Essential health travel tips as The White Lotus cast were ‘always going to hospital’

Parker Posey has revealed that the cast of The White Lotus were “always going to hospital” in Thailand with ailments like food poisoning when shooting season three.

The actor told The Sunday Times Style that she became ill with her co-star Sam Nivola after eating some potentially undercooked fish. She said: “There was a piece of fish that left me and Sam Nivola, who plays my youngest son, on a few weeks of plain rice and pasta with the D-word and constipation alternating.”

The 56-year-old star also suffered with the “intense” heat and admitted filming felt like an “endurance test.”

Posey’s comments come as many Brits are embarking on, or planning for, their first holidays of the year. Ahead of setting off, it’s well worth future-proofing your health while abroad by looking into whether the tap water is safe to drink, any vaccinations you may need or how far your hotel is from the nearest hospital. Though it’s likely that everything will run smoothly, it’s best not to be caught out.

“If in doubt, book a travel health consultation well in advance, particularly if you have underlying health conditions or are visiting a high-risk area,” advises Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp.

Essential health tips when travelling abroad

Check if you need any vaccinations

Along with making sure your routine vaccinations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and MMR) are up to date, check if you need any other vaccines for your chosen destination. This information can be found on the NHS Fit for Travel website. Dr Misra-Sharp adds: “Common vaccines for travel include hepatitis A & B, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever (depending on the region).”

Preventing insect-born diseases

Dr Misra-Sharp explains: “If travelling to a malaria-risk area, consult a healthcare professional about antimalarial tablets. Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves/trousers, and sleep under a treated mosquito net where necessary. Be aware of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya risks, particularly in tropical regions.”

Travel insurance and medical cover

Most airlines and travel agents will offer travel insurance but make sure you have comprehensive insurance that covers any existing medical conditions and medical expenses. Not all of them will cover high-risk activities such as scuba diving or skiing so check the details of your insurance to before booking one of these.

Make up a first aid kit and prepare your prescriptions

Dr Misra-Sharp encourages travellers to carry an adequate supply of their regular medication in their hand luggage with a copy of their prescription, as well as a small basic first aid kit which includes pain relief, antihistamines, diarrhoea relief, rehydration salts, plasters, and antiseptic cream. She continues: “Research whether your medication is legal in your destination (some countries restrict certain painkillers and sedatives).”

Practice food and water safety

Be aware of whether the tap water is safe to drink and if it isn’t stick to bottled, boiled or filtered water and don’t have ice cubes in your drinks. Dr Misra-Sharp says: “Avoid street food if hygiene standards seem poor. Eat freshly cooked, hot meals rather than raw or undercooked food (especially meat and seafood). Stick to fruit that you can peel yourself, and be cautious with salads that may have been washed in unsafe water.”

Gather emergency contact details

Ahead of your trip, make sure to research and save contact details for the local emergency services and hospitals near your hotel. Dr Misra-Sharp adds: “If travelling within Europe, carry a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) for access to state healthcare in participating countries.”

DVT prevention on long-haul flights

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when a blood clot occurs in your vein leaving your leg to swell, throb and turn red, which can happen on long-haul flights. To prevent DVT, Dr Misra-Sharp states: “Stay hydrated and avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine. Move around regularly during flights, stretch your legs, and consider compression socks if you’re at risk.”

Sun protection and heat safety

Make sure to take necessary precuations if you’re visiting a hot country such as using high-factor suncream such as SPF 30+, as well as avoiding the sun in the peak hours, not spending too long in the direct sunlight and covering up with a hat and sunglasses. Dr Misra-Sharp adds: “Stay hydrated and watch out for signs of heat exhaustion (dizziness, nausea, headaches).”

Research local health risks

There could be a variety of health risks to the area you’re visiting such as air pollution, tropical diseases or altitude sickness. Dr Misra-Sharp encourages travellers to take necessary precautions and be mindful of animal bites in particular.

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