Tips for Travelers

1. While travelling, one should avoid eating food or drinking water contaminated by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. This is especially so in the case of foodstuff that is uncooked or raw and/or sold open on the streets. Infections may cause diarrhoea and vomiting (E.coli, Salmonella, cholera), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Food: Food should be selected with care. Any raw food could be contaminated, particularly in areas of poor sanitation. Foods of particular concern include salads, uncooked vegetables and fruit, unpasteurized milk and milk products, raw meat, and shellfish. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled. When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel them yourself after washing your hands with soap first.

• Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming.
• Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers get sick from food bought from street vendors.
• Infants younger than 6 months should either be breast-fed or be given powdered commercial formula prepared with boiled water.

Drinking:

In areas with poor sanitation, only the following beverages may be safe to drink: boiled water, hot beverages (such as coffee or tea) made with boiled water, canned or bottled carbonated beverages, bottled mineral water (with the seal intact), beer, and wine.

• Ice may be made from unsafe water and should be avoided.
• Avoid popsicles and flavored ices that may have been made with contaminated water.
• It is safer to drink from a can or bottle of beverage, after wiping clean the area that will touch the mouth, than to drink from a container that was not known to be clean and dry.
• Never drink from open wells or rivers unless using an iodine resin water purifier.
• Boiling is the most reliable method to make water safe to drink. Bring water to a vigorous boil, and then allow it to cool; do not add ice.

2. One should prevent malarial infection by taking prescribed antimalarial drugs and protecting oneself against mosquito bites.
In addition to using drugs to prevent malaria, travellers should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing clothing that covers most of the body, using mosquito netting, i.e. bed nets, and applying insect repellent to exposed skin, particularly between the cooler hours of the dusk and dawn, when most mosquitoes are known to feed.

3. Sunburn and heat stroke, especially at high altitudes and after long hours in the sun. Dehydration and salt deficiency can cause heat exhaustion which is typically characterised by lethargy, fatigue and headaches. In comparison, in a heat stroke, it's the body's heat control mechanisms that break down and the body temperature rises to dangerous levels. Sweating diminishes, and headache and delirium also occur. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, drink lots of non-alcoholic fluids and increase salt intake in food.

To protect oneself from sunburn, one should always wear a hat, sunglasses and use some form of sun protection cream or lotion.

4. mountain sickness can be caused at high altitudes when trekking. If you plan to visit or trek in parts of the Himalayan Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude. Rest a bit, drink lots of fluids, eat light, avoid alcohol, cigarettes and sedatives.

In addition, use sunblock rated at least 15 SPF, because the risk of sunburn is greater at high altitudes.

One should prevent malarial infection by taking prescribed antimalarial drugs and protecting oneself against mosquito bites.
In addition to using drugs to prevent malaria, travellers should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing clothing that covers most of the body, using mosquito netting, i.e. bed nets, and applying insect repellent to exposed skin, particularly between the cooler hours of the dusk and dawn, when most mosquitoes are known to feed.