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Good health is essential for successful travel. Nothing can spoil
it more that becoming ill. Take preventive measures before you
leave home. Study the area that you plan to visit - its climate,
elevation, humidity, the quality of its water, the availability
of medical services - to ensure you will have a good trip. Find
out what vaccinations you need for the places you plan to visit
and get them well in advance in case you get a reaction.
Prescription drugs
Take along a copy of your prescriptions for necessary
medicines. Ask your doctor to include the generic name
as some trade name prescriptions may not be available in Australia.
Keep medicines in their original labeled container. If
you need to take medications containing habit-forming or narcotic
drug with you, carry a doctor's certificate attesting to that
fact. These precautions will make Australian customs
processing easier... To ensure you do not violate Australia's
narcotic laws, consult the Australian embassy or consulate.
Medical alert
Signing up with a medical data service can make travelling less
worrisome. If you have allergies, reactions to certain medicines,
or other unique medical problems, like diabetes or heart trouble,
consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying a medical
alert card in your wallet or purse. It;'s a compact card available
at most pharmacies stating any special medical conditions, allergies,
and your blood type.
Leave a copy of your medical and dental records with your
family or other contact person.
Jet lag
Most travellers can only manage three time zone changes without
feeling jet lag. It's best to get plenty of rest before departure
and sleep as much as you can on the plane or rest with your eyes
closed... For a few days before departure, if you are travelling
west, go to bed a few hours later than you normally would. If you
are travelling east, go to bed a few hours earlier. Eat lightly
on departure day, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid alcohol. Order
plenty of fluids, but try to avoid coffee. Try to get some exercise
before the flight. Walk around the airport. Avoid sitting down
while waiting to board.
Altitude sickness
If you live at a low altitude and travel to one that is higher
by more than 5.000 feet, you can expect to take 10 to 14 days to
adjust to an altitude change. You may tire easily, so reduce physical
activity until you become accustomed. Avoid alcohol as it will
have more pronounced effects... Altitude sickness symptoms include
headache, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and insomnia. Altitude
sickness is generally cured by descending to a lower altitude,
and if needed, take oxygen. Severe cases can become life threatening.
At the fist signs of fatigue, take a break.
Sight saving tips
Take an extra pair of eyeglasses in case the first is lost
or broken. If you cannot afford a second pair, take along an older
pair. Take along enough cleaning solutions for contact lenses and
spare lenses. Even if you wear contacts, it is imperative that
you take along a pair of conventional glasses. Take eye ointment
and a good decongestant eye drop, sunglasses, extra batteries for
hearing aids, and other health related items. Carry these and any
medications you need in your carry-on luggage.
Sunburn
Australians are having a hard time letting go of the idea
of a "healthy tan". A suntan is not healthy. Exposure
to the sun is the primary cause of skin cancer. It also causes
long-term skin damage and premature wrinkles. You should stay out
of the sun during the middle of the day between 10.00am and 3.00pm
or wear protective clothing or a sun block with SPF 15 or higher.
It should also be waterproof if you plan to swim. Get one that
protects you from different kinds of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Make
sure your sunglasses protect your eyes from UV, otherwise you might
increase your risk of developing cataracts and retinal damage...
also see Sun
Safety.
Dressing for travel
When you know the climate you will know how to dress. For the
Central and Northern regions of Australia, you should wear pure
cotton and the clothes should be loose-fitting. Light coloured
clothes
reflect
rather
than absorb
light. Clothes made of cotton/synthetic blends won't crease,
are easily washed, and are good for tropical climates. In Australia's
alpine regions during winter take long johns, a jumper (sweater),
and wool ski pants. wool socks are best. Wear a windbreaker and
long-sleeve shirts. Wear a wool cap that extends down over your
ears and wear gloves. Consider the wind-chill factor and altitude
as the wind combined with the cold makes the body feel it is much
colder. Limit the amount of clothing you pack, but make sure it
is adequate for the climate... see Australian
climates
Sexually transmitted diseases
To reduce the risk of HIV and AIDS and antibiotic - resistant
STD's, travellers should avoid anonymous partners, prostitutes,
and other persons who have or could have multiple sex partners...
Avoid contact with anyone if you are aware of a genital discharge,
warts, herpes lesions or any other suspicious genital lesions,
AIDS, or evidence of HIV infection... avoid anal contact and genital
contact with oral "cold sores"... Males should use condoms.
Females should use diaphragms and spermicide but also insist male
partners use condoms... If any symptoms of STD develop, see a physician
immediately to receive appropriate treatment.
Health insurance
For travellers who become seriously ill or injured on a trip to
Australia, getting medical care in an Australian hospital can be
costly. Make sure your medical insurance policy provides adequate
protection for you and your family while in Australia. If you wish
to get supplemental medical coverage, consult your health insurance
company or contact your state insurance association for information
on available protection for travellers.
Travel-specific insurance policies written by major
insurers are available through Holidays Allover to cover doctors
visits, hospitalisation, and outpatient care costs while in
Australia. Air ambulance coverage is a plus in case you need medical
assistance to return home from overseas. For a 2-week stay, you'll
pay from approximately AU$100 for a single person to AU$220 for
a family. Be sure to check maximum payout's, age restrictions,
and
which
services
aren't covered.
After you're home
If you become ill after you return home, tell your doctor where
you have been. Most persons who get viral, bacterial, or parasitic
infections abroad become ill within 6 weeks after returning. Some
diseases may not manifest themselves immediately, such as malaria,
so it is advisable if you become ill, to tell your doctor where
you have been to aid in the correct diagnosis. 
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