Travel Health Kit - Part II

By Grace and Jen Nee,

Edited by Ker Yee and Jordy

So, we had discussed on the common medications to prepare and bring for your vacation in Part I. Now, let’s take a step further to find out more on what is jet lag and types of vaccination that you can take as a prevention.

Vaccination/ Immunization

If you’re planning to travel overseas, you may need to get vaccinated to prevent some of the serious diseases found in other regions of the world.

Which jabs should travellers required?

Some countries have an International Certificate of Vaccination of Prophylaxis (ICVP) which requires proof of vaccination against certain diseases from the visitors before they are allowed enter to the country. For example, most of the tropical countries in Africa and South America do not accept travellers from countries where there is high prevalence rates of yellow fever (a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes) unless they have their vaccinations beforehand.

It is also essential that travellers should have the right vaccinations and health advice (based on their duration and season of travel) before travelling so that they can enjoy their trip to the fullest. Some vaccinations need to be started 6-8 weeks before departure. Therefore, travellers should seek for medical advices on the vaccinations needed before their upcoming holiday.

So, this is a brief guide on vaccine recommendations for some of the most visited countries around the globe:

• Africa - Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, Meningococcal disease, Malaria and Yellow Fever
• Cambodia - Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Japanese encephalitis
• China - Hepatitis A, Influenza, possibly typhoid and other preventable illnesses (such as rabies, Japanese and tick-borne encephalitis and cholera depending on the length of trip, season of the year and places visited)
• Fiji - Hepatitis A and B, Influenza
• India - Rabies, Japanese encephalitis
• Indonesia - Hepatitis A and B, Influenza, Cholera, Japanese encephalitis and Typhoid
• Thailand - Hepatitis A and B, Malaria, Typhoid and Influenza

Jetlag

Essentially, if you’re planning to travel abroad to the other end of the earth, one of the biggest issues you will encounter is jet lag. Jet lag is a series of symptoms which are caused by the disruption of the body’s “internal clock”, also known as “biological clock”. This disruption of our internal clock usually occurs when we are crossing multiple time zones and furthermore may lead to a few unfavourable symptoms. These symptoms may include malaise, difficulty in sleeping at night, mild indigestion, confusion, lack of attention and decreased in mental and physical performance. However, these jet lag symptoms normally will wear off as our body slowly adapt to the new time surroundings and time zone.

Jet lag seems to be inevitable but there are some general measures you can tale before your flight AND once you have hit the ground of your destination to ensure jet lag doesn’t ruin your first few days in a new country.

How to beat jet lag?

• Rest well before your departure and utilise any opportunity to rest during the long-haul flights. Short naps can be helpful during the flight journey.

• Take melatonin

·   Melatonin is a chemical that causes your brain to release hormones which makes you sleepy. It is often sold as a food supplement which is available over the counter but there are some countries require prescription for melatonin, such as New Zealand and unfortunately, it is not available in Malaysia.

·      However, it is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to the unknown side-effects of melatonin, particularly in long-term use. Hence, you should seek for your doctor or pharmacist's advice before taking melatonin.

• Controlling your light exposure.

·    This is the most effective measure to fight jet lag. The cycle of light and darkness is one of the most crucial factors in regulating the body’s internal clock. Adaptation will normally take place in a well-time exposure to daylight or the sun. When flying from the east to west, exposure to daylight in the evening and avoidance in the morning (i.e. by using sunglasses or eye shades) may improve jet lag; when flying from the west to east, exposure to daylight in the morning and avoidance in the evening are normally suggested.

• Adjust your schedule/ plans before you leave

·   Upon reaching your destination, try to create the optimum conditions when preparing for sleep and try to get as much sleep as possible in the first 24-hour upon arrival. The most recommended amount of sleep should be minimum of 4-hour-sleep during the local night to allow the body’s internal clock to adapt to the new time zone.

·      Exercise during daytime may also improve your good night’s sleep. However, strenuous or excessive exercise should be avoided.

 

• Consume light meals and limit alcohol consumption.

·    Sleep may be disturbed when alcohol is consumed. This is because alcohol increases urine output and urge of urination. Alcohol can accelerate the onset of sleep but it might impair the quality of sleep. Caffeinated drinks, such as soft drinks, coffee and tea, should also be limited to small amounts or avoided within 4-8 hours before sleep.

Frequent flyers normally adapt to jet lag in a short time. However, minor individuals react in different ways to time zone changes. It is encouraged that travellers should learn how their bodies react and adapt to new surroundings accordingly.

Advice for Travellers with Pre-existing Medical Conditions

As much as you wish to stay away from your daily routine during the holidays, you must not stop taking your medication if you have pre-existing medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems. For example, an inhaler needs to be with an asthmatic patient at all times while for a patient with heart problems, GTN (a medication used to relieve chest pain during emergency) should always be carried with them.

If you are concern of the amount of liquids that might prevent you from taking your medication to the flight, it shouldn’t be a problem. As long as your medications are accompanied by the relevant documentation (such as a prescription) from your doctor, you should be allowed to take on board with you to your flight.

If you are having diabetic conditions, please seek for medical check-up to make sure your blood sugar control is optimal before you enjoy your holiday. Please ask for a prescription and a letter from your doctor. The letter should explain what you need to do for your diabetes, such as using insulin injections or taking pills. Besides that, it should list insulin, syringes, and any other medications or devices you use. The prescription should be for insulin or diabetes pills. You should have more than enough insulin and syringes or pills to last through the trip. But the prescription may help in case of emergency.

The prescription laws may vary from countries to countries. If you're going out of the country, do some research about the laws where you'll be going.

Below are some TIPS on how to prepare and pack your regular medications for the trip:

Tip #1

Prepare enough prescription medication that will last you for the whole trip. Don’t forget to prepare some extras in case of emergencies or if you wish to extend your stay.

Tip #2

Always carry your medication in your hand luggage or places that you can easily assess. Never put your medications in your checked-in baggage in case your bag is lost or delayed by the airline.

Tip #3

Remember to get a letter from your doctor to prove your entitlement to the prescription medication. It is important for you to carry it with your medications at all times in case there is an airport security check.

Tip #4

Always keep your medication in its proper/original packaging. It is also advisable to keep a separate note of your medication’s name in case you lost your current medication or it is being stolen. This way, you may still be able to purchase it even though you are in a foreign country.

Tip #5

Consider the climates of your travel destination as it might affect your medication. For example, in a diabetic patient who takes insulin, it is advisable to take a cool bag to store your insulin if you are visiting a hot country.

Tip #6

Many travellers tend to forget their normal routine to take their medication during their holidays. Therefore, always ask your family or loved ones to constantly remind you to take your medication. You won’t want your condition to be worsen after your vacation isn’t it?

Tip #7

For patients with asthma who uses the inhaler or heart problem patient who requires the GTN, always make sure that you have one next to you at all times! Like they always say, always expect the unexpected.

If your medication is an important part of your daily life at home, why should you neglect it during your vacation? Always, always, ALWAYS do some research or discuss with your nearest doctor or pharmacist so that you will be well prepared to have a chaotic free holiday.

So, if you still think that preparing your travel medication kit is daunting, think twice!! After reading both Part I and Part II article, you should be able to pack your travel health kit as easy as ABC.

Let’s put it this way, you should know the importance of a complete travel health kit. If you are well protected and fully equipped with the basic knowledge and medications, you won’t have to struggle for the risks and consequences while travelling. So, prepare your travel health kit and enjoy your holidays!