Health risks and how to avoid them

Each journey and each traveller pose a fresh set of circumstances; there are many variables to consider. By reading further about the country you intend to visit you can prepare yourself beforehand and take precautions.

Water

If you have any doubts about the quality of the tap water, boil it or sterilise it with disinfectant tablets or use bottled water from a sealed container for drinking, brushing teeth or washing food. Check that ice has been prepared from safe water.

Food

If the water is suspect, do not eat salads or fruit unless you can peel it yourself. Check that cooked food has been thoroughly heated through.

Insect Bites

Mosquitoes may spread several diseases, not only malaria but Japanese B encephalitis for example. It is well worth checking the likely risk in the country you are visiting. At high altitude, and in cold conditions they will not be a problem, and many cities are safe. In endemic areas, take care between dusk and dawn, the feeding time for these insects, by applying insect repellents, wearing clothing that is tight at wrist and ankle, and using a well-fitting mosquito net during sleep. Increasing resistance to anti-malarial drugs is a major problem, particularly in some parts of Africa, so even if you are taking the medication it is still most important to take steps to avoid bites.

Sun

The nearer the equator, the stronger the sun will be. Using sun umbrellas, protective creams and wide brimmed hats, and avoiding exposure during the hours around midday when the sun is hottest will help to prevent not only sunburn but sunstroke, heatstroke, and susceptibility to malignant skin disease in later life.