Traveling exposes your health to a number of threats, some minor others potentially dangerous. A lot of travel destinations, especially a tropical destination such as Bali, have germs and bacteria that do not exist in many travelers’ home countries. Travel itself can cause a host of health problems, too. Flying, for example, increases the chance of blood clot formation called deep veined thrombosis through poor circulation.
Here are some tips to ensure a healthy vacation.
Before Leaving
If you are planning to visit Bali, make an appointment at a travel clinic in your home country before you head off. Your doctors can help you prepare for the trip and will be aware of the standard inoculations required. Have a medical checkup and understand the current state of your health. You will learn what medicine you might need to take with you and other precautions to take based on your age and physical limitations if you have them.
Some of the recommended vaccinations for traveling to Indonesia are: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid fever, Rabies, Yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis. You need to have these vaccinations at least six weeks before you begin your trip as some vaccines won’t reach the highest protection until six after an immunization period. Ask you doctor for details.
Best to be prepared and that starts with the proper travel medical insurance. And be sure to bring your medicine in their original containers with your name and prescription. Taking along a basic first-aid kit would be helpful.
Consider these items for its contents:
- Medicines for diarrhea
- Cough and cold medicine
- Antihistamines for allergies
- Pain killers and fever reliever (such as paracetamol, ibuprofen)
- Medicines for motion sickness (such asdimenhydrinate) and anti nausea (such as promethazine)
- Antibiotic ointment, band-aid, hydrocortisone cream, sunscreen, lip balm
During Your Travels
These tips may save you from health issues that could ruin your trip.
- Food and water may carry germs that can cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and vomiting. You need to eat carefully. Eat in restaurants with decent sanitation. When you see well cooked, steaming hot food, that is generally a good sign. Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer. Avoid ice, tap water, and raw foods. Drink and brush teeth with bottled water and boiled water. Peel fruit yourself.
- Mosquitoes can spread germs through their bite. Therefore wear long sleeved and bright colored clothes to avoid insect bites and use insect repellents that contain DEET which work best. Use bed nets while you sleep.
- Wear sun block and clothes that block the sun. Too much sun will increase the chance of sunburn and skin conditions like melanoma. Don’t forget to drink a lot of bottled water to keep hydrated.
- Bali has a lot of traffic. Wear a helmet when riding a scooter or motorbike. Be very careful when driving or crossing streets.
- Tattoo needles may transmit infections, likeHIV for example. It is important to make sure the tattoo shop has proper sterilization methods.
- Avoid black henna temporary tattoos. The ink used may provoke allergic reactions ranging from rash, blisters, and some severe reactions may leave a scar.
- Keep your distance with monkeys, dogs, and other wild animals. Their bites may transmit diseases like rabies. You may need vaccinations if bitten.
- With recent cases of methanol poisoning, it is important to take precaution when drinking local alcoholic drinks such as the rice spirit called “arak.”For extra precaution, drink only bottled or canned drinks or bottles that you see opened.
The good news is Bali is also one of the most spectacular destinations on earth and traveling is highly enjoyable for most everybody if they are prepared. And preparation starts with proper insurance and ordinary common sense and sensibility. You’ll also need to know where to seek help in a medical emergency.Most of the popular tourist destinations in Bali are well equipped with medical assistance. Ambulance services can be obtained by calling 0361-3000911. BIMC Hospital Kuta and Nusa Dua are 24-hour open at your service and prepared with ambulance to retrieve emergency patients.
Enjoy traveling Bali
