HEALTH PREPAREDNESS

Travel insurance

The government cannot pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. An appropriate travel insurance policy should cover these costs, provided you have not broken the terms and conditions.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Your travel insurance policy should cover:

• all medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay
• your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you are making more than one trip in the year
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance
• personal liability cover (in case you are sued for causing injury or damaging property)
• lost and stolen possessions
• cancellation and curtailment
• any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (for example, water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports. See comprehensive water safety advice from Water Safety Ireland)

Please note that most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

Make sure to save the contact information for your insurance provider before you depart, including any emergency assistance details, and have this information to hand should you need it while abroad.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Irish residents are entitled to receive healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if ill or injured while on a temporary stay there. Ensure that you get or renew your EHIC (the new name for the E111) before you go, and remember, you will need one for every person travelling in your group.

Apply for your EHIC and find out more information.

Please note that the EHIC is not a substitute for proper travel insurance provided by a reputable insurer. It does not cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Also, some private hospitals may not accept the EHIC, so you should check with the hospital administrator beforehand.

Vaccinations

Check with a doctor what vaccinations you may need for your trip at least eight weeks before you travel. You can find out more information about vaccinations on the HSE’s website.

Evidence of vaccination (in the form of a certificate) can be a requirement for entry to some countries. To find out if this applies to your holiday destination, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice webpages.

Medication

Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays. Bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication, or in case you are asked to justify why you have certain medications at an entry point (airport, port, land border).

Bear in mind that not all over-the-counter medications available in Ireland are legal in other countries and do your research before you go. Check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the country you are planning to visit if you are unsure which medications you may be able to bring with you. You can consult the International Narcotics Control Board’s website to see what, if any, restrictions on medicines apply to your destination.

Mental health and travel

While travelling and/or living abroad can be very exciting and enjoyable, it can also put a strain on your mental health.

The situation can become particularly difficult if you are far from family and friends, in a culture that is quite different from that which you are used to, or in a region where you do not speak the local language, especially if unexpected issues arise.

The Department of Foreign Affairs provides comprehensive advice on the topic of mental health and travel. Please visit this webpage for more information, including details on what to do to protect yourself before you go, and while you’re abroad.

Measles

There is a substantial increase in measles at the present time. Citizens travelling to countries or regions experiencing outbreaks are advised to ensure their vaccination status is up to date before travel. For more information visit the Department of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice on measles.

Water-borne diseases

Water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery are common in some countries. Consult with a health professional before you travel to assess what precautions you may need to take, take local advice on good practice, and use bottled water, or boil water as necessary.

Mosquito-borne diseases

If travelling to a destination where mosquitoes are a problem, take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Before travelling, get medical advice on anti-malarial medication.

These simple tips can greatly reduce the risk of contracting a mosquito-borne disease:

• find out from local people when local mosquitoes are most likely to be biting
• avoid areas where mosquitoes are likely to congregate (that is, stagnant water)
• wear appropriate clothing: long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, boots and socks
• protect your room: Mosquito bites can be reduced by air conditioning, insect-proof screens
• protect your bed: Bed nets and cot nets should be used if rooms are not adequately screened or air conditioned
• use insect repellents: The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention advises the use of DEET as a mosquito repellent, including by pregnant women. Ensure to A) use it sparingly, and B) wash it off when away from risk of biting mosquitoes, as it is a chemical applied to the skin

HIV and AIDS

HIV is passed from one person to another through the direct exchange of bodily fluids. The best way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is to restrict bodily contact by practising safe sex and not sharing needles.

If you suspect that you have been exposed, you should seek immediate medical attention. It is sometimes possible to halt the development of HIV in the first 72 hours after exposure.

This is known as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP involves taking anti-HIV medicines for four weeks. PEP is not guaranteed to work and the medicines that are used cause some unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches.

More information about PEP and HIV/AIDs is available on the HSE website.

Medical, dental and cosmetic procedures abroad

Irish citizens travel abroad each year for the purpose of medical services, including surgical, dental and cosmetic procedures. Anyone considering travel for such purposes should be aware that all surgery contains an element of risk.

Risks vary depending on the country visited and the procedure performed. The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of citizens who have experienced complications in the course of medical treatment abroad recently, and a number have died.

Irish citizens considering medical treatment abroad are advised to carry out independent research regarding the credentials of any potential service provider and to ensure that the facility is accredited with the appropriate authorities in that country. People should also find out what legal actions may be taken in the event that something goes wrong. It is highly recommend to read the RCSI’s guidance for patients travelling abroad for surgery.

For further information, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice regarding medical, dental, and cosmetic procedures abroad.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, although most skin cancers are preventable by protecting skin from UV (ultraviolet) radiation. Skin cancer develops when cells are damaged and grow uncontrollably. Exposure to UV rays, from the sun or sunbeds, is the most common cause of skin cancer. UV radiation from the sun is measured using a UV index – this is highest in Ireland between April and September and peaks between 11am and 3pm even on cloudy days. You are at higher risk if you spend a lot of times outdoors, due to your work or leisure activities. It is particularly important to protect the vulnerable skin of babies and young children.

Some simple steps to reduce your risk:

• know the UV Index: When the UV index is 3 or above you need to protect your skin. In Ireland, this usually occurs from April to September, even when it is cloudy
• plan your day to limit time in the sun when UV is strongest, typically between the hours of 11am and 3pm

• keep your living space cool. This is especially important for infants, the elderly or those with chronic health conditions or those who can’t look after themselves
• keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped
• close curtains that receive morning or afternoon sun
• turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment - they generate heat

Extreme heat can cause exhaustion, heat stroke and aggravate pre-existing health conditions. The very young, the elderly, people with underlying medical conditions and the seriously ill are groups who are particularly at risk of health problems when temperatures increase.

Never leave children alone in hot vehicles. Stay inside during the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm) and limit time outside in the sun.

Keep Hydrated.

More information on heat and heat wave.

Irish Cancer Society