With the nights drawing in and the weather getting colder, some people may be planning a winter getaway. That may involve embracing the forthcoming winter and heading to the ski slopes, but it may equally involve heading south to catch some warmth and sun.
Whatever you plan to do, it is vital to make preparations to deal with any health issues you may face on holiday. Part of that will be to take out travel insurance that includes the necessary healthcare provision, but also to get any medications and vaccinations you might need for visits to some destinations.
Our travel health services are designed to help meet those needs, although the first thing you need to do is to establish just what you will need.
For example, if your plans involve skiing the Alps, or a trip to the Arctic to see the Northern Lights (although with the solar cycle at its peak, they are now frequently visible in Britain), you won’t need anti-malarial tablets or vaccinations. Instead, your travel insurance should cover against any mishaps, not least injuries while undertaking winter sports.
By contrast, many warmer parts of the world have a number of threats you need to consider, common examples including yellow fever, malaria and hepatitis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, the most recent year for which there were figures, there were 249 million cases in the world, but 233 million of these were in sub-Saharan Africa.
This shows that in many African countries in particular, you should take anti-malarial tablets as well as other precautions against mosquitoes like insect repellent and wearing long, light clothing. Although two vaccines now exist for young children, there is not yet one for adults.
Yellow fever is more widely spread and the WHO regards it as endemic in 34 African countries, as well as 13 countries in Central and South America. It is also found in other places in the tropics.
Not only is it wise to be vaccinated against this, as it is a very nasty and occasionally fatal virus, but some countries require a yellow fever certificate to be presented upon entry to prove you have had it.
Hepatitis, an inflammatory liver condition, exists in five forms, but A and B are the ones to be most concerned about in tropical countries and can be protected against by vaccination. Hepatitis A is a high risk in places with poor sanitation and inadequate food and water hygiene.
The B variety is a risk when coming into contact with body fluids, which may be increased when engaging in risky intimate behaviours.
You should check official health advice on whatever country you need to visit and speak to your GP if in doubt. Most of all, however, it is important to get any vaccinations you need several weeks before you go. If you leave it to the last minute, your immune system will not be primed to deal with an infection when you arrive at your destination.By taking good advice and getting the medication you need in good time, you will give yourself the best possible protection against any major threats to your health.