Travel Medications

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Never Leave Home Without Them
Your holidays can turn into nightmares if illness strikes in a foreign land. But relax as here are some pratical advice on how to avoid getting sick, and what to do if you do fall ill.

Going on a holiday soon? Stock up on medication for minor ailments. It could save you the anxiety of a trip to a clinic or hospital in another country. Many of these medicines are readily available at pharmacies or upon recommendation from pharmacists.


FEVER
Carry a thrmometer to check body temperature. For a temperature lower than 38.6 degree paracetamol is a safe and effective choice. Preparations for infants and children are also available in syrup or as chewable tablets. Dosages for children should be in accordance to the child's weight.

If fever hits 38.6 degrees and beyond, ibuprofen may be used. This may cause gastric irritation, and so must be taken after food. However, individuals with gastric ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problems, asthma, or who are allergic to aspirin should avoid ibuprofen.

If the temperature increases beyond 39.5 degree, or fails to subside after three days, consult a doctor at your destination, to rule out other underlying conditions. For children above 2 years and the elderly who have low immunity, consult a doctor if fever persists longer than two days. For children under two, consult a doctor if fever does not subside in a day.



RUNNY AND BLOCKED NOSE
You don't want to be drowsy on your holiday. Fortunately, non-drowsy cold/flu medications in tablet form are readily available for adults and children aged 12 and above. Children between ages of six to 12 may use the alternative in syrup form.


Individuals with high blood pressure, heart diseases or hyperthyroidism should take single entity medicines such as loratadine or cetrizine tablets which are non-drowsy. These individuals should consult the pharmacist on the use of such medications. For blocked nose, nasal sprays and drops containing xylometazoline or oxymetazoline may be considered. Such nasal preparations should not be use consecutively for more than five days.



COUGH
There are 2 types of cough, dry (without phlegm) and wet (with phlegm/chesty). A dry cough manifests itself as a itchy feeling at the back of the throat. Cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan can be considered for adults and children over two-years old.

If loose phlegm is present, an expectorant such as guaiphenesin would suffice. This loosens the phlegm so that it can be expelled. If the amount of phelgm is abundant, a phelgm dissolving medicine such as ambroxol tablets or carbocisteine capsules may be considered. All phlegm dissolving medicines should be taken after meals to reduce gastric irritation.

SORE THROAT
A mild sore throat may be alleviated with tablets containing anti-inflammatory enzyme such as serratiopeptidase. Stronger alternatives, available from the pharmacist may reduce inflammation as well as numb pain but are suitable for only children aged six and above. A sore throat which persists for more than three days despite self medication warrants a visit to a doctor as antibiotics may be required.


MOTION SICKNESS
Giddiness and nausea are symptoms of motion sickness which can be overcome by medication such as dimenhydrinate. For children aged 12 and above, one to two tablets should be taken half an hour before travelling. Each dose is effective for approximately six to eight hours, and can be repeated when travelling over a prolonged period. Dimenhydrate syrup is also available for children aged two years and above.

RASHES & ITCH
Over-the-counter anti-itch creams can reduce itch due to insect bites and mild allergies. For intense itch, approach a pharmacist for a cream containing hydrocortisone (one per cent). This is a mild steriod cream which should only be continuously for a maximum of one week.