Getting Sick on Holiday - Be Prepared! by Travelogger

Aug|17|2006

Getting Sick on Holiday - Be Prepared!

Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Family, Health, Tips

Theres not much worse that getting sick on holiday - whats worse than having to miss out on a day at the beach or that lovely new museum and instead go trouping around to find a decent pharmacy or unfamiliar (hopefully English speaking) local clinic?

The alarming fact is that 1 in 2 travelers get sick on holiday, and over 30% regret not taking along a medical kit with them!

On a recent trip to Singapore, my 80-something father-in-law who was travelling with us woke up one morning to a hideous rash which kept him scratching (and sleepless) and all night. Miserable and sore, he did NOT pack a medical kit (despite his age- which is just plain ridiculous), so the concierge at the Four Seasons directed us to the nearest clinic where a very able (and UK educated- much to my father-in-law’s delight) dermatologist gave him some antihisthamine and creme which did the trick. Oh, and there was also a nasty case of the runs with no immodium to speak of - but thats what I mean.
As the parent of 2 young children and a husband with the propensity for Delhi-belly, I always leave home with it - a fully stocked medicine kit, that is. And when I arrive at a destination, I also like to check out the neighborhood Watsons, Boots, Pharmacie or Drugstore Barn for any local remedies I can’t get at home.

My husband thinks I’m OC when it comes to this sort of thing (he finds it strange that I tape all the bottles shut and am addicted to ziplocks), but better safe than sorry I always say.

In case you were interested, here’s my list of essentials. All should be for kids and adults. Consult your pedia for the correct dosage for the kids:

1. Paracetamol and Ibuprophen
2. Antihistamine pills, syrup and cream
3. Anti-diahorrea pills, hydrite pills
4. Sunblock and after-sun
5. Anti-mosquito spray and cream for bites

6. Antacids

7. Antibacterial cream, cleaning solution and bandages of all sizes

8. Cortisone cream

9. Vicks cream and inhaler (for nausea)

10. Cold medicine

11. Vitamin c and multivitamins, echinacea drops

12. Thermometer