You’re YOLO travel ‘tude might be doing more harm than good

Couple in love riding a motorbike , Handsome guy and young sexy woman travel . Young riders enjoying themselves on trip. Adventure and vacations concept.

New research shows that we are a nation of YOLO travellers .

Aussies’ YOLO (you only live once) attitude is putting us at risk as many of us are failing to consider health & safety on holiday, and are facing the consequences abroad and when coming home.

You only live once’ was the attitude of travellers when they admitted they didn’t research precautions before eating food from a street vendor (42.1%), eating exotic foods (37%), or falling asleep outdoors (43.1%).
One third of travellers believe it’s better to invest their money in travel insurance rather than travel vaccinations and almost 50% are failing to have the recommended travel vaccinations for their trip. Alarmingly, over 60% are not consulting their doctor before heading overseas.
Over 40% of Australian travellers admit to falling sick with potentially preventable health issues, such as sickness from food or drinking (non-alcohol), insect or animal bites or a contagious virus while overseas.
Of those who fell sick, 39% had to spend over $100 and up to $5000 on medical bills and treatment, 22% needed to take time off work because of falling ill and 21% claimed on travel insurance.

Pharmacy sign in Rome, Italy.

Travel health specialist Dr Sarah Chu suggest travellers should live their life to the full, but keep in mind the potential risks .

“Holidays are all about living in the moment. It’s quite common for travellers to think they’re safe if they’ve travelled to the destination before, or that travel insurance is enough protection and vaccinations aren’t needed, but I can assure you the risk of falling sick is very real and can happen to anyone,” she advised.

Dr Chu’s top tips for healthy holiday were to book an appointment with a GP or travel health specialist prior to leaving and assess whether vaccines are required, and ask about your potential exposure to diseases in your destination, and what preventative measures you can take.

young girl feels quite embarassed when her boyfriend stops to throw up into a garbage can in town square. maybe he drank too much or maybe those clams he had were not all that fresh.
A letter to my YOLO self: case study testimonials

Sophia, 25, spent her recent holiday in bed (and on the toilet), not eating spring rolls or lying by the beach. All it took was a few cocktails with ice cubes (something many Aussies are unaware they should avoid).
Jamie, didn’t think he would be at risk in Indonesia. A few days into the trip, he was bed-ridden with fever, shakes and the sweats. He ended up being transported to the doctor on a donkey cart and a horrendous ferry trip to seek medical treatment.

Don’t like the sound of that? Then remember to seek advice on your health requirements before you jetset on holiday, and always be cautious of potential health risks. For more information visit: vaccinehub.com.au/travelvaccinationadvice

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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