• Clean Water
• Food and drink on holiday
• Immunisation
• Insect Bites on Holiday
• Jet Lag
• Motion sickness
• Pregnant travellers
• Safe Sex
• Sun exposure
• Taking medicine overseas
• Travel Medical Kits
• Volunteers and expeditions

Volunteers and expeditions

Expeditions and volunteer placements can offer the opportunity to gain a new perspective on the world, get to know other cultures and even to learn something new about yourself.

However these sorts of trips bring new hazards, and you could be more susceptible to accidents or illness, so it is advisable to take a few precautions before you go. When researching your trip and deciding where to visit, try not to focus only on the sights you want to see but also think about health issues and what can be done to keep risks to a minimum.

Having the right insurance policy can make or break your trip, so choose your policy with care. Depending on how long your one-off expedition or volunteer placement is, a 24DrTravel.com single trip policy covers you for up to 365 days for those under 65, and up to 93 days if you are between 66 and 79. Remember that if you plan to take part in potentially high risk activities such as sky diving or mountain climbing, read the small print before purchase to make sure these activities are covered.

When you know which countries you will be visiting, speak to your GP about vaccinations. Many vaccinations require several injections over a number of weeks so visit your doctor at least six weeks prior to departure to find out what is required.

If you need a yellow fever vaccination it is important to obtain a stamped certificate of vaccination as some countries will require you to present this at immigration. If you will be visiting a malarial area seek professional advice regarding the best course of preventative treatment and follow the dosage advice very carefully.

Carry plenty of good quality insect repellent and wear long clothes, especially around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are at their most active. If, as with most volunteer placements, you will be camping or staying in budget accommodation, taking your own mosquito net is a good idea.

If you suffer from any pre-existing medical conditions and require regular medication, ensure you have sufficient quantities to cover the entire expedition as you may not be able to get hold of these in the countries you visit. This also applies to contraceptives as some countries may not make these available at all.

You should also be sure to advise your insurance provider as to any pre-existing conditions before purchasing single trip travel insurance, making sure that any costs arising from these will be covered. Non-prescription health supplies, such as high-factor sun screen and contact lens solution can also be difficult to obtain away from urban centres so stock up before you go. Carrying these supplies with you from the beginning has the added advantage of creating extra room in your backpack as you use them up, so you can fill up with souvenirs and gifts for the return trip.

Anyone taking part in an expedition or volunteer placement overseas will find their minds opened to new cultures and lifestyles, making lifelong friends and seeing parts of the world that most people can only dream of. With just a little preparation you can have a trip to remember for all the right reasons.

For further information on holiday diseases and their potential effects, please see the vaccinations area of our website.