Planning a trip can raise many questions, especially about staying healthy while away.
Read Kylie’s tips below so you’re prepared for anything that comes your way:
Which vaccinations do I need if I’m travelling?
It’s always good to be prepared, no matter where you go.
The kind of vaccinations you need depends on the following1:
- The country of travel. Some countries have entry requirements specifying the vaccinations you need to have.
- The season of travel, e.g. some diseases are more prevalent in Winter, like the flu (influenza).
- Your age and vaccination history.
- If you have underlying medical conditions.
It's also good to stay up-to-date on routine vaccinations, including1:
Your doctor or your local Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist can advise you on the type of vaccinations you may need. We also offer the routine vaccinations mentioned above, which you can book here.
I always feel sick when I travel by plane, train, car or boat. Is there anything I can do to help?
It sounds like you get motion sickness while travelling, which can be tough.
Motion sickness is thought to be caused by a mismatch of information between what your eyes are ‘seeing’ and what your brain is receiving from your inner ear.
For example, if your eyes can see that you’re sitting still but your inner ear can feel the motion of the car, this can confuse your brain and lead to motion sickness2.
You can try and ease the symptoms of motion sickness, which include dizziness, headaches and nausea, by2:
- Offering to be the driver if you’re travelling by car, as your focus on the road and the horizon can reduce motion sickness symptoms.
- Trying to focus on an earth-fixed object, which is usually the horizon if you’re on a boat or out the front window if you’re in a car.
- Getting as much fresh air as possible, as smoke or fumes can make you feel worse.
- Closing your eyes, as some people have found that this helps eliminate sensory confusion.
Some people take travel sickness medicine that calms their stomach, but they are most effective if you take them before you feel sick.
Others prefer pressure bands, as they can help with motion sickness by stimulating the acupressure points on the wrists relieve nausea.
What should I pack if I regularly take medications?
You should make sure you have enough medicine for the duration of your trip as well as a few days extra in case there are travel delays.
Other tips for travelling with medications:
- Check with embassies in the countries you are visiting to make sure your medicines are permitted there.
- Check which documentation you need to bring with you, as you may need to fill in a repeat of your prescription while you’re overseas or need a letter from your doctor to justify carrying certain medications.
- How your medication will be stored. Does anything require refrigeration, or will it be okay over a long-haul flight?
- Bring some medication in your carry on, in case your main baggage (or your checked luggage) is delayed or lost.
If you have other questions about what you need before travelling on an adventure, visit your local Blooms The Chemist team and let them know where you’re going.
Our friendly team would love to help you find what you need for your journey and more!
References
1Australian Government, Immunisation for travel, accessed 28 October 2024
2Better Health Victoria, Motion sickness, accessed 28 October 2024