Green Light Pharmacy - Travel Health Service

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 Orginization'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.