Getting Hurt on Holiday: A Guide

Travelling is one of the most common goals added to bucket lists, but with the excitement come the worry of accidents and injuries during your time away from home. If you become ill or are injured during your holiday, whether this is on a plane, ship or in a foreign country, it can be tricky to find suitable medical care due to the unfamiliarity of the location or simply due to the language barrier. As a result, it is important for travellers to understand some basic information on what to do if you ever fall ill or are involved in an accident.

Accidents

Accidental injury or violence are more likely to affect travellers than infectious diseases. An accident abroad can include slipping and tripping in the hotel lobby due to water on the floor, or it may be due to food poisoning from the hotel restaurant. However, if this happens to you or a member of your party, you may be entitled to compensation, which is especially helpful if you’ve had to pay for medical care abroad. You can find out more from the-compensation-experts.co.uk.

Respiratory Infections

Infections such as flu can be common during your travels. Your immune system might still be getting used to the new environment and can be exposed to crowded areas that can easily turn nasty. You can prevent such infections by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water frequently.

Sun Protection

Although sun exposure can help our bodies absorb vitamin D, too much sun exposure can lead to skin diseases and skin cancers. Make sure you don’t stay out in the sun too long and wear sunscreen to protect your skin. Staying under the heat for long periods can also increase the risk of dehydration and sunstroke. Make sure you carry a bottle of water everywhere to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to cool off.

Exposure to animals

Exercise caution whenever you are near domestic animals, especially stray cats and dogs, during travels. By doing so, it reduces your chances of bites and scratches and prevents any cases of rabies infection, which is transmitted through a bite, lick or scratch. Seek immediate medical attention if such cases occur. It also applies to any wild animals, for example, if you are visiting the local zoo.

Get some sleep

Crossing time zones, walking long distances and carrying luggage to and from your destination can take its toll on anyone. Being constantly on the move is harsh for the body, so you need to make sure you get enough sleep whenever you can. Pace yourself in your travels and plan an itinerary rather than doing everything at once. You will enjoy exploring these places more compared to when you are rushing from one place to another. Taking frequent breaks can also prevent exhaustion and injuries from happening as a result of low concentration and sleep deprivation.

Travelling is fun and an essential part of learning. Being exposed to new cultures, new languages and new environments can help broaden your perspective and expose you to things you may never otherwise have considered. But don’t forget that your health and well-being comes first, and to make your adventures as stress-free as possible, ensure that you are prepared in case such incidents occur.