The tickets are booked and the anticipation builds. However, to really enjoy your holiday there is a very important matter that needs addressing – your health. With more exotic locations becoming the norm, it is important to take precautions. Even some places on mainland Europe have outbreaks. So with that in mind, here are some tips to prevent your holiday plans being derailed by a health scare.

Insurance cover helps pay for the costs but it does not prepare you for the disappointment- Caroline Crutchley

Before you go

Check out the World Health Organisation website (www.who.int) to see which injections are required for your chosen destination. Some injections are needed way in advance and often different injections cannot be administered at the same time.

Ask your family doctor or health centre for advice on what injections are needed and where they can be administered.

A certificate of vaccination will be requested at some destinations. Thailand will want Yellow Fever cover and you may never getpast the arrivals lounge without a certificate.

The website www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk is a valuable source of information. It will give you an update on current epidemics on a country-by-country basis.

Some injections and medications may leave you feeling off-colour. Malaria medication will make you drowsy and scuba diving will be off-limits. Prioritise your needs, pre-plan and keep away from high-risk malaria areas if need be.

Take care with your diet and take plenty of vitamin C before a journey. This will help with jet lag and keep the immune system fit.

Be sensible and don’t take risks. You do not want to have to cancel your holiday because of a broken bone.

Insurance cover helps pay for the costs but it does not prepare you for the disappointment.

On the plane

Most of us do not think about the health issues of flying. You will be in an enclosed space with hundreds of people, some of whom will be ill. Just one person with flu can infect others. The dry, re-circulated air is an ideal incubator for germs

A sneeze can spread germs over a distance of 40 metres, so give yourself as much space as possible.

I often survey the crowds while waiting to board. Spot the one that is coughing and sneezing and if possible don’t sit anywhere near them on the plane.

Keep hydrated and use a saline nasal spray on long flights.

Use alcohol-based wipes regularly and clean down the tray table before use. Do not delve into the pockets of seats, as they cannot be cleaned easily. The quick turnarounds now required by airlines mean that a deep clean is rare.

After using the toilet, wash your hands twice with warm soapy water. Two washes are always better that one.

Open the air vent above your head and direct the air stream in front of your face. This helps blow the germs away. And do not touch your eyes and mouth.

One study has shown you are 100 times more likely to catch a cold after flying. Scary!

Deep vein thrombosis is a problem and even on a short trip, the use of flight socks is worthwhile. If nothing else, they will minimise swelling and the tiredness in the legs.

At your destination

Make sure you are sensible about food and water.

Top foods for tummy bug-breeding are salad and rice. Studies have shown that rice left on a buffet breeds more germs than any other food. If it is not hot, don’t eat it.

Don’t forget ice cubes – the water they are made from may be contaminated. When buying drinks make sure they are opened fresh in front of you.

Many would not touch street food because they feel the stalls are not sanitary. However, if the food is cooked from raw, while you wait, the germs have little chance of survival. Heat kills.

Sunburn is a major problem for many. We should be aware that at different altitudes and destinations the sun has a different effect on our skin. Caribbean colour is different to that on the ski slopes. In addition, over-exposure has long-term ramifications for your skin.

Altitude also has an effect on your body, especially as we live at sea-level in Malta. If you are going to the mountains expect to be more tired and slower after an active day due to thinner air.

If you plan to hire a car, take time to get used to driving in an unfamiliar place. Don’t drive too far and take a break.

If you want to try a risky sport, be insured. At least the bank balance will not be knocked for six.

Don’t come home with more than you bargained for. Exposure to blood and other bodily fluids should always be avoided. Holiday romances are not a sensible idea. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep – burning the candle at both ends will lower your immune system. And have an alcohol-free day to give the liver a rest.

Protect yourself from insects and animals. Whether it is mosquitoes or bed bugs, bites can so easily go septic, especially if you scratch.

Don’t pet animals as some countries do have rabies and losing a finger to a dog (or lion!) is no fun.

When you return

If you begin to feel unwell after travelling – particularly to a tropical destination – don’t shrug it off as nothing. Visit a doctor and tell them where you have just travelled to.

It is a little gory and I hope none of this has put you off travelling. However, be sensible, relax and chill out. That really is good for the health and is what holidays are all about – recharging the batteries.

Be a savvy traveller, not a sick one.