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Canadians make more than 100 million trips abroad yearly, for business and pleasure. It’s easy to protect yourself by having pre-trip vaccines and following safe travel practices while you’re away.
Make sure all regular vaccinations are current, including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Contact a travel immunization clinic 6-8 weeks before your trip to learn what vaccines are required for your destination. This gives you time to finish the complete vaccination regimen and build immunity. Even when traveling to your country of birth, studies show local immunity disappears within as few as 8 weeks of non-exposure.
Malaria aware
In most cases, anti-malarial medications must start a minimum of two weeks prior to departure. Anti-malarial medication doesn’t guarantee absolute protection against the disease; you must prevent mosquito bites. Use mosquito repellents when outside, especially between dusk and dawn. Sleep in well-screened or air conditioned accommodation or use a bed net. Wear trousers and long sleeves at dusk. Malaria incubates slowly, and it may be a while before symptoms appear. If you become ill within a year after you return, immediately advise your doctor that you’ve visited an area where malaria occurs. Symptoms may include racing heart, light headedness, shortness of breath and other general symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea and flu-like illness. |
Important tips
Consuming contaminated water or food can also make you sick. To stay healthy, remember to boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it! Always drink purified water or commercially bottled beverages, and only pasteurized milk. Avoid ice, salads, re-heated foods, raw or under-cooked meat or seafood, food from street vendors, and uncooked or unpeeled vegetables or fruits. Responsible hotels and resorts offer proper water management systems, including filtered and bottled water.
Wash your hands often with soap or a sanitizing agent, especially before eating or drinking. Should you experience diarrhea, be sure to drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration, especially in warm climates. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic (Cipro or Zithromax) and antidiarrheal (like Imodium) to take along for serious cases involving fever or blood in the stool. New oral Dukoral has been shown to prevent traveler’s diarrhea: one dose a few weeks before travel, and another dose a week before travel. Several probiotics may also provide a safe and effective method to prevent traveler’s diarrhea.
Traveling in winter is a special treat for Canadians. Following these simple steps can keep it that way. Bon voyage! H&L |
