Traveller’s Diarrhoea Tap water is safe to drink in Australia, but always check locally. All other water should be boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected (with iodine tablets)to prevent travellers diarrhoea and giardia.If you do develop diarrhoea, drink plenty of fluids - preferably an oral re hydration solution containing salt and sugar. If diarrhoea is bloody, persists for more than 72 hours or is accompanied by fever, shaking chills or severe abdominal pain seek medical attention.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Blood clots may form in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) during flights, due to prolonged immobility. Symptoms are: swelling or pain of the foot, ankle or calf, If a blood clot travels to the lungs, it may cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. Prevention of the development of deep vein thrombosis involves movement. So walk about the cabin, whilst seated, circle your ankles, flex and point your feet/toes, drink plenty of fluids but avoid alcohol and tobacco.
Jet Lag Jet lag is common when crossing more than five time zones, resulting in insomnia, fatigue, malaise or nausea. To try to avoid jet lag drink plenty of fluids (non alcoholic) and eat light meals.
Health Risks: Australia Australia is a healthy country in which to travel, in part due its isolation but also due to high quarantine standards. Tropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever are unknown as are in-sanitation diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Australia has a very high standard of hygiene and safe food and drinking water.
Heat Exhaustion The sun can also cause heat exhaustion and sunstroke , so as well as keeping well covered up, stay in the shade if you can. Drink plenty of liquids: on hot days when walking, experts advise drinking a litre of water an hour - which is a lot to carry. Remember that a cold beer will actually dehydrate you.
Heatstroke is a severe form of heat illness that occurs after fluid depletion or extreme exertion in high heat.
Sunburn Australia’s biggest health problem for fair-skinned visitors is also one of its chief attractions: sunshine . A sunny day in London, Toronto, or even Miami, is not the same as a cloudless day in Cairns, and the intensity of the Australian sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays is far greater.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. UV exposure is greatest between 10am and 4pm so avoid skin exposure during these times. Always use 30+ sunscreen, apply 30 minutes before going into the sun and repeat regularly to minimise damage. Sunscreen should not be used on babies less than six months old: instead, keep them out of direct sunlight. Pay attention to any moles on your body: if you notice any changes, see a doctor.
Food & drink Standards of hygiene in food preparation are very high. Milk is pasteurised and meat and vegetables are considered safe to eat.
