General travel tips

[mannu]

Before Your Trip:
Here are just a few precautions you can take ahead of time:
• Make sure your immunizations are current.
• If possible, delay your trip if you're not feeling well.
• If you're prone to air sickness, ask for a window seat over the wing.
• If you have any health questions, or if you suffer from a chronic ailment, motion sickness, or fear of flying, ask for advice from your physician.
• Stress is bad for you. Reduce stress by allowing plenty of time to check in and reach your departure gate.
• Always carry your medication with you—never pack it in baggage you're planning to check.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes for your flight.
During Your Trip
Here are a few things you can do to feel good while you're flying:
• Eat lightly during your flight.
• Stay hydrated while you fly.
• Leave room under the seat in front of you so you can stretch out your legs.
• If conditions permit, try to stand up and walk around the cabin every once in a while.
At Your Destination
Here are a couple of things to remember once you arrive:
• Never purchase local medications unless you're familiar with them.
• Wear sun block and sunglasses in the tropics and at high altitudes.
• Drink a lot of water to minimize altitude sickness.

These sites offer comprehensive information about healthy travel:

[Bella]

Can anyone tell me which needles/immunisations i should be up to date with before travelling to South America? Planning to go to most countries over a 3 month period, and want to ensure i get all my needles before hand - but not sure which ones i need!
HELP

[Mark]

Hi Bella,

The following should get you covered:

• Vaccinations Yellow Fever (if you plan to go to the Amazon Basin), Typhoid (consists of two injections taken 4 weeks apart), Diphtheria-Tetanus, Polio, Cholera (only when necessary), Smallpox
  
• Medical Kit Depending on what you plan to do you can include the following:
  Antiseptic cream, aspirin, lomotil for diarrhoea, antibiotics, throat lozenges, ear and eye drops, antacid tablets, motion sickness medication, alcohol swabs, water purifier, lip salve, foot and groin powder, thermometer (in a case), surgical tape, assorted sticky plasters, gauze, bandages, butterfly closures, scissors and last but not least, first-aid booklet

Note: malaria pills are required in the Amazon basin, please be aware that those pills are very strong and you should check with your doctor before departure (I had the pills with me but didn't take them as I was hearing some horror stories of possible side effects).