How To Treat 5 Common Travel Illnesses

• Travellers' Diarrhoea

The signs:  You have runny stools and might also vomit.

Do this: Keep well hydrated with an oral rehydration solution. If you have a fever, take fever medication. Be sure to eat easy-to-digest food like rice porridge, toast, bananas or apples.

See a doctor: If the symptoms don’t go away after three days, or if you start to pees less, have a fever that won’t go down and is increasingly tired. 2. Upper-respiratory Tract Infections

The signs: Fever, ear ache, throat pain, runny nose and body aches. Kids are especially susceptible to this type of infections after a long-haul flight or spending time in crowded places like airport lounges and tourist attractions.

Do this: Use fever meds to control temperature spikes, as well as other ailments like ear ache, throat pain and body aches. Offer plenty of fluids. You can relieve nasal symptoms like a runny or blocked nose with antihistamines.

See a doctor: if the fever won’t go down or is difficult to bring down, or if your child becomes increasingly lethargic. 3. Swimmer's Ear 

The signs: Ear ache, from the ear canal becoming inflamed or infected as moisture trapped in there. This is common when your ears are repeatedly exposed to water and not dried properly.

Do this: Use painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to dull the pain. Keep your ears dry. You can prevent this by using ear plugs while swimming, and drying your ears afterwards.

See a doctor: If symptoms worsen or don’t improve. You might need antibiotic ear drops. 4. Traveller's Tummy

The signs: Painful stomach aches and cramps, especially after drinkingfrom unmarked water bottles, swimming in stagnant bodies of water or eating raw food.

Do this: Take pills for stomach pains like acteaminophen or trusted Chinese medicines like Po Chai Pills if you're comfortable with them.

See a doctor: If pain doesn't go away after a day or if you develop other symptoms like body aches, fever and rashes. 5. Motion Sickness/Nausea

The signs: Headaches, feeling like you're going to vomit, getting dizzy.

Do this: Get motion sickness pills or lie down. Motion sickness should wear off once you're on solid ground and relaxed.

See a doctor: If symptoms continue or if it gets worse.

Before you administer any medications to your loved ones, make sure you're familiar with the over the counter medications you're prescribing and find out if your loved ones have any drug allergies.