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If you are planning to fly out of the country during the forth coming summer break, make sure you stay healthy and happy during your relaxing days.
There are different health risks that may affect travellers based on their travel destination, planned activities and individual health status. According to The Health Authority Abu Dhabi(HAAD), take these tips into consideration to ensure healthy and safe travel for you and your family.
Before you travel:
Visit your doctor one month before you travel, the doctor will need to know:
> Your age.
> Your current health status.
> Your medical and vaccination history.
> Where you are travelling to (all destinations you intend to visit).
> The types of activities you might be involved in during your visit.
Make sure that your doctor knows this information about you and your family members who will be travelling with you in order to assess your health and any requirements you need for your trip
Vaccination:
Make sure that you and your family members are fully vaccinated according to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi vaccination schedules. Provide your doctor with your vaccination record to ensure that your vaccination status is up-to-date. Some vaccines are required or recommended before travelling to specific countries to avoid the risk of getting common infectious diseases.
These might include:
>Meningococcal vaccine
>Influenza vaccine
>Yellow fever vaccine
> Pneumococcal vaccine
>Hepatitis A vaccine
>Hepatitis B vaccine
>Typhoid vaccine
>Rabies vaccine
Always check with your doctor regarding the required vaccines before travelling as the international health travel guidelines and recommendation are updated frequently.
Food and Water Safety and Hygiene:
When you travel, be careful about the food and water you consume because unsanitary food and water can cause illness and spread diseases.
Always take the following precautions:
> Wash your hands with soap and water:
> Before and after eating.
> Before preparing food.
> After using the toilet.
> After coughing or sneezing.
> Drink only bottled or boiled water, and avoid drinking tap water and ice cubes.
> Wash raw fruits and vegetables in clean water before eating, or peel fruits if you cannot wash them.
> Eat food that is well-cooked and served hot.
>Eat and drink only dairy products that have been pasteurized.
Travelling with children:
Travelling with children requires some special precautions to keep your children healthy:
> Ensure your children are up-to-date with childhood and school vaccinations based on their age and grade.
> Ask the doctor about medicines that your children may need during travelling
> For nursing babies, breastfeeding is the safest way to feed your baby and to protect them from getting sick.
> If you are not breastfeeding and your child drinks formula, you may need to take enough for your whole trip as the type of formula your baby uses may not be available where you are travelling.
> If your children are eating solids, take their favourite healthy food or snacks with you.
>Feed your children food that is well-cooked and served hot.
Travelling during pregnancy:
Pregnancy is not an illness and should not prevent you from travelling.
However, it is important for you to take care of yourself to ensure that you remain healthy and to protect your developing baby.
> Ask your doctor if your health status allows you to travel.
> Take documents with you stating your pregnancy conditions, general information about your health and your expected date of delivery.
>If you are flying, check the airline's policy in advance about travelling when pregnant.
> Usually, pregnant women are allowed to travel until they reach 36 weeks of pregnancy as a maximum.
> Every half hour during the flight, stand up and walk, or flex and extend your legs to prevent swelling of the feet and to improve blood circulation.
> Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
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