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Medication Management
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- Ensure the traveller has sufficient supply of medications for the expected trip plus any delays.
- Discuss medication management whilst travelling - original packaging, time zone changes, appropriate storage.
- Ensure that the traveller has an official letter listing all prescribed medications, and/or a medication management app listing their medications.
- Discuss issues around travelling with medications that are restricted in destinations in the traveller’s itinerary.
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| Food and water borne illnesses |
- Discuss strategies to minimise food and water borne illness.
- Discuss medications which could be used to self-manage diarrhoeal illness.
- Discuss strategies to treat water for drinking, if indicated.
- Discuss vaccines that can be used to prevent food and water borne illness – Hepatitis A, Typhoid, cholera.
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| Respiratory illnesses |
- Discuss hand and respiratory hygiene.
- Consider those at higher risk of severe outcomes and preventative strategies.
- Consider evidence-based supply of non-prescription medications.
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| Vector-borne Diseases |
- Educate travellers of risk of vector-borne diseases based on travel itinerary, including high risk time periods and activities.
- Inform travellers that avoiding mosquito (or other relevant insect) bites is essential.
- Advise travellers on insect-bite avoidance and prevention strategies including appropriate repellents, clothing, insecticide treatments for clothing and mosquito nets.
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| Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary embolism (PE) |
- Assess risk of DVT.
- Give standard advice to all travellers.
- Discuss appropriate use of stockings, if indicated.
- Refer possible high-risk travellers to GP.
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| Environmental hazards – extreme temperatures |
Ensure the person is properly equipped for the anticipated environmental conditions, including:
- cold and wet weather clothing
- hat, sunglasses, protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and sunscreen
- first aid kit.
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| Environmental Hazards – altitude |
- Discuss risk and how to minimise based on itinerary.
- Refer for appropriate treatments for altitude sickness.
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| Freshwater and Soil Infections |
- For high-risk itineraries, advise of the risk of contracting infections through skin exposed to contaminated soil or freshwater.
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| Sexual health and blood-borne pathogens |
Advise travellers to:
- practise safe sex when abroad with new partners
- consider taking own condoms
- avoid skin penetrating procedures like tattoos, acupuncture, or manicures.
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| Rabies |
- Assess risk of rabies exposure including place, remoteness, personal factors (age or interaction with animals).
- Consider need for pre or post exposure prophylaxis.
- Advise avoidance of all contact with animals, including those in tourist sites and national parks, to reduce the potential for bites and scratches that can transmit rabies.
- If bitten or scratched by an animal, advise the traveller to wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
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| Jet lag |
- Commonly affects travellers crossing more than 5 time zones, particularly in an easterly direction.
- Advise person to avoid coffee and alcohol, drink plenty of water.
- Particularly for business travellers, be well rested in the days before travel.
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| Motion sickness |
- If prone to motion sickness, advise the person to avoid activities requiring close concentration such as reading.
- Don't eat large meals prior to or during the journey.
- Medications can be used in children and adults if appropriate.
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| Over-the-counter medications and first aid items |
Individuals may want to consider carrying some over the counter medications and first aid items. This will depend on factors including general health, travel itinerary, and access to items at destination.
Consider appropriate items, including:
- alcohol-based hand rub
- analgesics/antipyretics
- anti-diarrhoeal medication
- antifungal cream
- antiseptic liquid, cream or ointment
- condoms
- decongestant or saline nasal spray
- dressings and bandages
- ear plugs for use in-flight
- insect repellent
- mild corticosteroid cream
- motion sickness medication
- rehydration products
- sunscreen
- sports tape
- thermometer
- water purification tablets.
Remind the person that frequently used medicines available in the supermarket or in pharmacies in Australia may not be as readily available overseas.
Medications with poor evidence of effect should not be provided.
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