Health solution by Health-Informationworld

Nothing is more exciting than a holiday in the sun in the middle of winter or exploring new and different countries during your summer vacation. It is wise to take some precautions before you travel so that you can stay healthy and enjoy your holiday.

Part of your holiday planning

Before travelling outside North America or Western Europe, you should seek travel health advice. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit provides travel advice and immunizations upon request by appointment. A public health nurse will enquire about your health and ask you certain questions such as when you are leaving, where you are going, what you will be doing while you are there, and how long you will be staying. An appointment will be made to meet with a nurse to talk about your travel plans and receive immunizations if required.

Eat, drink and be healthy

Watching what you eat and drink will help to avoid many problems. Drink only water that has been boiled or sterilized. Bottled drinks are usually safe to drink. Avoid ice, unless you are sure it is made from properly treated water. Eat food that has been carefully cooked and is still hot when served. Avoid raw seafood and other raw foods, except fruits and vegetables that you have peeled or shelled yourself. A good rule is: "Cook it, peel it or leave it." Boil unpasteurized milk before drinking it. Be sure that meals bought from street vendors are thoroughly cooked in your presence and do not contain any uncooked foods.

Vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccine is required in certain countries in Africa and South America. The health unit is an official yellow fever vaccination centre. Most other vaccinations, such as the hepatitis A and B vaccine, are recommendations only. Hepatitis A is a risk in most areas of the world except North America, Australia and Western Europe. You can get it from contaminated food and water. Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver, which can lead to yellowing of the skin (jaundice) that can last a month or more. Other symptoms are tiredness, stomach pains and general weakness. Children may show no signs at all. Hepatitis B, unlike hepatitis A, is found in bodily fluids such as blood. It is spread by having sex with an infected person, or by contact with contaminated body fluids.

Everyone should have a booster shot for tetanus and diphtheria every 10 years. There are other travel vaccines that may be needed in some cases. The public health nurses at the travel clinic are available to help you decide which vaccines will be needed. There is a fee for most travel vaccines however, some medical insurance plans may pay for part or all of the cost.

Mosquito precautions

Many diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, can be transmitted through mosquitoes. Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes that bite between dusk and dawn. It is a risk in many countries in the world. There is no vaccine against malaria, but medications, called anti-malarials, are available. The travel clinic has the most up-to-date information on what medication is recommended if you are travelling to a malaria infected area, as well as other useful information about malaria and preventing mosquito bites. You must get the anti-malarial medication from your doctor. No medication gives total protection; that is why it is important to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible:

source :-http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=877114