All posts in Travel health

Travel Insurance question on medical conditions

by Darren Cronian on April 16, 2011 in Travel health with 2 Comments

Every day I receive a bunch of emails from readers asking travel consumer questions, so I thought I would mention a few of them on the blog along with my reply. At the moment I am receiving a lot of questions on travel insurance, and I am not surprised, it can be confusing for holidaymakers.

Travel Insurance question on medical conditions

Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions

Here’s a question from one Travel Rants reader

I took out travel insurance about 6 months ago and one of the questions was have I ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure. At that time I had not but within the last month my doctor informs me I do have high blood pressure. I am not taking any medication for it. Do you think I should inform the travel insurance company since my holiday is in June 2011?

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Swine flu warning for summer holidaymakers

by Darren Cronian on July 19, 2009 in Travel health with 3 Comments

Sat watching the news and the H1N1 swine flu virus seems to be taking up most of the airtime and with the school holidays now here, millions will be heading off on their holiday. So the Department of Health are advising people with symptoms of the virus to delay their holidays until they have gone.

Swine flu warning for summer holidaymakers

Department of Health advice

Further travel advice includes; expect to receive strict screening procedures, take paracetamols with you and avoid public places if you fall ill. Holidaymakers travelling to Europe should carry a European Health Insurance Card and make sure that adequate travel insurance is purchased.

Check travel insurance policies

The piece of advice that I was surprised at was, if you catch swine flu while abroad, then holidaymakers should not travel home until recovered. So my advice would be to check your travel insurance to make sure you are covered, you should be, but, best to check in my opinion.

Concerns on treatment of holidaymakers

My concern is about how holidaymakers are going to be treated, especially if you sneeze or show signs of any of the symptoms. You might have read my airline passenger swine flu experiences post earlier this month and it was terrible some of the experiences people have already gone through.

Media panic but travel safe

I know some people think that the media has blown up the H1N1 swine flu virus out of proportion and to some degree I agree, but, when it comes to your health, especially when in another country, I think it’s best to take all precautions necessary to protect yourself or your family.

Tips for staying fit while you’re travelling

by Amanda Kendle on April 3, 2008 in Travel advice, Travel health with 8 Comments

When you travel, it’s easy to get out of healthy routines that you usually manage to follow at home. Don’t get me wrong, you should enjoy yourself on holiday, but there are a few things you can do to try and minimise the damage to your waistline or your general fitness.

Tips for staying fit while you’re travelling

Don’t make holidays an excuse to eat junk
When you’re in a foreign country it’s easy to walk into the nearest fast food franchise just because you know what you’ll find and how to order it. Been there, done that. But there are two reasons not to – first, because it’s not that healthy, and second, it’s much more exciting to check out the local cuisine.

Get some exercise while seeing the sights
If you’re a runner, packing your jogging shoes and get up early a few mornings of your trip. Head out into the dawn on a job and you’ll see the city waking up or the animals strolling through the countryside. You’ll keep fit and see a new side of your destination.

Alternatively, skip a bus or train during the day and walk to your next sightseeing destination instead. Not only will it be good for you, at a walking pace you’re also more likely to discover some special restaurant, an interesting souvenir shop or a beautiful church or park you would have missed seeing from the underground.

For swimmers, pack your bathing costume not only for the hotel pool but for any interesting spa or hot spring that might show up.

Explore the markets for fresh fruit and veg
Down in southern Europe you’re likely to get a big variety of fresh fruit that somehow tastes better when you’re buying it in the country of origin. Or check out the local favourite vegetables in season.

Stay safe in the Summer Sun

by Darren Cronian on July 31, 2007 in Travel health with 13 Comments

I’m no weather reporter, but if the last two days are anything to go by, we could be in for a hot August, which will have us all reaching for the barbeques and planning our weekends enjoying the scorching summer sun. Whether this is a fun day out with the family, relaxing reading a book in the garden, or enjoying a couple of well earned drinks at the local pub, it’s important to be sensible.

Stay safe in the Summer Sun

Today, I received an email from Cancer Research UK who has recently launched their SunSmart campaign to raise awareness of skin cancer and provide guidance.

- Spend time in the shade between 11 and 3
- Make sure you never burn
- Aim to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
- Remember to take extra care with children
- Then use factor 15+ sunscreen

According to Macmillan Cancer research, skin cancer is the UK’s most common cancer in both men and women with more than 73,000 cases each year. The incidence of malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, continues to increase with 8,100 new cases and 1,800 deaths each year.

Many cases could be prevented by taking precautions against the sun’s ultra-violet rays and further information can be found at the official SunSmart website.

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