Don't let something controllable stop you from enjoying this
When it comes to going on holiday, most holidaymakers finish their planning once they find their passport. However, new research has revealed that we need to become savvier when it comes to thinking about our holiday health. We forfeit travel insurance for magazines at the airport and often don’t consider any health issues that could arise while we're away.
With the Autumn Half Term nearly upon us, and with people looking to head off further afield to more exotic locations in search of some winter sun, the need to think about staying healthy is even more important.
New research has shown that Brits are seriously unprepared for their holidays, especially when it comes to considering their health. Six in ten adults have admitted to falling ill whilst on holiday, which is unsurprising as health comes in at the bottom of the list of concerns after being robbed and the flight crashing.
Concerns about different food, water or environment mean the top destinations Brit’s perceive as high risk are Africa, India and Pakistan.
In reality, the top three places where holidaymakers fall ill are Spain, Greece and France. Over 40 per cent of UK travellers experience Travellers’ Diarrhoea each year making it the primary health problem encountered while abroad.
A bout of this can be costly in terms of both days lost on the sun lounger or exploring your destination of choice, but also money from associated medical costs - particularly in more severe cases.
To help protect you and your family from Travellers’ Diarrhoea, Trailfinders Travel Clinic has these top tips to ensure a happy, healthy trip abroad:
• Avoid tap water unless you are 100 per cent sure it is safe to drink. This applies to ice cubes, washed salads and when brushing teeth. If unsure, drink only bottled water with a sealed lid.
• Use antibacterial gels and wipes to clean your hands before eating.
• Take Bimuno prebiotic before you travel to build up your immune strength and digestive protection.
• Ensure you eat well cooked meat and eat it whilst it’s hot
• Avoid shellfish and other seafood if it is not properly cooked
• Only eat fruit that you can peel yourself
• Avoid food exposed to flies
In this video, Dr George Kassianos, GP and Secretary of the British Travel Health Association gives you his top tips on how we can prepare for our holidays and keep our health as a top priority.