It’s 4am and you are running to and from the toilet. It started with severe nausea, then persistent vomiting and now profuse watery diarrhoea.
Unfortunately, you must be at the airport at 6am to fly home!
A medical kit is very important when travelling overseas. Up to 50% of people will have a health problem in a two-week trip. It is particularly important for individuals travelling for business and those on a tight schedule.
Group travellers with multiple stops can also experience issues if the group must move on.
Most health concerns are annoying rather than serious. Consider taking any medications that you often use at home such as antihistamines. It is also sensible to have the kit in your on-board luggage. A problem can arise at any time,
Most travellers are unfamiliar with the generic names of drugs (eg. paracetamol) and can only remember the brand name (eg. Panadol) from home. This can make it very difficult when seeking appropriate medication through a local pharmacy particularly if there are language problems. Brand names differ from country to country, and the same name may be used for an entirely different drug.
Medications can cause harm if used inappropriately. You may be allergic to a particular class of drug, or it may have untoward interactions if taken with your other prescribed medications. Many medications can’t be taken during pregnancy. A discussion with your local doctor or pharmacist should help.
Care should also be taken with non-prescription medications. For example, some motion sickness medication can cause problems in males with prostate issues. Using an alternative might be sensible. If unsure, discuss with a pharmacist or your GP.
Fake and out-of-date drugs are a concern in many countries and can make up 40% of medications available.
For those individuals travelling “off the beaten track”, a well-stocked medical kit is ESSENTIAL.
Kits should be tailored to the destination, type of travel and length of stay. Individual differences may also impact on risk. These need to be considered when organising an appropriate kit. It might be more important for an older person to carry a course of medication for influenza when cruising than someone under 40 years. It is particularly important for an immune suppressed traveller.
