Samaher Saif Al Yazal
The Ministry of Health confirmed that increasing the movement of travel to various parts of the world and reaching it in a record time, the huge increase in the number of passengers, the speed of travel and the multiplicity of activities during travel, contributed clearly to the spread of infectious diseases from one country to another even before the symptoms of the disease appear. She noted the importance of pre -planning for travel, taking all the necessary precautions and measures necessary during the trip and following the medical advice for the post -return stage is the best way to ensure a healthy and safe travel.
She indicated through the “health guide for travelers” that she published on its official website, that the traveler is in urgent need to know the health risks to him in the light of the party that is intended to travel and other risks, there are countries that are inhabited by uncommon diseases in the country where he resides, and the traveler has never been exposed to it, for example: malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever are not endemic, and not in force in the Kingdom of Bahrain, but they may be, but they may be Common in some other regions of the world that may be a destination for travelers.
The ministry explained that the activities and behaviors that the traveler may practice during his travel may be fraught with risks, such as eating some uncommon or contaminated foods as a result of their exposure to microbes during preparation or presentation or others, in addition to practicing some hobbies of danger, and others .. every traveler should be aware of the dangerous citizen and how to prevent them.
The “Health” stressed that health and safety during travel is an urgent necessity for any traveler, and this is what caused the Ministry of Health to provide health services to travelers in all health centers, which includes giving advice on health risks to different travel destinations as well as giving the necessary vaccinations and preventive medicines.
The Ministry advised to follow the following guidelines in the travel planning stage:- Taking medical advice at least 6 weeks before traveling, or as soon as possible to verify the potential health risks of the travel destination, take the recommended vaccines, and preventive drugs against malaria if the need and other preventive measures arise. Inform the doctor about any surgery that you have undergone recently, especially if you are planning a long trip, and women must also tell the doctor about pregnancy or hormonal medications such as birth control pills. Health for the traveler.- Ensure that the insurance is done to travel to avoid medical expenses that may be exorbitant if you get sick, God forbid, during your journey.- See the climate of the country to be traveling.
The things that the traveler may need while traveling based on the health risks of the travel destination: 1- To reduce sunburn and the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays: sunscreen, preferably 15 SPF or more. Solar glasses, hat, or scarf, a soothing cream for burns.
She stressed the need for a medical material fund, with the necessity of containing:- A measure of the temperature of the “thymometer” body temperature. Travel.- The basic first aid requirements «adhesive dressings, gauze, antiseptic, etc.– sterile and anti-bacterial hand wipes, or other antiseptics.
To remain healthy while traveling, the ministry recommended:- Knowing whether the tap water is suitable for drinking, otherwise it should drink boiling water or the bottled water only and avoid snow made from an unknown water source.- Avoid eating salads and fruits that are eaten without peeling, milk and unpasteurized dairy products. It is also recommended to avoid eating unconfined well.- It is advised to drink a lot of water and juices, especially in hot climates to avoid dehydration. The hands must be washed constantly with soap and water, or the use of a hand sterilization to prevent the transmission of infection.- Continue to take the preventive drug for malaria throughout the travel period as recommended by the doctor. The attending physician.- Be sure to clean and dry the feet, wear comfortable shoes and avoid walking barefoot. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, scarf or hat, especially while wandering outside the housing. It is also advised to use insects to reduce insects and mosquitoes.- Sleeping under the mosquitoes treated with insect repellent materials, if possible.- Avoid swimming in fresh water such as lakes and fast rivers in some places that may be a source of some diseases.- Not to deal with animals such as monkeys, cats and dogs that do not guarantee their health as well as away from the places where the education is Live poultry or keeping them, in order to avoid the transmission of diseases.- Avoid participating in injections or tattoos to prevent infection.- When you feel that you are recommended to consult a doctor.
She pointed out that car accidents are among the main causes of travelers injuries, and he stressed the travelers who drive cars abroad with:- Wearing a seat belt.- Putting children according to age in the back seat with the belts linking.- Commitment to driving laws.
The Ministry has also set up recommendations for the post-return return of the travel:- If you are a return from a settlement area in the malaria, then you must continue taking the preventive medicine for the period recommended by the doctor.- When a fever or symptoms similar to the influenza should be taken, you should take medical advice and see the information related to travel.
