruise ships and waiting areas which are usually crowded. This way a lot of flu and cold germs can easily be spread amongst a lot of people. To prevent yourself from contracting a flu virus, wearing a mask is well recommended. Wash your hands with soap or use the designated sanitization devices as often as possible. Use a tissue when sneezing and coughing. Drink plenty of liquids. If you know that you or any of your family members may be carrying a virus before you go on holiday, postpone your travel.
And finally, make sure you have the appropriate medical insurance before you travel. This is going to make your life much easier whilst on holidays and save you a lot of money in case of any complicated illnesses or accidents.
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