Hmm.. I've had a "bit" of experience with this so here goes.
I would first and foremost suggest a visit to your family doctor and inform him on where you are planning on going.
Prior to the visit head to the World Health Organization website , as well as the CDC ( center for disease control ) and see exactly what diseases/illnesses are currently prevalent in the location you are traveling to. "an ounce of prevention is worth a pond of cure" rings really true in these cases.
Pardon the caps: MAKE SURE YOUR VACCINATIONS ARE CURRENT.
Yellow fever, smallpox, and ESPECIALLY hepatitis. You can get hepatitis from tainted food. Dont' fiddle with it, it can kill you.
If you are heading into an area where malaria is a common ailment, ask for a prophylaxis medication.
A great website to browse is :
http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/tables.htmInvest in a mosquito net, a really good, high quality one. I can't stress this enough. Make sure to pack some high percentage DEET lotion or spray as well.
USE THE MOSQUITO NET. Even if you are in a hotel room that is air conditioned. ( but ESPECIALLY if you are in an open air environment ) It's the BEST way to protect yourself from mosquito bourne illness, period. Carry a small kit with a few cup hook screws so you can effectively hang the net. Trust me, you can fill the small hole from the screws with toothpaste and no one will know.
As far as food and water bourne illnesses are concerned:
( i realize I'm probably sounding "preachy" here.. Please forgive me...)
Thats kind of a "russian roulette" issue to a small degree.
In most third world countries: ( mexico, latin america, south america, western and south east asia, and ESPECIALLY AFRICA , and INDIA )
- Never ever, ever, ever, eat from an open air vendor on the street, or in a market place unless you see the food being thoroughly cooked to well done before your eyes. In fact, the best advice is to NOT do it. Stick to established, places that are known to be relatively safe.
A SUPER place to go and get travel guides that are remarkably current is:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ I've used these and have been VERY happy with them.
- This sounds like common sense but:
- Don't eat fresh fruit,or locally grown produce..EVER..
UNLESS it is in an establishment that has been scrutinzed quite well, and has strict hygene practices. (I'm talking about a big name hotel like Hyatt, Hilton, Raddison, etc.) These resorts cater to foreigners and are very good at washing/sterilizing food items. The are not 100% however, and you still can get sick in some of them.
- Drink only bottled water, have NO ice in any drink. (This is where a MIOX would come in handy. Meaning, if you need water just fill up a bottle fron the tap and treat it. HINT, HINT . and if not a MIOX, a Visine bottle full of bleach..)
- Carry some hand sanitizer in a rucksak and use it often. ( gel alcohol type. ) ESPECIALLY before you touch your mouth after handling goods and wares in a marketplace or bazar.
As far as medications go:
I personally carry a LEGAL perscription for the following when I travel outside of the US:
Lomotil - This is to treat severe diarrhea in adults. It will lock your intestines up like a bank vault. Use caution in giving it to children. And be sure to drink plenty of filtered water.
Compazine - This is an especially powerful anti-nausea drug. But, it can stop the heaves, trust me.
Benadryl - Super for allergies, and can help someone sleep easily, especially children and pets.
Valium/Xanex - has a very calming affect and can come in handy in stressful situations.
Keflex - Keflex is an antibiotic. Keflex is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections such as bronchitis, tonsillitis, ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections. it can be a life saver.
The basics are handy as well. I always travel with aspirin, cough drops, eyedrops, some small foils of neosporin, bandaids, and other things.... Like a few packets of gatorade powder, sunscreen, a nail clipper, etc..
Sorry for the long rambling post. I hope it helps.
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