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Advice for backpackers leaflet


This advice identifies a few key points you should consider in advance of your trip – it is not comprehensive and you should read further general travel health which has been given to you today in the consultation. Some extremely useful information sources are also provided.

Backpacking refers to self-organised trips, which usually involve travelling on foot or public transport and staying in simple cheap accommodation. This can expose travellers to additional health risks. The term ‘backpacker’ is now not very specific since a traditional ‘backpack’ or rucksack is now often used by other groups of travellers including those on organised holidays and expeditions. This leaflet will also be useful for gap year travellers who are taking a year out before going on to further education, training or employment.


BEWARE THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS
Accidents are very common when trekking and also when travelling on poor roads in badly maintained vehicles. Motorcycling can be extremely hazardous.


CONTAMINATION OF FOOD AND WATER
This is a major cause of illness in travellers in particular travellers’ diarrhoea. Unless certain of the purity of the local water supply, stick to boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Alternatively, water can be sterilised with iodine drops/tablets or with a quality filter. Dishes and cutlery should ideally be washed with sterilised water. Hot tea, coffee, canned and bottled beer and wine are usually safe. Ensure that milk has been pasteurised and that cheese, cream and ice cream are made from milk that has been pasteurised. Peel all fruit, eat only cooked vegetables and avoid salads. Ensure that seafood, fish and meat are thoroughly cooked and eaten hot whenever possible. Avoid leftovers. Wash hands before eating or handling food and always after using the toilet.


MOSQUITO AND OTHER INSECT BITES
These can be minimised through wearing suitable clothing, using repellents and an impregnated mosquito net. Do not approach stray dogs that are frequently not friendly as at home.


UNSAFE SEX
Particularly, but not exclusively, unsafe sex with commercial sex workers will put travellers at risk of serious infections including HIV.


A COMPREHENSIVE FIRST AID KIT IS ESSENTIAL
You should consider including something for simple diarrhoea, sufficient anti-malarial tablets, possibly an antibiotic, and emergency malarial treatment if going to areas remote from medical facilities. If you have time before you leave, it is very valuable to undertake a short first aid course.


CULTURE SHOCK
This can be very real. Family or social difficulties at home and psychological problems, including alcoholism, make adapting difficult. Time differences between continents might increase isolation when it is difficult to maintain contact with friends and relatives. A situation that is exciting and welcome to one person can be daunting to another.


USEFUL INTERNET SITES

USEFUL BOOKS
Travellers’ Health – How to stay healthy abroad
Devised and edited by Dr Richard Dawood
Oxford University Press. 4th edition 2002. ISBN 0192629476

Bugs Bites and Bowels
by Dr Jane Wilson Howarth
Cadogan Books, London. 2006. ISBN 186011332X

The Rough Guide to Travel Health
by Dr Nick Jones
Rough Guides Ltd. ISBN 1843533243

Everything you need to know before you go – Information and advice for independent travel
by Mark Ashton
Abroadsheet Publications. 3rd Edition 1998. ISBN 0952512823

Before You Go: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Gap Year
by Tom Griffiths, foreward by Michael Palin
Publisher: Aspect Guides. 3rd Edition 2003. ISBN 0747566380


SUPPLIERS OF TRAVEL EQUIPMENT

INSURANCE COMPANIES (information taken from www.gapyear.com)

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
(All these telephone numbers attract a premium rate call charge fee)

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBERS

The Foreign Office provides a travel advice information service on CEEFAX page 470 (BBC 2).


WORLDWIDE TRAVEL CLINIC DIRECTORIES

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