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Travel first aid kit Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2009.

Answers to questions about travel first aid kit

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Is there anything in particular I should be aware of if I'm pregnant and need to travel?

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated and your general health is good, you will usually be able to travel abroad until close to the expected date of your delivery, but you should contact your GP or midwife for advice. Take a basic travel first aid kit and ask your GP or midwife what extra items and medicines you might need.

Explanation

If you're pregnant, you shouldn't take medicines of any type without contacting your GP for advice. You should take a basic travel first aid kit in case of any minor accidents or injuries.

If you're taking any medicines, make sure that you pack enough for your whole trip. Allow for a few days delay either side. It's useful to carry a letter from your GP stating which medicines you need and what they are for, as this may be needed at customs.

If you're pregnant, you're at risk of serious complications if you contract malaria, and it's best not to travel to areas where this disease is common. There will also be certain medicines which help prevent malaria that you can't take if you're pregnant. Your GP will be able to advise you about this. If you have to travel to an area where malaria is common, there are still things that you can do to help prevent malaria.

Airlines have travel restrictions in place for women in late pregnancy, so you should check with your airline before you travel. Usually, after the 28th week of pregnancy, you will need a medical note from your GP or midwife saying that you're healthy enough to fly. You won't usually be able to fly after your 36th week of pregnancy, or your 32nd week if you're having twins or triplets.

Further information

Sources

  • Health risks and precautions: general considerations. International travel and health. World Health Organization. 2007. www.who.int
  • Malaria. International travel and health. World Health Organization. 2007. www.who.int
  • Mode of travel: health considerations. International travel and health. World Health Organization. 2007. www.who.int
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I'm worried about catching any diseases from animals when I'm abroad. How can I try to prevent this happening?

There are infections that you can catch from being bitten by an infected animal or insect, or by coming into contact with infected body fluids or faeces from animals. You can prevent yourself becoming infected by staying away from any animals in areas where they may be infected.

Explanation

Zoonosis is the name given to an infection that you can catch from an infected animal. Examples of zoonoses are rabies (serious inflammation of the brain) and leptospirosis (a serious bacterial infection), both of which can be fatal.

If you're travelling to an area where rabies is likely to be present, you may need to be vaccinated before you travel. You should contact your GP or travel clinic for advice.

It's a good idea to hang mosquito nets over where you're sleeping to protect yourself against being bitten by insects such as mosquitoes. DEET (diethyltoluamide) is the most effective mosquito repellent. DEET in lotions, sprays or roll-on formulations is safe and effective if applied regularly. They can be bought from most pharmacies. DEET products also include wrist and ankle bands.

Wearing long sleeves and trousers can also help provide protection against biting insects.

You should always include antiseptic wipes in your basic first aid travel kit. These are useful for cleaning small wounds if you do get bitten by an animal. Make sure you clean the wound thoroughly and use an antiseptic spray or cream as well.

Always get advice from a doctor or pharmacist immediately if you're bitten, as you may need further treatment.

Further information

Sources

  • Infectious disease of potential risk for travellers. International travel and health. World Health Organization. 2007. www.who.int
  • Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, Benz EJ. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:367-376; 600-604
  • The Yellow Book. Prevention of malaria. National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). www.nathnac.org, accessed 11 March 2008
  • British National Formulary (BNF). BMJ Publishing Group, 2007. 54:343
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What special items should I take in my first aid kit if my young children travel with me?

Young children can become dehydrated more easily than adults and are particularly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) rays. They can also become travel sick quite easily. Your first aid kit should include medicines suitable for young children, high factor sunscreen and rehydration salts.

Explanation

Young children should have had all their routine immunisations before they travel. You should contact your GP to check your child has been properly immunised.

Certain medicines aren't suitable for young children, or there are alternative formulations of medicines for children, such as ibuprofen (eg Nurofen for children). Make sure that you include medicines that are suitable for your children.

It's a good idea to hang mosquito nets over where you're sleeping, to protect yourself and young children against being bitten by insects such as mosquitoes.

DEET (diethyltoluamide) is the most effective mosquito repellent, but it's important to be aware that DEET products are only suitable for adults and children over two months. DEET in lotions, sprays or roll-on formulations is safe and effective if applied regularly. These can be bought from most pharmacies. DEET products also include wrist and ankle bands. It's important to keep young children well covered-up - long sleeves and trousers worn after dusk also help to provide protection against biting insects.

There are various antisickness medicines that are available from your pharmacist to help prevent travel sickness. For children over 10, hyoscine (eg Scopoderm TTS) patches can be applied behind the ear five to six hours before you travel. Cinnarizine tablets (eg Stugeron) can be used in children over five if taken two hours before travelling.

Young children are also particularly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) rays, so it's vital that you help protect their skin by including a water-resistant sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Make sure you pack a hat and suitable clothing to protect their skin.

Young children can also become dehydrated more easily than adults, especially if they aren't drinking enough fluids or they have lost fluid due to diarrhoea. Antidiarrhoea tablets are usually only suitable for older children and adults, so it's important to take ready-mixed rehydration salts that can be added to drinking water.

If your child is taking any prescription-only medicines, you should make sure that you pack enough for your whole trip. Allow for a few days delay either side. It's useful to carry a letter from your doctor stating which medicines your child needs and what they are for, as this may be needed at customs.

Remember to take any patient information leaflets so that you can refer to them while you're away. If you're worried about your child or if he/she becomes ill while you're travelling, seek medical advice.

Further information

Sources

  • British National Formulary (BNF). BMJ Publishing Group, 2007. 54:216-222, 343, 532-533
  • The Yellow Book. Prevention of malaria. National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). www.nathnac.org, accessed 11 March 2008
  • Stay safe. Cancer Research UK. www.info.cancerresearchuk.org, accessed 10 March 2008
  • Health risks and precautions: general considerations. International travel and health. World Health Organization. 2007. www.who.int
  • Advice on first aid. Fit for travel. www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk, accessed 10 March 2008
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: June 2009

Travel first aid kit factsheet

 

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