Travellers leaving for developing countries should seek advice well in advance, travel health advisor MASTA has said.
In a recent study of European travellers, only half had sought travel health advice before travelling to a developing country.
And yet this is a market that is set to grow, with over 300,000 people aged between 18 and 35 taking a gap year, travel that often includes a developing country as a destination.
According to Lynda Bramham, senior nurse adviser at MASTA, travellers should "ideally seek advice at least six to eight weeks before travel" on health issues.
An example of why travellers should make plans so early was the TB vaccine, which often takes about eight weeks to be effective.
Other recommendations by MASTA were the carrying of a basic first aid pack, with the contents being decided by the type of journey.
"Things to consider include: painkillers, antiseptic spray, tweezers, plasters and small wound dressings, oral rehydration solution, thermometer, travel sickness medication if necessary, sunblock, camomile lotion, insect repellents, and antihistamine tablets, if anyone reacts badly to insect bites," said Lynda Bramham.
MASTA has collected this advice in an only Health Brief available at www.masta-travel-health.com.
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