An overseas vacation is alluring, exciting and for many of us, too costly and infrequent to allow ourselves to become ill so far away from home. But this doesn’t have to happen to you.
Although potential health risks always exist, they shouldn’t be your main focus during your trip. The most common health problems that travelers encounter on trips are centered on food, water and a few infectious diseases. Worries about these types of problems can pretty safely be set aside if you take just a few preventative measures before embarking on your journey.
Water
Water is perhaps one of the most important causes for worry among travelers.
You should avoid:
- Tap water, unless you are absolutely sure that it is safe to drink.
- Beverages/mixed drinks with ice cubes, as the ice is probably made with local tap water.
- Locally bottled water. Some restaurants have been known to refill commercial water bottles with tap water. (If you order locally bottled water, ask that it be brought to you unopened)
Safe Water Choices:
· Beer and wine, particularly if you can drink from the bottle or can.
· Beverages made with boiling water.
· Bottled carbonated water and name brand soft drinks served in the original container. The acidity found in carbonated drinks will help kill any dangerous microbes.
Foods
Unless you are somewhere that you are 100% sure that the food you are eating is safe, you should take precautions. The chances of eating contaminated food are far greater in less developed countries such as South America, Asia and Africa, but they can also be a problem in Europe, particularly along the Mediterranean.
You should avoid:
- Uncooked salad vegetables.
- Shellfish, unless you are sure that the water that they came from is completely safe.
- Raw or undercooked meats.
- In tropical locations, milk and milk byproducts should be avoided as unpasteurized milk can spread many different diseases.
Safe Food Choices:
- In Western Europe, milk and dairy products are considered safe.
- Canned vegetables, fruit, soups, milk and meats.
- Fresh fruit that you peel yourself.
- Fresh boiled vegetables.
- Hot, well cooked meats. It is advisable to avoid buffets while traveling overseas, because buffet food is warm, not hot.
Precautionary Shots
Not all travelers` diseases come from food and water. Some diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes or other insects, and others from person to person. This should make getting vaccinated an important part of travel plans. No special vaccination is required for travel within North America or Europe, but those heading to the tropics should visit a travel clinic or their family physician to find out what vaccinations are available before leaving home.
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