Typically, the process of keeping yourself healthy whilst on remote travel is relatively straightforward. Take a trip to a travel pharmacy, consult your GP, make sure you have any medication you need and book any necessary vaccines.
Aside from this, a visit to the UK government’s travel advice pages or TravelHealthPro can help you make last-minute preparations, but for the most part, keeping safe is about following common sense advice when it comes to hygiene and overall health management.
Where that can change, however, is if you are planning to go on a backpacking journey or travelling to a relatively remote destination, one where there might be no readily available medical facilities.
Whilst there are books about travelling to, living long term in and providing treatment to people without consistent medical supplies, such as Where There Is No Doctor, here are some top preparation tips to keep yourself safe and healthy whilst abroad in places where medical care is not guaranteed.
Be Certain You Are Fit To Travel
A lot of remote locations are such because they are host to a range of somewhat extreme environments, whether that is due to high altitude and the risk of altitude sickness, extreme heat, extreme cold or a lack of water.
Similarly, if you are travelling on the type of holiday where you are expecting to undertake a lot more physical activity than you would ordinarily do, it is essential to be prepared.
When purchasing travel insurance, you may need to be certified as fit to travel and undertake any activities you plan to carry out, so ensure you are covered, as the types of medical evacuation available in remote locations are likely to be rarer and significantly more expensive.
Beyond your physical health, this includes making sure that you are mentally ready to travel on a tough, long-distance journey where many of the forms of contact we often take for granted will not be available.
Seek Specialist Guidance If You Are Travelling For
Humanitarian Reasons
The reason for your journey can affect your exposure to certain dangers, but if you are travelling to provide humanitarian support, you must travel with an approved organisation and seek specialist advice from them.
The big reason for this is that you will be exposed to a wider range of health concerns, may need additional specialist vaccinations and could be at risk of exposure to either infected members of a local population, the aftermath of a natural disaster, or working close to military conflicts.
Helping to treat others and save lives necessarily requires you to protect yours as well, and the best way to do that is to be aware of the additional dangers of certain regions and to avoid needlessly risking your health.
Visit Your Dentist/Optician Ahead Of Time
Make sure that you have a dental check-up ahead of time, as well as a visit to your optician if you wear glasses, as you will be far less likely to get specialist help for either. If there is no doctor or if medical facilities are limited, there is even less chance for anything other than rudimentary dental care.
Similarly, it may be worth switching from contact lenses to multiple pairs of glasses as appropriate.
Be Aware Of Your Itinerary And Expected Conditions
Most journeys to remote locations will be part of an expeditionary team or a group of people, which may include a doctor, guides and other support. They may be able to help with some needs, but even a doctor attending may not necessarily have a large supply or range of medicine available, so plan for what you need.
Check whether drinking water will be available, and make sure to take some kind of functional water purification system that is functioning and that you can tolerate the taste of the water.
If you are travelling with a group, there will be some kind of itinerary and means to contact someone. Plan a system to ensure that help can be arranged if you fall out of contact. This is especially important if you plan to travel alone, as it can take a very long time for help to reach you if you fall into difficulties.
Whilst an adventure holiday or trip to a remote location is often breathtaking and wonderful, it is not a typical holiday, and not being cautious and cognisant of that fact can lead to potentially dangerous consequences.
Pack For Expected Hazards
Besides a travel first aid kit, make sure you are aware of any expected dangers and pack accordingly.
If malaria is endemic in the region you intend to travel in, pack antimalarial tablets, and discuss with your doctor or a travel health clinic about whether you may need additional medicines for journeys that involve, for example, trekking in high altitudes.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are travelling to a remote destination, it is advisable to carry a well-stocked travel health kit. This may include prescription medicines, pain relief, antihistamines, antidiarrhoeal medication, oral rehydration salts, insect repellent, sunscreen, first aid supplies, and any destination-specific medicines recommended by your travel health pharmacist.
Possibly. Travellers visiting remote regions may be at increased risk of diseases such as Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, or Yellow Fever depending on the destination. A travel health consultation can identify which vaccinations are appropriate for your itinerary.
Preparation is essential. Before travelling, ensure you have adequate travel insurance, understand how to contact emergency assistance services, carry sufficient medication, and know the location of the nearest healthcare facilities. If symptoms are severe, seek medical help as soon as possible and follow your insurer’s emergency guidance.