Planning an international trip is exciting, but ensuring you stay healthy while travelling is just as important as booking your flights and accommodation. Whether heading to a tropical destination, a business trip, or a long-term holiday, preparing for potential health risks can save you from unnecessary illness and disruption.
Visiting a pharmacy before you travel is a smart step in protecting yourself against travel-related health concerns. From travel vaccinations and malaria prevention to essential medications and expert advice, Hodgson Pharmacy offers various services to help you stay safe abroad.
Why Visit a Pharmacy Before Travelling?
Many travellers overlook their health when preparing for a trip, but visiting a pharmacist before you travel can help prevent common travel-related health problems.
Key Benefits of a Pre-Travel Pharmacy Visit:
- Get Essential Travel Vaccinations – Protection against diseases specific to your destination.
- Access Malaria Prevention & Travel Medicines – Reduce the risk of infections while abroad.
- Receive Expert Travel Health Advice – Guidance on food safety, hydration, and disease prevention.
- Stock Up on Travel Essentials – First-aid kits, insect repellents, and motion sickness tablets.
Many of these services don’t require a GP appointment, making your pre-travel health check quick and convenient.
Travel Vaccinations: Protect Yourself Abroad
Different destinations come with different health risks. Many countries require mandatory or recommended vaccinations before entry.
Common Travel Vaccines Available at Hodgson Pharmacy:
- Hepatitis A & B – Protects against liver infections transmitted through contaminated food or water.
- Typhoid – Prevents typhoid fever, commonly spread in areas with poor sanitation.
- Yellow Fever – A requirement for entry into many African and South American countries.
- Cholera – Recommended for travellers heading to areas with limited access to clean drinking water.
- Rabies – Essential for those visiting areas where contact with wild animals is likely.
- Japanese Encephalitis – Recommended for extended stays in rural areas of Asia.
Why Get Vaccinated Early?
Some vaccines require multiple doses or take time to become effective. Visiting a pharmacy 6–8 weeks before travel is recommended to ensure you’re fully protected.
Malaria Prevention & Other Travel Medicines
Malaria Tablets
Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted through mosquito bites in tropical and subtropical regions. A pharmacist can provide anti-malarial tablets tailored to your destination and travel duration.
Traveller’s Diarrhoea & Food Poisoning Prevention
Eating unfamiliar foods and drinking local water can sometimes lead to stomach issues. Preventative medications such as anti-diarrhoea tablets and rehydration salts can help manage symptoms if they occur.
Motion Sickness Medications
For travellers who experience nausea while flying, cruising, or driving, motion sickness tablets are an effective way to stay comfortable during your journey.
Essential Travel Health Tips from Your Pharmacist
1. Stay Hydrated and Avoid Contaminated Water
- Drink bottled or purified water in regions where tap water is unsafe.
- Carry water purification tablets for remote areas.
2. Prevent Insect Bites
- Use insect repellents with DEET to avoid bites from mosquitoes and other insects.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing in high-risk areas.
3. Pack a Travel First-Aid Kit
A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you handle minor injuries and illnesses without visiting a local doctor. Include:
- Plasters, antiseptic wipes, and bandages.
- Pain relievers (paracetamol or ibuprofen).
- Anti-diarrhoea medication and rehydration salts.
- Antihistamines for allergies or insect bites.
4. Consider Altitude Sickness Prevention
If travelling to high-altitude regions, ask your pharmacist about medications to prevent altitude sickness.
5. Know the Local Healthcare System
Research medical facilities in your destination and carry emergency contact numbers in case of a health emergency.
Why Choose Hodgson Pharmacy for Travel Health?
Hodgson Pharmacy provides expert travel health services for Longfield, Dartford, and Gravesend.
Services Offered:
- Comprehensive Travel Vaccinations – Administered by trained professionals.
- Malaria Prevention Advice – Personalised recommendations based on your destination.
- Travel Health Consultations – Get expert advice on how to stay healthy abroad.
- Wide Range of Travel Essentials – Stock up on first-aid supplies, insect repellents, and more.
Whether you’re going on a short holiday or an extended adventure, our team is here to help you travel safely and confidently.
Final Thoughts: Travel Smart with Professional Health Advice
Visiting a pharmacy before your trip can make all the difference in staying healthy while abroad. From vaccinations and malaria prevention to expert travel advice, Hodgson Pharmacy is here to support your journey.
If you’re travelling from Longfield, Dartford, or Gravesend, visit Hodgson Pharmacy today for a full travel health consultation and ensure you’re prepared for a safe and worry-free trip.