Getting sick can ruin a holiday, but being prepared will certainly help. We map out a coping strategy
Imagine saving up for a dream holiday only to be struck by a dire sickness bug during it?
Unfortunately, it happens, as recent reports highlighted, when an outbreak of norovirus ruined the trip of a lifetime for more than a quarter of passengers on a luxury cruise ship travelling from Southampton to the US.
The poor holiday-makers were hit by the severe vomiting and diarrhoea bug, and it was so bad that the ship had to dock in Virginia to allow officers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the situation.
Being trapped on a ship full of highly contagious sick people isn’t exactly what most of us would call a holiday, so what steps should you take if you fall ill on vacation?
PACKAGE HOLIDAYS
When you sign up to a package holiday, there are usually levels of protection included within the deal so you can jet off, safe in the knowledge that if anything goes wrong, you’ll be looked after and reimbursed.
What to do?
If you become sick or suffer an accident while using your resort’s facilities or while on resort property, report it to your holiday rep immediately.
They will be able to advise on your nearest pharmacy/doctor’s surgery/hospital and how those outlets operate.
If you can prove you feel ill or became injured because of negligence on the part of your hotel, you can claim compensation. Report it to your rep, your package holiday team’s head office and the hotel management.
Contact your travel insurance company immediately, so they can advise on exactly what illness/accidents you are covered for.
Visit a doctor and keep track of all receipts/doctor’s notes for future reference and as evidence.
It is wise to note down the names and addresses of anyone who can verify what happened to you, in case you end up making a personal injury claim when you get home.
INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
If you’re booking your holiday independently, you can’t rely on a rep for help if you fall ill, so make sure you’re fully prepared for any eventuality before jumping on a plane.
What to do?
Never travel without suitable, comprehensive travel insurance, which ideally would cover the cost of an air ambulance in a worst-case scenario.
Carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); they’re free and entitle you to state-funded medical care throughout most of Europe (though this is not a substitute for insurance).
Contact your travel insurance company immediately, so they can advise on exactly what illness/accidents you are covered for.
Speak to your hotel management – or the local tourist information office – for advice on your nearest pharmacy/doctor’s surgery/hospital and how they operate.
If your illness will make it impossible to travel home, speak to your airline about switching flights.
In both cases, it is possible to claim for ‘loss of enjoyment’ when you get home from holiday, so always keep a record of what happened and how it came about, in case you wish to engage the services of a solicitor once you’re better.
STAYING WELL ON YOUR TRAVELS
Whether it’s a bout of ‘holiday tum’, unwelcome attention from biting insects or simply a matter of feeling ill from the journey, a dream holiday can soon turn into a holiday from hell.
But, with a little forward planning (and often a large portion of common sense), there’s every reason why this year’s holiday can be a memorable one for all the right reasons.
1) As a general rule of thumb, the risk of falling ill abroad is usually greater in hotter countries partly because it is so much harder to preserve food. Don’t eat anything that looks undercooked or raw and peel any fruit you eat. If you can, avoid buffet food that may not have been kept at the right temperature.
2) Support your digestive system with a live bacteria supplement before and when you travel. This will help to establish the right environment within which important infection-fighting bacteria can flourish, giving you protection during your travels.
3) By far the most common cause of tummy trouble abroad and diarrhoea especially, is dirty or contaminated water. Only drink bottled or canned drinks and don’t assume the tap water in your hotel is safe to drink. Remember also not to use ice in your drinks.
4) If you do succumb to ‘holiday tum’, drink plenty of water to help prevent dehydration. Experts recommend between two and three litres a day, especially if you’re in a hot climate. A top tip is to replace lost fluid with an isotonic solution; one which contains the same electrolyte concentrations as normal body fluids.
5) For the treatment of gastrointestinal illnesses causing stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, heartburn and diarrhoea, try Silicea Gastro Intestinal Gel Direct (£13.59 for 15 sachets, www.healthy2u.co.uk). Available in handy travel-sized sachets, the gel binds with pathogens, gases and toxins, and is excreted naturally by the intestine.
6) Repel unwanted attention! If you know mosquitoes and biting insects are likely to be a problem in the country you’re travelling to, a good insect repellent on exposed skin should help. Garlic eaten on a regular basis can also have a repellent effect and should make you smell less appetising to hungry insects. Of course in some parts of the world, such as Africa and South America, you’ll need to take proper precautionary measures before you travel.
7) Dare to bare? Ah, sunshine. We worship faithfully at every given opportunity yet overexposure is both damaging and dangerous. Always wear a good SPF, avoid sitting in the sun when it’s at its strongest and prepare your skin before you travel.
8) A strong immune system for when you travel is also important. The stuffy confines of an airplane cabin are the perfect breeding ground for germs, especially if you’re cooped up for two to three hours at a time. Stop germs in their tracks with Hübner’s ImmunPRO Infection Blocker (£7.95 for 15 tablets, www.boots.com). It works by creating a physical barrier in the mouth and throat against germs and viruses and is ideal for when close contact with other people is unavoidable. Simply suck one tablet when you are at increased risk for two hours’ protection.
9) Not a good traveller? If travel sickness is a problem, sit in the middle of the plane or ship, where the least motion can be felt. Taking ginger before and during travel can also help.
10) Keep ’em clean! Germs on hands can be passed easily to other people by direct touch or indirectly by touching contaminated objects. It is therefore important to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after every visit to the toilet and prior to eating or preparing food. Experts recommend spending at least 15 seconds – about the time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday to You’ twice through – to wash hands properly.
Now where did you put that passport…?