Travelling abroad
Q: Is it safe to travel abroad, and what precautions should I take if I do?
A: The Directorate of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are
responsible for issuing travel guidlines. The Norwegian authorities are not
currently advising against travel to any particular country due to A(H1N1)
flu. Visit www.pandemi.no or the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s
website to keep up to date on travel advice and other relevant information.
During your trip you should abide by the normal advice on infection
protection, ie good hand hygiene and limiting contact with people who are
ill. Remember to protect others from infection by you if you yourself should
become ill.
If you should fall ill, contact your travel insurance provider or, if
relevant, your travel company for advice on returning home. You are advised
against travelling home by plane or other means of public transport while
you are showing signs of the illness. If you are ill you should take it easy
and not expose fellow passengers to infection. If you become seriously ill,
if you are at risk of developing serious complications as a result of
influenza, or if you are pregnant, you must contact a doctor or emergency
medical centre as soon as possible.
Anyone who is at risk of developing complications as a result of the A(H1N1)
influenza virus and who has not been vaccinated is urged to consider whether
their journey is necessary. If in doubt contact your treating physician.
Follow the advice given with regard to protecting yourself against
infection.
Young children normally catch virus illnesses more easily than adults, but
complications are rare. Infants have not yet developed a strong immune
system and should be protected extra specially against close contact with
sick people.
Q: Should I avoid foreign travel if I am pregnant or am otherwise at risk of developing
complications in the event of flu?
A: Travellers who have not been vaccinated are urged to keep themselves
up to date about the situation, and to follow the advice of the local health
authorities. People with an increased risk of becoming seriously ill or
developing complications after contracting the flu, including pregnant
women, should consider carefully whether they need to travel to areas with a
high incidence of flu.
Q: Can I prevent myself from catching A(H1N1) flu by taking Tamiflu or Relenza before
I travel?
A: Tamiflu and Relenza can prevent the infection developing into an
illness by affecting the virus’s ability to penetrate the cells of the
respiratory tract. Preventive treatment with the medicines concerned when
travelling to affected areas is not normally recommended, since the majority
of those infected will develop only mild symptoms. To have any effect
Tamiflu must be taken during the entire stay in areas where there is a risk
of becoming infected. Tamiflu will be available to anyone who becomes ill in
the majority of countries. Unvaccinated people who are at particular risk of
becoming seriously ill must discuss the possibility of preventive use of
Tamiflu or Relenza with their treating physician.
Q: What should I do if I fall ill on board an aeroplane?
A: Contact a member of the cabin crew. You may be asked to use a face
mask during the entire flight. They will decide whether you should change
your seat to reduce the chance of infecting fellow passengers. Avoid
coughing or sneezing on other people, and limit the contact you have with
other people on the flight. If you belong to one of the groups that has a
greater risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu, or you are pregnant,
contact a doctor or emergency medical centre when you land to discuss the
need for possible treatment.
[Publisert: 25.11.2009]
|
