Search Destinations (e.g. Byron Bay)

Travelling Well

Staying healthy while travelling can help to ensure your trip overseas is a happy and enjoyable one. The following information and health tips have been put together to help you have a hassle-free and healthy journey.

Insurance is essential

Organising comprehensive travel insurance before you depart can save you the worry of unexpected medical costs. Regardless of how healthy and fit you are, remember the first rule of travel-if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

When organising travel insurance, ensure you are covered for general medical expenses, existing medical conditions, hospitalisations and medical evacuations. Shop around for a policy that meets your needs and covers you the whole time you will be away. If you plan on participating in adventure tourism or sports like scuba diving or parasailing, be upfront about your plans with your insurance provider and ensure your policy covers these activities.

Don't base your insurance on the assumption that 'it wont happen to me'-accidents do happen and hospitalisation, medical evacuations, or even the return of a deceased person's remains to Australia, can be very expensive. Be aware when organising your insurance that uninsured travellers (or their families) are held personally liable for medical and associated costs incurred overseas.

Reciprocal health care agreements

Australia has health care agreements with Finland, Italy, Norway, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Under these agreements, Australians can be provided with urgent or emergency medical treatment overseas. However, general medical services are only provided when the need for treatment arises during the visit and it would be unreasonable to delay treatment until the individual's return to Australia.

It is important to remember that:

• you will only be covered by these health care agreements once you are in the specific country. Health problems which occur during travel to and from an agreement country are not covered
• health care agreements are no substitute for travel insurance. They will not cover you if a doctor recommends medical evacuation back to Australia.

If you wish to be treated under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia you must advise the medical staff in the country you are visiting. To prove you are eligible for treatment you will need to provide local authorities with:

• your Australian passport or other passport which shows you are a permanent Australian resident
• a valid Medicare card. If you do not have a valid Medicare card, or your card will expire while you are away, visit a Medicare office and arrange for a new card before travelling overseas.

Further information about international health agreements or call 132 011.

Vaccinations and health checks

Make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic to have a basic check-up and find out if any vaccinations or health checks are required at least 6-12 weeks before you depart.

Not all travellers to countries where there is a potential risk of infection need to be vaccinated but it is important that you discuss your personal travel plans with a doctor so they can determine the correct vaccinations for your trip.

Vaccines can prevent you from contracting some diseases, but it is important to remember:

• vaccines are not perfect. New vaccines are constantly being released but diseases continue to evolve
• some vaccines require a long period to take effect, but it is never too late to vaccinate
• health risks within a country can vary from locality to locality and local authorities may be slow to announce outbreaks of disease
• new diseases, such as SARS, can appear suddenly. Check out the latest travel advice for your destination before you depart and while travelling so you can ensure you have the latest information
• common infections contracted by travellers include those which follow eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Find out whether tap water and local food is safe to consume before you depart
• there are a number of mosquito-borne illnesses you can contract while overseas particularly in tropical areas. Be sure to take measures to avoid being bitten such as wearing light coloured, loose fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs, regularly applying an appropriate insect repellent and staying in mosquito proof accommodation.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a potentially fatal viral disease carried by certain mosquitos in parts of Africa and South America. If travelling to these areas you should check with your travel clinic or doctor whether the vaccine is required.

Yellow fever vaccine is only available from approved medical practitioners and must be given at least 10 days before travel to infected areas. You can obtain a list of locally approved yellow fever vaccinations providers from the Department of Health and Ageing's state and territory offices. Their contact details are on their yellow fever fact sheet available online.

Yellow fever may be spread by an infected traveller, so if you are travelling to a country where yellow fever is a risk, you may need a certificate showing proof of yellow fever vaccination. Without this certificate you may be refused entry to some countries, or required to be vaccinated upon arrival.

On return to Australia, if, within six days prior to your arrival, you have stayed overnight or longer in a declared yellow fever infected country in Africa or South America you will require a valid international yellow fever vaccination certificate.

The World Health Organization closely monitors reports of yellow fever infection and periodically publishes a list of countries where the disease occurs.

Further information

To find out more about healthy travel and vaccinations visit:

• World Health Organisation - the United Nations specialised health agency.
• Centres for Disease Control and Prevention - the principal agency in the United States government for protecting health and safety.
• Travel Clinics Australia - a national organisation of GP based travel health clinics.
• Travel Doctor - an international provider of travel health services, providing services in specific travel medicine clinics.
• The Travel Health Advisory Group (THAG) - an initiative between that travel industry and travel medicine professionals that promotes healthy travel.

Travelling with medicine

Before leaving home, you should check that your medications are legal in the country you are visiting. You can do this by contacting the country's embassy or high commission.

Since the National Health Act was amended in 1999, it has been an offence to carry or post Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines overseas unless they are for your personal use, or the use of someone travelling with you.

Only Australian residents living in Australia at the time a PBS prescription is dispensed are entitled to receive PBS-subsidised medication and there are restrictions on the amount of PBS medicine that can be carried or sent overseas.

When planning to travel overseas with PBS medicine it is important that you:

• talk to your doctor and discuss the medicine you will need to take
• carry a letter from your doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking, and stating that it is for your own personal use
• leave the medicine in its original packaging so it is clearly labelled with your name and dosage instructions.

If you intend to travel with large quantities of medicine, including over-the-counter or private prescription medications, you should ask your doctor, dentist or pharmacist to provide you with a letter explaining why you need to carry such quantities.

If you have to inject your medication it might be preferable to carry your own needles and syringes but you should check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to make sure this is acceptable. If you buy needles and syringes while overseas ensure you buy packs that are sealed and sterile. And, if you need to carry needles and syringes with you on the plane, inform your airline before you travel and if necessary, arrange a letter from your doctor explaining why you need to carry them.

It is important to be aware that some items purchased overseas may be packaged under a different brand name to those available in Australia. Keep an eye on the strength and active ingredients of similar-sounding medications overseas-they can vary.

More information on travelling with medicines is available from the Health Insurance Commission's website or by phoning the Overseas Drug Diversion information line: 1800 500 147.

Avoid trouble with illegal drugs overseas

Every year Australians are arrested overseas on drugs charges. Don’t be fooled into thinking it is worth risking carrying or taking illegal drugs overseas. Australians do get caught and the strict penalties in place, including the death penalty, do apply to foreigners.

To minimise your chances of getting into trouble with drugs overseas:

• obey the law – don’t purchase, take or travel with illegal drugs
• don’t leave your bags unattended in public areas
• don’t leave your bags in the care of a stranger
• never carry anything into or out of another country for someone else
• ensure your medicines are not considered illegal drugs overseas by contacting the nearest embassy of the country you are visiting before departing
• lock your luggage as a sensible precaution against tampering or theft. Information on luggage safety is available from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The United States has specific requirements regarding locks used on airline baggage. Visit the US Department of Homeland Security for further details.

Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to blood clots that form in the legs. These clots are dangerous because parts of the clot can break off and travel to major organs including the heart or lungs and cause life-threatening problems.

Anyone can contract DVT but existing conditions thought to contribute to the development of these clots during airline travel include age, obesity, smoking, genetic predisposition, recent surgery or trauma to the legs, varicose veins, pregnancy, taking an oral contraceptive, abnormalities of clotting and a history of cancer. Pressure changes in aircraft cabins may also play a part. If you are at higher risk, compression stockings or other medications may help, so if you are concerned about developing DVT speak to your doctor as part of your trip preparations.

Further information on DVT is available from most airlines and aviation authorities, including:

• Civil Aviation Safety Authority
• Qantas

TIPS FOR A HASSLE-FREE, HEALTHY JOURNEY

before departure:

• if you are prescribed malarial medication, take it as prescribed-prior to leaving, while in risk areas and when you return
• purchase and take with you enough medication to cover the length of the trip-it may not be available overseas
• make up a small medical kit. Include items such as headache tablets, antacids, antiseptic lotion, cotton wool, band-aids, latex gloves, safety pins, 30+ sunscreen and an appropriate insect repellent
• if your trip will involve increased physical activity such as walking and you are not exercising regularly, gradually build up your fitness (after receiving clearance from your doctor) weeks, or preferably months before you depart
• organise a variety of financial options for while you are away, including credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash
• find out whether essentials are readily available in your chosen destination. In some countries supplies of feminine hygiene products, nappies and contraceptives including condoms can be unreliable, so it may be best to stock up before you leave.

while flying:

• keep important medication with you in case your luggage goes missing
• continue taking your prescribed medication
• factor the effects of jet lag into your itinerary
• if you're scuba-diving, don't travel in an aircraft for at least 24 hours after your final dive

to help avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT):

• drink plenty of fluids (but avoid alcohol and caffeine)
• while seated stretch your feet and lower legs
• walk around the cabin at regular intervals.

while travelling:

• don't over exercise-especially in hot climates
• where local tap water is not safe, drink plenty of bottled water (also use this to brush your teeth) and always check the seal on the bottle
• avoid ice in cool drinks-freezing preserves germs, it does not kill them
• beware of uncooked food including salads and fruit that you cannot peel
• include 'rest time' in your travel itinerary
• wear comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen for sightseeing
• dress and behave conservatively, in accordance with local customs and sensitivities
• wear a pair of thongs when showering
• practise safe sex-HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease are widespread in many countries.

Travelling with a disability

If you have a disability and are planning to travel overseas, the first thing to remember is that Australia's arrangements for people with disabilities are among the best in the world. As it is unlikely that you will find similar facilities in many countries overseas, it is important to plan ahead.

Tips for travellers with disabilities

• Call airports and airlines well ahead of time to find out about services, including seating arrangements, special meals and shuttle services.
• Make reservations wherever possible and confirm all bookings and arrangements 48 hours beforehand.
• Notify others about your needs. Inform your travel agency or companies you are using such as airlines that you have a disability and the implications of the disability.
• Book direct flights where possible and when making bookings allow plenty of time for any necessary transfers between planes or other forms of transport.
• Contact the local tourist authority to find out if the public transport system accommodates your disability.
• Do not make assumptions. If you have checked that the bathroom is wheelchair accessible, also ask about the front steps-try to speak to somebody who has actually seen the facility.
• Contact relevant embassies to check rules and regulations about your aids-whether it be a wheel chair, a guide dog or medication.

If any of your aids need electric current, check the voltage used in the country you are visiting. Also check what adaptors are needed-the plug configuration can change.

See also Medicare Australia's information on Travelling Overseas.

The ten most important questions to consider when taking out travel insurance are as follows:

1. What am I covered for?

2. What are the main exclusions, conditions and limitations on the cover and do they apply to me or members of my travelling party?

3. Should I take advantage of free travel insurance provided by my bank or financial institution that issues my credit card and do these policies provide me with the same protection as the one I pay for myself?

4. Am I covered for pre-existing medical conditions and what does this term mean especially if I suffered from the condition a long time ago or am still receiving medical treatment?

5. What happens if I have to cancel the journey as a result of an illness to a friend or relative not travelling with me?

6. To what extent am I covered for luggage which is stolen from me whilst in my possession and what does "in my possession" mean? What is the test provided in the policy in this regard?

7. Am I covered for cancelled flights or tours as a result of the intervention of Government action or political events e.g. acts of terrorism?

8. Can I rely on a travel agent to choose a policy for me or should I do so myself, and how important is my travel agent in assisting with my claim?

9. How do I contact my insurance company if I am overseas (especially in an emergency in a remote place) and wish to make a claim? In what circumstances do I need to make a police report if goods are stolen?

10. What proof must I provide for losses I have incurred e.g. medical expenses, lost luggage and cancelled tours?

For a detailed review of the questions you should ask before selecting a travel insurance policy, please read the IOS travel insurance brochure at the following link on the Insurance Ombudsman Service's website

This information was provided by smartraveller, The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service. For more information, click here