HOW TO TRAVEL... WELL!

Don’t let nasty travel bugs spoil your dream holiday

- ALICIA PYKE

So you’ve picked the destination, saved the necessary funds and finalised your dream itinerary. Before you put the mail on hold and arrange for someone to feed the cat, there’s something else that needs to be looked after: your health.

“It’s really important that you take the time to plan how to stay healthy when you travel, because once you’re away it might be too late,” says Dr Deborah Mills, medical director of Dr Deb’s travel medicine clinics.

VACCINES ARE VITAL

When preparing for a trip, the first question your doctor will ask is where you’re headed. Different countries have different disease risks, and the requirements may change without widespread public notice.

“You really need to see a travel medicine specialist because the information changes all the time,” Dr Mills explains.

Even if you’re taking a short cruise in Australian waters, make sure your basic vaccines are up to date. Check the MyGov website to make sure you’re up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, and don’t forget the not-so-humble flu jab. “Influenza can make you sick for four or five days and really stuff up your trip, but it’s so preventable,” Dr Mills says. “Sometimes you’ll need a different flu vaccination if you’re going to the Northern Hemisphere, so every traveller should ask their doctor before they go.”

For more information on vaccinations, visit smartraveller.gov.au

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