This information is not meant to replace up to date advice from a travel health advisor who can take into account any medical conditions you have, and who can often modify the travel health advice usually given for a particular destination. It is recommended to seek advice well in advance of departure (minimum 6- 8 weeks) so as to allow enough time for possible immunisations to be completed and to become effective.
Medications
If you are already taking medication for an illness, be sure you have adequate supplies for the entire time you are away. Always carry medicines in your hand luggage. A letter from your doctor verifying your prescribed medications or if you need to inject medication can be helpful in the event of customs difficulties.
Some airlines insist on having a letter so it is best to get one in case.
Medical Kits
It is sensible to take your own medical kit. Commercially made kits containing first aid supplies and/or equipment for injections are available from travel clinics and some larger chemist stores. As some countries may not have guaranteed sterilisation standards, the carrying of such equipment containing sterile needles, syringes can overcome this. It is advised to pack syringes and needles in luggage to be checked in, not in hand luggage for airport security reasons.
Antihistamines
These can be used to minimise skin reactions often experienced with insect bites. Those that are classed as antihistamines which are also sedating should be avoided.
Hepatitis A and B
Although having hepatitis C does not increase the risk of becoming newly infected with hepatitis A (HAV), or hepatitis B (HBV), these infections can be much more severe for those with hepatitis C, and can significantly add to the liver problems caused bythe hepatitis C virus itself.
Pneumococcal Disease
Individuals with chronic liver disease are more susceptible to pneumococcal diseasepneumonia or meningitis caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae).
For all people with chronic liver disease vaccinations against HAV, HBV and also against pneumococcal disease are recommended as standard precautions.
Studies have shown that having chronic liver disease can reduce the effectiveness of HAV and HBV vaccinations, though after receiving the completed courses, most people do become protected. It is possible to do blood tests to check for the amount of antibody that vaccination has produced in the bloodstream. These tests would have to be agreed with your doctor as they are not routinely performed after vaccination. For those who have inadequate antibody levels after vaccination providing further booster vaccinations can be effective for creating the desired protective immunity.
