International SOS gives advice for travellers

"We receive and respond to thousands of calls each day and we see that certain issues are more prevalent, depending on the season," comments Katherine Sinclaire, deputy medical director of Assistance at International SOS SA. "In the summer months, many people take trips away from home, often to unfamiliar destinations, where they tend to spend more time outdoors. During this busy season, extra vigilance and advance planning can go a long way toward avoiding common summer travel pitfalls."

Act quickly

While each destination has its own set of unique challenges, the tips are applicable to most international travel locations. In some locations, such as remote areas, it can take hours or days to locate and travel to an appropriate medical treatment centre. When you are in unfamiliar territory, you can't afford to wait and see if a problem worsens. Travellers should act quickly at the first sign of a health issue and seek help through a travel assistance provider or local resource as soon as possible.

Each summer we see an increase in water-related accidents and illnesses. When swimming, remember that the water does not need to be very deep to cause trouble. Swift currents, rocks, tree branches and other submerged objects can cause serious bodily harm. Cold water can also be extremely dangerous, causing hypothermia even in hot weather. When combined with alcohol consumption and an unfamiliar environment, the dangers mount significantly. When it comes to consuming liquids, from tap water to ice cubes, be sure to familiarise yourself with the country's water safety recommendations to avoid illness, and when in doubt, stick to sealed bottled water.

Medication for bites and scratches

Bites and scratches from animals and insects - including dogs, cats, monkeys, bats and mosquitoes - can cause major issues for travellers, so make sure you have had the necessary medications or vaccinations to protect you before you travel. For travellers with severe allergies, be sure to carry a fresh epinephrine injection provided by your doctor for immediate response to a foreign bite.

When travelling, carry a copy of the prescription written by your doctor and keep all medications in their original containers with labels intact. Note that some medications must be kept within a certain temperature range. Avoid leaving these prescriptions in a hot luggage compartment or car trunk. Bring at least a week's worth of extra doses of any medication you take regularly, to avoid running out if you are sidelined by an extended travel delay.

Protection against sunburn

One of the quickest and most damaging injuries affecting travellers is sunburn, particularly in locations close to the equator where the sun is strongest. Exposed and unprotected skin can burn in as little as 15 minutes, and those burns can become quite severe. An SPF of 45+ is recommended, as is limiting time spent in direct sunlight, particularly during peak hours between 10am and 3pm.

Many countries are facing rising levels of economic pressure and as a result, there have been some reports of increasing instances of opportunistic street crime targeting foreign travellers. Travellers should be particularly aware of low-level scams at airports or railway stations, attempted over-charging by taxis, pickpockets and attempted theft or manipulation of credit card details.