Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Good resources are the Lonely Planet publication
Travel with Children,
and for those spending longer away Jane
Wilson-Howarth's book
Your Child's Health Abroad
is excellent.
Women's Health
Pregnant women should receive specialised advice before travelling. The ideal time to travel is in the second trimester,
when pregnancy-related risks are low. Avoid rural areas with poor transport and medical facilities. Ensure travel insur-
ance covers all pregnancy-related possibilities, including premature labour.
Malaria is a high-risk disease in pregnancy. Pregnant women should
not
travel to areas with Chloroquine-resistant
malaria. None of the more effective antimalarial drugs is completely safe in pregnancy.
Traveller's diarrhoea can quickly lead to dehydration and result in inadequate blood flow to the placenta. Azithromy-
cin is considered one of the safest anti-diarrhoea drugs in pregnancy.
In Thailand's urban areas, supplies of sanitary products are readily available; stock up before travelling to rural areas.
Bring adequate supplies of your personal birth-control option. Heat, humidity and antibiotics can all contribute to
thrush, which can be treated with antifungal creams and Clotrimazole. A practical alternative is one tablet of fluconazole
(Diflucan). Urinary-tract infections can be precipitated by dehydration or long bus journeys without toilet stops; bring
suitable antibiotics for treatment.