Overseas Travel Information
Announcing International SOS to assist UC staff and students when travelling abroad:
The University engages the services of International SOS to assist students and staff travelling overseas. International SOS provides:
General and Essential Hints and Tips
- Vaccinations, anti-malarial drugs, and good health advice can make your trip overseas more pleasant and bring you back home in good health.
- Remember that Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV/AIDS occur in all countries in the world, so practice Safe Sex and don’t share needles.
- On the flight, make sure you drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and walk around the plane as much as possible to prevent DVTs. If you have any specific concerns about your own situation speak to your doctor.
- If you are taking medications with you, you will need a letter from your doctor outlining the medications which you are carrying to satisfy authorities in other countries.
- If you suffer from ear problems when flying, make sure you discuss this with your doctor before flying.
When to start the vaccination process
- 6 weeks before a straightforward trip overseas.
- 8 to 12 weeks before a prolonged trip overseas, or a voyage to developing countries or more exotic or remote parts of the world.
- Seeing the doctor an extra 2 weeks earlier can save you money. The University Health Service can do blood tests to see if you have pre-existing immunity, or if you have ever had the disease. This can save you a lot of money.
What to Take with You on Your Trip Away
- Hat and sunscreen (15+ broad spectrum)
- Insect Repellent containing DEET (eg Rid or Aerogard Tropical)
- Mosquito net - preferably impregnated with Permethrin
- Health Insurance - getting sick or injured overseas can be very expensive
- Any usual medications that you take and will continue take whilst away.
- Antimalarial tablets if they have been recommended for the areas that you will be traveling to.
Basic First Aid Kit
- Bandaids
- Crepe Bandage,
- Simple dressing such as bandaide etc of different sizes/shapes.
- Antiseptic: Iodine based (eg Betadine) unless you are allergic to it
- Panadol
- Contraceptives
- Sudafed - a minor cold or hayfever can cause problems when flying
- Antihistamine (eg Telfast) for hayfever or itching from insect bites
- Travel sickness tablets (see your pharmacist)
- Antidiarrhoeal medication to slow down diarrhoea (don't use it if you are very sick or passing blood; it may make things worse)
- Rehydration sachets (eg Gastrolyte); or make up your own from 4 teaspoons sugar & 1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 litre (4 cups) of boiled water
- Maxolon for vomiting
- Water purifying tablets
- Scissors
If you are going on a prolonged expedition, consider taking:
- Particular antibiotics for severe gastroenteritis
- General antibiotic
- Antifungal cream
- Eye / ear drops
Travel Advice on the Web
The Travel Doctor TMVC website provides vaccination advice, travel health advice, clinic details and current health alerts for overseas travel.
Australian Government DFAT site
This has the latest travel advisories, consular, and general advice.
This site covers a wide range of issues and has an A to Z index of travel destinations and travel questions.
This site has an interactive map displaying travel destinations around the world where malaria is a risk. It also displays malaria travel tips and information about the disease and prevention.
This is the official USA government infectious diseases centre which has both general and specific country information.
Disclaimer: The list is provided for the information of University of Canberra staff and students, The purpose of the list is to provide links to various external websites containing travel information, including government travel advisories, health and medical information
The list is intended to be a useful guide, not an exhaustive list of travel information. By accessing the list beyond this screen, you acknowledge that the University of Canberra is not responsible for the information contained in any of the listed external websites, and that the University of Canberra disclaims all liability for any injury, loss or damage suffered by any person using or acting on the information contained in any of the external websites.