EHIC and Health advice for travellers This section tells you how to get medical treatment abroad, including information on the European Health Insurance card, or EHIC - the replacement for the E111.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk THE BEST SOURCE OF HEALTH INFORMATION IS TO SPEAK TO YOUR OWN GP. 

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has useful information for travelers.

A happy holiday is a well-planned holiday. So, you'll want to be fully prepared. Even if you're going on a package holiday, you'll need to take a few simple precautions. We look at everything from vaccinations to insurance and some health tips. For the more adventurous holiday-maker we have a few pearls of wisdom too. Planning traveling to your favorite resort really can be a great part of your holiday - if it's well planned. Check out our stress-free travel ideas and this could be your best trip yet!

The more you plan a holiday the better the guarantee you'll have a terrific time. So pick your destination and get organised. Start with a quick trip to Boots where you'll find everything you need to help you have a happy and healthy holiday.

Exotic Holidays - One of the tricks of traveling to far-off climes and enjoying the experience is to ensure you are not taking unnecessary health risks. This means planning well in advance, becoming familiar with any of the country's health risks, and taking adequate precautions against illness and disease. It means checking out on vaccinations, on hospital facilities, on crime rates. It means being prepared.

First and foremost is the need to find out which vaccinations are needed since the timing can be vital - ask your pharmacist or GP for information. Boots pharmacists can help with up-to-date information for those traveling to a malarial area, while Boots healthcare assistants will give general holiday healthcare advice to those who require it.

Sporting Holidays - Did you know half of all adults in the UK who take a holiday go abroad and an increasing number of these holidays involve walking and biking tours?

But whether climbing a mountain, wind-surfing, ski-ing or learning how to sub-aqua dive, the key to an enjoyable and successful holiday lies in the preparation. Perhaps more than any other, this kind of holiday needs careful planning to ensure that the unfamiliar activity results in more fun than aggro. Along with the sporting equipment should be packed a range of items designed to keep even the most intrepid holidaymaker in good condition. After all, a little thought could save considerable disappointment. Or worse!

Life in the great outdoors is often accompanied by winged which bite. Help is at hand, however, from the Repel Plus range of insect repellent: Pump Spray, Aerosol Spray, Roll-On, and Gel.

First place in 'holiday niggles' for activity holidaymakers must go to aches, strains and sprains. Here, Boots Cold-Hot Compress can be a boon, bringing welcome relief. Boots Pain Relief Balm and Boots Pain Relief Spray provide an instant source of comfort after a hard day on the muscles. For those who are aware of a weakness in wrist or knee, Boots Wrist Supports and Boots Knee Supports can make all the difference to a sporting holiday.

Water sports enthusiasts should also consider taking earplugs like Aquafit Earplugs for Adults to help prevent the nasty earaches that can develop when splashing about in the sea or pool (though scuba divers mustn't use them).

The risk of sunstroke is high with sporting and activity holidays - but again, prevention is better than cure. Lips are often forgotten when applying suncreams but products like Chapstick Sunblock 15 can help prevent considerable discomfort caused by too much sun. Bright sunlight is also thought to trigger the cold sore virus which, it is estimated, half of the UK adult population carry. In that case, packing a preparation like Zovirax Cream (contains aciclovir) or Zovirax Pump (contains aciclovir) could help combat an unexpected source of misery.

Travelling Holidays - A desire to escape from the general hubbub of daily life and touring with the car and booking into hotel or guest house on impulse can be really liberating.

The drawbacks of roving holidays such as these are mainly centred on the isolation factor. If illness or injury does strike, chances are you'll be miles away from a pharmacy or surgery so it's wise to carry essential healthcare equipment with you. Boots Travel First Aid Kit, containing all the necessary items to deal with minor scrapes and ailments, is ideal.
Apart from first aid items, it's a good idea to take headache tablets, remedies for stomach upsets and - especially when camping - insect repellents.

It's also important when touring to be aware of personal security. Boots Go Travel Range of products, including Money Minder and Cashguard help keep your money secure and your mind at rest when going off the beaten track. The range also includes a Flashlight for moments of sudden darkness and the Aqua Cool 1 Litre Bag, portable water container.

Being on the move can sometimes induce travel sickness. Boots Travel Calm (contains hyoscine hydrobromide), or Sea-Legs (contains meclozine hydrochloride) can help. To provide relief it's best to take a remedy before hitting the road. Passengers on long journeys might also find the inflatable Boots Travel Pillow a comfort. Whatever medication you take, always read the label.

Get Yourself Covered Once you've made all your travel arrangements, it's time to organise your holiday insurance. For short trips, it can be tempting not to bother but it's never a good idea to travel anywhere without comprehensive cover. It's important to find a policy tailored to your needs so it pays to take the time to shop around. For peace of mind, ensure your policy covers all of the following points:
· Cover for pregnancy and any other medical conditions.
· Return flight with a known, reputable agency in case of accident or illness.
· A 24-hour helpline for any medical emergencies.
· Adequate compensation if you have to cancel your trip
· Unlimited cover - this is especially important in the USA.

Don't be caught out without your suncream or a good quality hair conditioner this holiday. We all know how forgetting even the smallest thing like mosquito repellent can make your holiday a misery. Thankfully, we've put together this comprehensive list of holiday essentials so you'll always be prepared. Just print it out, take it with you around Boots, and tick it off as you shop!
Healthcare
 Boots Malaria enquiry Form (for relevant countries)
 Anti-malaria tablets, Pain killers, Anti diarrhoeal treatment, Rehydration treatments
 Indigestion remedies, Condoms/Contraceptive pills, Insect repellents & bite relief cream
 Mosquito net, Antihistamine tablets, Cystitis powders & thrush cream, Hydrocortisone and antihistamine cream, First aid kit and products, Cold sore cream, Calamine lotion
 Sleep remedies, Water purifying tablets, Vitamin supplements, Eye drops: 
Soothing or Hayfever, Contact lens solutions, 
Suncare, 
Sun protection creams and lotions to last the whole holiday High and lower factors, Children's
 Lipbalms with sunscreens, Aftersun lotions, 
Haircare, Moisturising shampoo, Hair sunscreens
 Intensive conditioner, Hair styling products, Anti-chlorine shampoo, Hair accessories
Toiletries/Make-up, Toiletry bag cosmetics bag, Toothpaste, Toothbrush and toothbrush guard
 Moisturising shower gel, Facial cleansers and moisturisers, Nail file/emery boards
 Scissors, Tweezers, Razor & blades, Body lotion, Body scrub, Deodorant / body spray
 Tinted moisturisers, Waterproof mascara, Beach/Pool, Swimwear, Swimming cap,
 Sarong, Sunglasses, Sunglasses case, Beach hat, Goggles, Cool bag
Photography, Camera, Films, Batteries, Single use cameras
Travel, Travel sickness pills/ travel bands, Travel wallet/money belt, Spare passport photos
 Travel adapter, Travel wash, Travel pillow,

The Right Vaccinations
Generally, it's possible to travel to most countries in the world these days without compulsory vaccinations. But don't think it's a good idea to skip them - they are still as crucial as ever for a truly safe trip. Many UK residents have been vaccinated during childhood for many diseases. If you are going to an infected area it is still important to get authoritative advice, to ensure your cover is complete and up to date.

As soon as you have decided where you are going, find out how far in advance you need to have the vaccinations. Some of them will have to be spread over several weeks so tackle things quickly - especially if you're fond of booking last minute trips. If you have any concerns, talk to your Boots pharmacist about 6-8 weeks before you depart. But remember you will need at least 3 months to organise medication for malarial protection.

Remember too, that even if you're holidaying at home, it's important that the family's tetanus jabs are up to date. Wherever you go, do make sure you get all of the right vaccinations.

Malaria
Each year in the UK around 2,000 cases of malaria are reported, some prove fatal. The vast majority of these cases could easily have been avoided by following a few simple precautions to prevent mosquito bites and taking a course of anti-malarial tablets. If you intend to travel to a country where malaria prevention is necessary, we'll help you to plan a safer trip.

What is Malaria ?
Malaria is a tropical disease passed on to humans by mosquitoes. Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium which lives and breeds in the stomach of the mosquito. When the mosquito bites a human the parasite is passed into the bloodstream and quickly makes its way to the liver. Once in the liver it multiplies.

Symptoms
Malaria produces symptoms similar to flu, only much more severe. High fever and profuse sweating are common, alternating with equally agonising episodes of shivering and chills. There may also be general aching, dizziness and delirium. Malaria can lie dormant for months and recur even after initial treatment. If malaria is suspected, see a doctor within 24 hours, even if it is some time since your holiday.

Who's at Risk?
Anyone who is planning to travel to, or holiday in, a country where malaria is prevalent.
Your chances of being bitten by an infected mosquito may also depend on the type of accommodation you stay in. Someone on a camping holiday and sleeping in a tent, for example, is more at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes than a guest staying in an air conditioned luxury hotel.

By far the most effective protection is to avoid being bitten, however, since even the most stringent measures can't guarantee that you won't be bitten, the additional protection of anti-malarial tablets is needed.
Some people who have lived or worked in a malaria infected area may believe that they have developed a natural immunity. This is a dangerous assumption. While it is possible to develop a partial immunity after many years of repeated infections, this must never be relied upon as an effective means of malaria protection.

Avoid Being Bitten
· Spraying areas of exposed skin (especially the arms and legs) with an insect repellent is one of the simplest deterrents. Boots Repel Plus range is particularly effective against mosquitoes.
 WARNING A product containing DEET, a powerful insect repellent, may not be suitable for young children.
Use a specially formulated product for children such as Boots Repel Plus for Children, available as a spray or lotion.
The most active time for mosquitoes is at dusk or during the evening; long sleeved clothing and trousers or a long skirt will reduce the chance of being bitten.
Dark colours tend to attract mosquitoes as do strong perfumes and after-shaves.
Whenever possible sleep in a room that has a net over your bed.
Check the net for tears or rips, and make sure it is well tucked in under the mattress while you are sleeping. The Lifesystems Mosquito Net should enable you to sleep in peace. It comes in two sizes: Micro and Duo.
Boots Sting Relief Cream, small enough to slip into a pocket, is ideal for on-the-spot relief if you are bitten.
Your Boots pharmacist can advise you on increasing the effectiveness of your protective measures.

Anti-Malarial tablets are not a guarantee that you will not get malaria, nor do they prevent you from getting bitten. By taking Anti-Malarial tablets and taking steps to prevent being bitten you can minimise the risks.

Jet Lag
Is everyone affected by jetlag?
Jet lag can be a real problem for long-haul holidaymakers. Although, it is true that some lucky travellers are hardly affected at all, most of us do have to make some kind of readjustment after a really long flight. In fact, you can start to combat jet lag while you're still on the plane.
I've heard I should drink lots of water and avoid alcohol during the flight to help combat jet lag, but what about after I land?
Carry on drinking lots of water and continue to avoid alcohol. Eat when the locals do - but lightly, go to bed when they do and get a good night's rest. Next day, resist the temptation to launch yourself and your family into a frenzy of holiday activity.

Are there any tips for helping children with jet lag?
Encourage the kids to play quietly, maybe do some gentle sightseeing or pottering around and basically take it easy. Make the effort to stick with your new times and magically you'll soon get into the swing of things.

Is jet lag worse coming or going?
Ironically, jet lag always seems worse when you travel back home, so don't try to fight it. Instead leave a couple of days free to unwind before you rush back to work.

Skin & Sun
Do I only need sun products on holidays abroad?
No. More people now get sunburnt in the UK than abroad.