posted by Travel Cat on Nov 23
How to reduce the risk of getting blood borne infections when traveling.
There is always a risk of illness or infection when you travel away from your normal environment or travel to another country. Your body is used to things where you are, but when you relocate, there are common infections or conditions that your body is not used to and so you can become ill.
Also, in many countries around the world, you will find that the standards of hygiene are not as high as back home, and so you are exposed to more medical and health risks than you normally would be.
Obviously, there are ways to reduce your exposure to some of these risks, and below are some tipss to avoid blood-borne infections.
What are blood-borne infections?
HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are all in this group, and can be passed on through direct contact with blood from an infected person. There is a vaccination available for only one of these - Hepatitis B - but the other 2 can only be avoided with suitable precautions.
There is no cure for these 3 infections, only treatment once you have got them. So one silly mistake on holiday could be with you for life - and more than likely shorten it too.
Below are some useful tips on avoidance:
1) Before setting out on a vacation or long-term travel, make sure you have read up on the risks of your destinations and are aware of how these illnesses are spread through the population. Know which groups are most at risk and avoid those if possible.
2) Make sure that you have all your medications and vaccination several weeks before travel at the latest so that you are protected from known exposures.
3) Ideally you would have a full medical and dental check up before leaving - explaining the length of time you will be away. This means that your dentist or doctor can estimate the potential problems you may encounter in that time and deal with them before they are an issue. This way you can avoid any unnecessary treatments while you are away, so avoiding the risks of using their equipment.
4) Purchase your own sterile medical kit depending on your length of travel and the countries you are visiting. These are available in many types, including basic medical, advanced medical, dental (with temporary fillings) and even blood substitutes and other treatments. Seek medical advice from a travel clinic to see which are the most suitable for your vacation and for your own needs and concerns.
5) Avoid unnecessary medical treatments while abroad. I once had a pharmacy in Egypt offer me an antibiotic injection for my cold. Not only was it not medically necessary, but it was unprescribed and might not even have been what they claimed. Why would I risk my life for a simple cold?
If you do need treatment, make sure all equipment is sealed in sterile bags before use. Having decent travel insurance is essential here, as the clinic or hospital will be paid for their best treatments by your insurance company. They can afford to crack open the sterile equipment for you, and you can afford to get the best treatment.
6) If you really do need that tattoo, then do the same - but it’s not just the needle that could hold blood. Same goes for medical beauty treatments, like Botox and acupuncture, etc.
7) And it goes without saying not to have unprotected sex.
Think of your long term health, not just for the short term pleasures. It could actually save your life.
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