This has been split onto 3 pages for ease of reading and you can download the complete leaflet, in order to take it on holiday with you

General travel advice leaflet


WATER
Diseases can be caught from drinking contaminated water, or swimming in it. Unless you KNOW the water supply is safe where you are staying, only use (in order of preference)

1. Boiled water
2. Bottled water or canned drinks
3. Water treated by a sterilising agent

This includes ice cubes in drinks and water for cleaning your teeth.


SWIMMING
It is safer to swim in water that is well chlorinated. If you are travelling to Africa, South America or some parts of the Caribbean, avoid swimming in fresh water lakes and streams. You can catch a parasitic disease called Schistosomiasis from such places. This disease is also known as Bilharzia. It is wise never go barefoot, but to wear protective footwear when out, even on the beach. Other diseases can be caught from sand and soil, particularly wet soil.


FOOD
Contaminated food is the commonest source of many diseases abroad. You can help prevent it by following these guidelines:

• Only eat well cooked fresh food
• Avoid leftovers and reheated foods
• Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked
• Eat cooked vegetables, avoid salads
• Only eat fruit you can peel
• Never drink un-pasteurised milk
• Avoid ice cream and shellfish
• Avoid buying food from street vendor’s stalls

Another source of calories is alcohol. If you drink to excess, alcohol could lead you to become carefree and ignore these precautions.

Two phrases to help you remember:

1. Cook it, peel it or leave it
2. When in doubt, leave it out

PERSONAL HYGIENE
Many diseases are transmitted by what is known as the ‘faecal-oral’ route. To help prevent this, always wash your hands with soap and clean water after going to the toilet, before eating and before handling food.


TRAVELLERS’ DIARRHOEA
This is the most common illness you will be exposed to abroad and there is no vaccine against it. Travellers’ diarrhoea is caused by eating and/or drinking food and water contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Risk of illness is higher in some countries than others.

• High risk areas include North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, S.E. Asia, South America, Mexico and the Middle East
• Medium risk areas include the northern Mediterranean, Canary Islands and the Caribbean Islands
• Low risk areas include North America, Western Europe and Australia

You can certainly help prevent travellers’ diarrhoea in the way you behave - make sure you follow the food, water and personal hygiene guidelines already given.

Travellers’ diarrhoea is 4 or more loose stools in a 24 hour period often accompanied by stomach pain, cramps and vomiting. It usually lasts 2-4 days and whilst it is not a life threatening illness, it can disrupt your trip for several days. The main danger if the illness is dehydration, and this, if very severe, can kill if it is not treated.

Treatment is therefore rehydration. In severe cases and particularly in young children and the elderly, commercially prepared rehydration solution is extremely useful. This can be bought in tablet or sachet form at a chemist shop e.g. DIORALYTE or ELECTROLADE. (Dioralyte Relief is a new formula containing rice powder which also helps to relieve the diarrhoea, particularly useful in children). Prepare according to instructions.

Anti diarrhoeal tablets can be used for adults but should never be used in children under 4 years of age, and only on prescription for children aged 4 to 12 years. Commonly used tablets are IMODIUM and LOMOTIL. None of these tablets should ever be used if the person has a temperature or blood in the stool.

Contact medical help if the affected person has:

• A temperature
• Blood in the diarrhoea
• Diarrhoea for more than 48 hours (or 24 hours in children)
• Becomes confused

In very special circumstances, antibiotics are used for diarrhoea, but this decision should only be made by a doctor.
(A woman taking the oral contraceptive pill may not have full contraceptive protection if she has had diarrhoea and vomiting. Extra precautions must be used - refer to your ‘pill’ information leaflet. If using condoms, use products with the British Kite Mark.)


Part 2
Part 3

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