If you’re living with a medical condition it’s also important
to take out the right insurance that provides cover for it. In the travel insurance world, this is called pre-existing medical conditions cover, and many policies offer additional cover. To find the best travel insurance deal, including if you
have a pre-existing condition to declare, try using a price comparison website, such as:
•
www.moneysupermarket.com •
www.comparethemarket.com •
www.gocompare.com •
www.confused.com
On each of these websites you have to enter your details, including your age, destination and whether or not you have any health conditions. You'll then get a list of all the travel insurance companies that offer the insurance you're looking for, along with an estimate of the cost. Alternatively you can use a service from the British
Insurance Broker’s Association that helps people find insurers who specialise in insuring older people as well as those with medical conditions. Call the association’s helpline on 0870 950 1790 or visit
www.biba.org.uk for more information. Having your travel insurance sorted out early means you
can usually claim for cancelling your trip on health grounds, which means you may be able to get back all or at least some of the cost of your holiday.
Taking medicines abroad If you take prescription medicines, pack enough for your trip plus extra in case some are lost or you’re delayed and keep them in your hand luggage (speak to your GP or local Careway pharmacist about the amount of medicines you should take with you before you go). Also ask your GP for a print-out of your prescription – keep this in your hand luggage too as it may help you avoid any problems at customs or if you need medical help while you're away. Make sure your medicines are in their original packaging and that the prescription label with the name and contact details of the dispensing pharmacy is clearly visible. It’s also important to check that any medicines you’re
taking away with you – including over-the-counter remedies – aren’t banned or classed as controlled drugs in the country you’re visiting.
• For more details about taking medicines abroad, visit
www.travelhealthpro.org.uk and search medicines and travel.
Looking after yourself There are lots of things you can do or be aware of to make your trip safer and more enjoyable. For instance, if you’ve travelled across several time zones you may need to plan a quieter day when you arrive to help recover from jet lag and acclimatise to the new time zone at the end of your journey. Here are some other tips that may help, including advice for your journey and when you reach your destination:
Stay out of the heat Try to avoid being in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day and protect all areas of exposed skin from the sun by using a good- quality sun cream (see page 13 for more information about sun protection).
Drink plenty of water Stay well hydrated, especially in hot weather, and carry a bottle of water with you when you’re out and about. If you’re not absolutely sure about the safety of the water supply, only drink bottled water that’s properly sealed, even at your hotel. Also avoid drinking from taps, wells or fountains when you’re out and about, and ask for drinks without ice (as ice will almost certainly be made from tap water).
All About health 9
Travel vaccinations
Remember, if you're going abroad to a country that might be affected by tropical diseases, it's best to protect yourself against them by seeking expert travel health advice regarding any vaccinations or antimalarials that you may need. To find out if you need travel vaccinations, visit
www.masta-travelhealth.com six to eight weeks before you travel. You could also ask your GP or pharmacist for advice about which jabs you may need and where you can get them (you may have to pay for some of them).
Choose food wisely Reduce your risk of getting traveller’s diarrhoea by avoiding eating seafood, undercooked meats, peeled raw fruits and vegetables and unpasturised dairy products, as well as food from street vendors. If you experience food poisoning, take regular sips of room- temperature bottled water. If you have diarrhoea for more than a day, however, and are taking prescription medicines, see a doctor, as having diarrhoea can make some medicines less effective.
Keep your valuables safe When you’re exploring a busy town or city, try to be vigilant and keep your belongings close to your person. If you’re carrying an expensive gadget, such as a camera, don’t advertise the fact – keep it hidden if possible. Also try not to wear expensive jewellery (or at least not to have it on show), and keep traveller’s cheques and credit cards on your person rather than in a bag, such as in a money belt that you wear under your clothes.
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