Wellbeing mattersTravel health: before you go
For prolonged trips abroad or for those with a history of dental problems, the purchase of a sterile emergency dental kit is recommended. This is a recommended precaution where accessibility to reliable dental facilities may be unknown.
Working overseas can be a stressful experience. Situations that might usually be coped with may seem more difficult when removed from a usual environment, without the support of friends, family and colleagues. Ensure that emergency contact numbers are obtained before travelling and also leave these contacts with the University.
If an employee/student suffers from a mental illness it's advisable to check on the facilities in the destination country and be aware that local attitudes to mental health problems may differ from those in the UK. If an employee/student experiences difficulties with mental health issues when abroad, the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate may be able to offer assistance by:
- listening and helping with options
- help with contacting friends and family members if requested
- visit you in hospital or prison in line with usual procedures
- raise any concerns about your treatment or welfare with the responsible authority (such as a prison or hospital)
- help overseas medical staff contact medical staff in the UK who may be able to provide advice on your medical history
- give information about local medication suppliers
- be available, as appropriate, to offer assistance if you choose to remain overseas
- liaise with the University and the travel insurance company
Useful contacts
If airline regulations and airport security allow, carry medicines in hand luggage. If the medicine must be taken in injection or liquid form on a flight, carry a doctor’s letter confirming this.
If treatment includes taking controlled drugs (opiate pain-killers, some tranquillisers) a doctor's letter authorising their use should be carried to avoid difficulties when entering countries
Carry a copy of any prescriptions.
Ensure the medicines are legal in the destination country.
DVT is a serious condition where blood clots develop in the deep veins of the legs. This differs from mild ankle swelling that many people get during long-haul travel. A DVT may be associated with any form of long-distance travel whether by air, car, coach or train lasting longer than four hours. There's an increased risk of developing DVT when passengers remain immobile in the seated position for long periods.
Signs of DVT
- swelling
- pain
- tenderness
- redness
- all of the above signs are likely to occur at the back of the leg below the knee
- usually, though not always, affects only one leg
- pain may be made worse by bending the foot upward towards the knee
- the above signs may develop during the journey but more commonly hours or even days later
In some cases there may be no signs or symptoms of DVT in the legs and problems only become obvious when a pulmonary embolus (PE) develops, when the clot from the leg travels to the lungs. Fortunately, PE is rare. PE can cause breathlessness, chest pain and in severe cases, collapse.
Both DVT and PE, whatever the cause, are serious conditions and need urgent investigation and treatment.
HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are blood-borne diseases which are spread by:
- receiving un-screened blood or blood products
- sharing/re-using un-sterile hypodermic needles
- engaging in unsafe sexual behaviour
It is advisable to:
- take an Emergency Sterile Kit, available from the Occupational Health Service
- purchase a dental kit
- not to have tattoos or ear piercings carried out abroad
- take a supply of condoms if necessary
- intravenous infusion of blood or other fluid should only be administered if you are sure it has been screened or if it is absolutely essential to preserve life
Do not touch any animals. If bitten, scratched, or licked over any skin lesion the wound should be washed with soap or detergent and if possible, alcohol applied. Seek medical attention immediately. Vaccination is advised before travel to high-risk areas.
For diarrhoea, the most important treatment is to drink plenty to replace fluid loss. If diarrhoea is prolonged or severe, body salts may need to be replaced. Oral rehydration powders for example Dioralyte provide a convenient means for this. Anti-diarrhoeal tablets such as loperamide can be used to suppress diarrhoea symptoms when access to toilet facilities may be difficult. Fluid replacement remains important and anti-diarrhoeal medicines must not be used if you have a fever or the diarrhoea is bloody. Emergency Medication Travel Kit provides an emergency provision of these medicines.
This is the most common illness to affect travellers. It usually settles down after two to three days, but can cause significant illness, and can easily spread from one person to another. Prevention is most important. Follow these simple guidelines:
- don’t drink tap water or use it to brush teeth in countries with poor sanitation; use filtered, treated or bottled water instead
- wash hands immediately after using the toilet and before preparing/eating food
- all food should be treated as suspect unless it has been freshly and thoroughly cooked and served piping hot
- avoid salads, shellfish, unpasteurised dairy products, warm buffet foods, ice and foods left exposed to flies
- dehydration is a risk, fluids should be increased to satisfy thirst, and produce normal straw coloured urine, if urine is darker than normal it indicates dehydration and fluids should be increased
- sealed bottled water, soft drinks, and drinks made with boiled water are usually safe. Milk and dairy products should be avoided
Avoid sunburn. Overexposure can cause:
- dehydration
- heat stroke
- blisters
- long-term damage to the skin
- cancer
Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
Protect exposed skin with sunscreen lotion SPF 15 or higher, re-apply regularly and after swimming
Cover up. Wear sunglasses, lightweight natural fibre clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Increase fluid intake
Do not drink alcohol during the day.
Careful consideration should be given to travelling abroad when pregnant and if there are any concerns contact Occupational Health.
A written risk assessment must be completed as soon as possible following notification in writing to a Head of Department that a particular member of staff is pregnant or has returned to work as a 'new mother'. The assessment will be recorded on the 'New and Expectant Mothers' risk assessment form (S12). It's also necessary to review this risk assessment regularly to take account of ante-natal and post-natal conditions such as morning sickness and caesarean section. The assessment should be reviewed when a member of staff who is defined as a new or expectant mother is required to travel on University business.
If the risk assessment indicates that there are no additional risks to the new or expectant mother then this must be stated on form S12.