Travel health

Staying healthy while you travel is usually just a matter of being sensible and following a few precautions. The right preparation means it's unlikely you'll get more than a cold or a dodgy tummy.

• Before you go
• What travel health items to take
• Staying healthy while you travel
• Existing medical conditions

Before you go

• More about
• Travel vaccinations
• Malaria prevention

Check your guidebook or with your travel/volunteering organisation about malaria prevention and vaccinations. Be aware that in some countries a yellow fever certificate is required before you can enter. If you need vaccinations or malaria treatment, visit a travel health nurse who can advise you on all aspects of travel safety. Make sure you get comprehensive travel insurance too.

What travel health items to take

Most travellers take some basic first aid items - plasters, antiseptic, painkillers. If you're going somewhere remote, you might want to take a medical kit which includes sterile dental equipment or needles. If you're prone to certain conditions, you might take some medication as a precaution - eg sore throat sweets, antacids, steroid cream, seasickness pills, anti-diarrhea medication.

Some travellers get antibiotics (on prescription from their GP) as a precaution against upset stomachs and other infections.

Most medication is fine for travelling across borders, but if you plan to take anything unusual, check with the embassy of your destination country first.

Staying healthy while you travel

An upset stomach is unavoidable in some places, but you can minimise the risk. Avoid tap water and ice - choose bottled water instead. Be careful of salads and other food that may have been rinsed in tap water. Ensure all meat and fish are cooked thoroughly - you may choose to avoid shellfish entirely.

Air conditioning and aircraft can be drying and make you more susceptible to colds. Drink plenty of water, and opt for fans instead of air conditioning where you can.

Pay attention to advice (both local advice and advice from the Foreign Office) regarding where to go and what to do. Obviously some accidents are unavoidable but staying away from danger areas will minimise your risk. Likewise, if you're at the beach, make sure you stay within your depth and near a lifeguard (if there is one). Cover cuts when swimming.

Animals (both domestic and wild) are best avoided if you want to be on the safe side - rabies jabs will only give you so much protection.

Existing medical conditions

If you have something like diabetes or epilepsy, check with your charity for travel advice, particularly carrying and storing your medication. If you have any medical condition, you must tell your insurance company - they could refuse a claim if you hide anything.

You must also check that your condition won't prevent you from doing the activities that you are planning. Check with your adventure travel group, your volunteering organisation or other career break company.

If you are disabled, you may find it useful to get advice from a disability travel service before you start planning your trip. Some places are almost impossible to negotiate with a wheelchair, or difficult for those with sensory disabilities - although there are many places in the world which are accessible. If you are going somewhere remote (particularly in the developing world), be prepared for attention if you have an obvious disability.

Finally, bear in mind that some conditions or disabilities can make you better suited to some experiences, particularly volunteer work with people with similar disabilities. Also, variable medical conditions (eg depression) can actually sometimes improve while travelling.

• Travel safety
• Malaria prevention
• Travel health advice - men
• Travel health advice - women
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