Pre-departure Examination
Before entering South Korea, there are several vaccinations and medications that the expatriates need to get to reduce the risk of getting diseases. First of all, seeing a health-care provider at least 4-6 weeks before departure is highly recommended. The reason why it should be 4-6 weeks is because it can give more time for the vaccines to take effect. Also, expatriates need to make sure their routine vaccinations are up-to-date, since it is easy to get inflection in other country that they are not used to live in. Besides, there are five recommendations for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, which are Routine, Hepatitis A or immune globulin, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis. Expatriates who live or work under high exposure is also recommended to get the Rabies vaccination. There is no written policy to reject foreigners who have HIV/AIDS in South Korea; however, according to the Korean Immigration law, Section 11, it states that they have the right to reject people who may have contagious diseases.
Living in Hardship Locations
In order to stay healthy during the working period in South Korea as an expatriate, there are many daily lives we need to pay attention to. First of all, we need to be careful about the food and water that we obtain. The best choice is to drink bottled or boil water, or any drinks in cans or bottles that sell in trustworthy stores; avoid drinking tap water or fountain water at the same time. Even though it might be attractive to try food sells by street vendors, avoid purchasing them.
Second, prevent animal and insect bites, and scratches from animals. It is easy to get malaria and denque diseases by insects bites; therefore, in order to prevent the diseases, expatriates should use bug spray, wear long-sleeved clothes, long pants, and etc. that can protect themselves not to be bitten by insects. Besides, stay indoors with air-conditioned during the peak period of malaria; to be safer, sleep in beds that with net covered and spray the room with bug spray. Contacting directly with animals can cause injury or illness, or even spread disease like rabies. Therefore, expatriates should make sure they have up-to-date tetanus vaccination. It is better not to feed any animals or stay close to them; however, if unfortunately bitten or scratched by animals, make sure to go see the doctor right away.
Traveling to Hardship Locations
Before traveling to hardship locations, it is always better to a first-aid kit for traveling, especially since it is not only a trip. One move that is highly recommended is to see your family doctor before you go, get your prescription medicine in the original containers, and get extra prescription for those medicines. Other medicines that you might consider bringing are cough medicines, pain medicines, medicines for upset stomach, and etc. You also need to bring some other medicines according to your physical health. Hand sanitizers or wipes, pocket knife, and thermos are some other first aid kits that are recommended to bring.
Besides first-aid kit that you can prepare before leaving our home country, you also need to beware while staying in the host country. There are three things that you should avoid when you are traveling: overcrowded transportation, vehicles without safety belts, and unfamiliar nighttime driving. To be more specific, wear a helmet when you ride a motorbike, never drive to any unfamiliar area that without directions or local help, and try your best to keep your safe according to your common sense.
