Green Light Pharmacy - Travel Health Service

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Helpful hints and advice

Visit a GP, nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic at least 8 weeks before your departure date, with a clear itinerary of your trip.

Make sure you have adequate travel insurance and that it covers the sort of holiday you are having - backpacking, adventure, skiing, cruise ship etc

If travelling in the EU, get your EHIC (replaces the E111) card for each family member, thereby ensuring you get the same level of healthcare as a local resident.

For background information on the state of health in the country you are visiting - goto the World Health Organization's site.



Most diseases can be avoided by taking simple precautions eg:

  • Avoid risky activities that may lead to accidents -
  • Riding a motorbike or scooter without a helmet
  • swimming in unfamiliar seas without life guards - in case of rips and tides
  • Overexposure to sun and risking sunburn
  • Over indulging in alcohol, or using illegal drugs can cloud your judgment
  • Exposing yourself to crime - be aware of your surroundings and keep expensive personal belongs out of sight.
  • Practice Safe Sex - use condoms, be careful with drinking alcohol.

Take care with food and water to help prevent diarrhoea, Typhoid and Hepatitis A -

  • Use only boiled, sterilised or bottled water - including for washing food, cleaning teeth.
  • Drink only bottled water - ensure the seal is not broken before use
  • Carbonated soft drinks, beer, wine and hot tea or coffee are usually safe
  • Avoid ice in drinks, unless you know the source of the water is safe
  • Ensure food is freshly prepared and still piping hot (avoid warmed food)
  • Avoid uncooked food especially (shell)fish - except food you can peel or shell yourself
  • Avoid ice cream and drinks from kiosks and street vendors
  • Avoid milk which may be unpasteurised
  • Wash hands after visiting toilet, and before preparing or eating food

Have any vaccinations and anti-malarials you need

Avoid insect bites -

  • Using a good quality insect repellant - like one containing up to 50% DEET applied on top of sunscreen, and for added protection sprayed onto cotton clothing.
  • DEET is safe in children over 2 months of age, up to 50% in all pregancy stages, and breastfeeding.
  • Covering up - especially after dusk
  • Sleep under a mosquito net (impregnated with repellant or permethrin)
  • Wearing light, loose clothing that covers as much as possible eg arms and legs
  • use plug-in vapourisers or burning coils to keep insects away
  • Consider taking Vitamin B1 - 1g per day starting two weeks before - as the smell in your sweat discourages insects biting (evidence is lacking)

Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) by -

  • Move and bend legs and feet (including toes) every half hour.
  • Take occasional walks once "seat belt sign" off
  • Drink plenty of water, but avoid alcohol which dehydrates and reduces mobility (as does sleeping pills)
  • sit comfortably without pressure points
  • Consider compression stockings or taking low dose aspirin (check with doctor or pharmacist first) if at risk of DVT

Elderly Travellers

  • Get Flu and Pneumococcal vaccinations if traveling in winter in that particular part of the world
  • Take all medications needed for the length of the journey, plus a 'buffer' to cover emergencies (carry half in hand luggage and half in hold luggage)
  • Take a note from your doctor listing (generically) the medicines you take and the conditions you have
  • Check about a "fitness to fly" certificate if you suffer cardiac or respiratory conditions
  • Check with the airline/shipping company if you have any special needs
  • Make sure your insurance cover is adequate, and lists pre-existing conditions.


Useful Travel Websites


The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) is funded by the Department of Health for travel medicine advice.


The Foreign and Commonwealth website for travel information.


Department of Health information on how to protect yourself from malaria, rabies, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis by planning ahead and taking some simple precautions while you're away.