Stay healthy while you travel
Keeping well on tour isn't difficult - for the most part it requires a little bit of common sense. Most of the problems you'll face are easily preventable, for example putting on sunscreen, drinking bottled or treated water, washing your hands properly before eating and avoiding insect bites will save you a great deal of hassle.
However, if you have other concerns like exposure to malaria or other tropical diseases, altitude sickness, sea sickness or other issues, it is best to visit your doctor. We recommend that you see your travel health centre in person at least eight weeks before you travel, as you may need a course of medications or more than one vaccination.
A travel health professional can give you specific advice according to your unique medical needs and tour itinerary. If you're travelling for a long period of time, it's also a good idea to get a check up at the dentist and sort out your glasses prescription if you think it's changing.
European Travellers
European Union Website
Has detailed health care information about travelling abroad and emergency treatment resources. Website is available in all European languages.
http://europa.eu/eu-life/healthcare/index_en.htm
European Health Insurance Card
Apply for a free EHIC which offers you access to reduced-cost medical treatment. This is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en
UK Travellers
National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)
Lots of in depth travel health advice including the latest health alerts from malaria to yellow fever. Very useful in conjunction with your itinerary and it can be a good idea to have a read before visiting your doctor.
http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm
NHS Fit for Travel
This is the Scottish version of the NHS and has lots of useful advice from deep vein thrombosis to how to deal with an animal bite.
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Foreign Office
Lots of travel tips and advice on various topics from safe sex to swine flu and how to avoid getting sick overseas.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/health/
European Health Insurance Card
Apply for a free EHIC which offers you access to reduced-cost medical treatment.
This is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Australia and New Zealand Travellers
Safe Travel New Zealand - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
This website provides lots of useful tips and links to sources of official health
advice for travellers from New Zealand.
http://safetravel.govt.nz/beforeugo/health.shtml
Smart Traveller - Australian Govt Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The more prepared you are, the fitter and healthier you will be on tour.
This site provides lots of good travel health tips for Australian travellers.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/travelwell.html
USA and Canada Travellers
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, USA
This site offers addresses for travel health clinics in the USA
as well as tips for how to prepare yourself to be healthy on your journey.
http://www.cdc.gov
Public Health Agency of Canada
Get some good tips about what to do if you get sick while travelling and what you should do on return to Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php (English)