The time of year has come where many families in Singapore will be making use of the June school holidays or overseas vacation. In view of this recent influenza A H1N1 outbreak, we have compiled the following travelling advices.
Vaccination
Influenza vaccination is advisable for all except for babies < 6 months, women in 1st trimester pregnancy and those with history of egg allergy or allergy to previous influenza vaccination. If you are travelling to some exotic destination, other vaccinations may be required e.g. Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B etc. Kindly consult our doctors at Raffles Medical Clinics to plan your vaccination before your trip.
Health Maintenance during Travelling
Influenza virus spreads via infected droplets from coughing and sneezing and also through contact of contaminated surfaces as the virus can survive for up to 2 days on non-porous surface in cold weather. Maintaining good personal hygiene will go a long way in protecting you and your family from catching the virus. Here are some tips:
- Regular hand washing with soap and water (or the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers)
- Before and after meals
- Before and after food preparations
- Before touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands
- After using the toilets
- Whenever you think you may have contacted or touch areas that may be contaminated such as public eating areas etc
- After handling animals or pets
- Keeping away from crowded places with poor ventilations
- Keeping away from enclosed places during the peak of influenza epidemic such as cinemas
- Keeping away from areas where there is increase risk of contact with bodily fluids such as saliva or nasal discharges e.g. swimming pool or spas
- Eating well cooked dishes as the virus can thrive on uncooked dishes
- Avoid sharing of food; use a serving spoon when sharing food dishes with your friends and family
- Avoid sharing of personal items such as toothbrush, face towels and hand towels
Other than the above, you and your family should also ensure adequate rest while having fun. You should encourage a healthy intake of more fruits (preferably fruits needing to be peeled) and vegetables. You should also encourage each and every one to take adequate fluids daily (about 1.5 to 2 litres). Excessive alcohol and smoking should be avoided as they may reduce your body’s immunity.
Travelling Kit
It is advisable that you bring along a
travelling medical kit for personal use and protection. Items that should be included are:
- Bandages
- Water resistant plasters
- Cotton Buds for application of cream
- Gloves
- Alcohol swabs
- Sterile gauze
- Safety pins
- Small forceps for picking out foreign bodies from wounds
- Scissors
- Antiseptic wash e.g. Unisept
- Antiseptic cream
In view of the recent flu epidemic, you should also consider bringing along:
You can approach our clinics to get a pre-pack travel kits and
flu kit with the necessary items.
Travelling Medical Insurance
You should consider taking up travelling insurances for yourself and your family. This allows for medical fee coverage in the event of medical emergencies as health care expenditure in some countries can be very high.
Be Updated and Alert
While travelling and having fun, you should continue to be aware of the situation around the world and the country that you are travelling to for any further development of the influenza A H1N1 epidemic. You can also log in to www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com, click on the H1N1 section for further updates.
Wishing you and your family a very happy and enjoyable holiday.