To reduce the risk of contracting illnesses while staying abroad, it is important to follow several guidelines:
- It is recommended to maintain good personal hygiene.
- Ensure adequate rest, proper hydration, and balanced nutrition.
- Avoid excessive physical exertion and prolonged exposure to the sun; wear clothing appropriate for the local climate, comfortable shoes, and a hat.
- When traveling to high-altitude destinations, ascend gradually to prevent altitude sickness.
- Beware of snakes and scorpions: avoid moving stones or logs abruptly and do not place bare hands underneath them. When walking through bushes or tall grass, it is recommended to wear high shoes and long pants.
- Avoid contact with animals and do not pet dogs or cats, especially in areas affected by rabies. In the event of a bite, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water immediately and seek medical attention at once for rabies evaluation and treatment.
- Avoid swimming in lakes or rivers in areas affected by schistosomiasis (bilharzia).
- Avoid getting tattoos or ear piercings. Equipment or needles may be contaminated and can transmit diseases such as hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.
- Before a long trip, it is advisable to have a dental check-up and complete any necessary dental treatment. Dental care during travel may expose travelers to the risk of hepatitis B or HIV/AIDS.
- Exercise caution during casual sexual encounters due to the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
- Travelers who wear glasses are advised to bring an extra pair on long trips.
Food and Beverage Safety Guidelines
In many developing countries, water sources are not supervised and may contain disease-causing agents. The following rules help prevent illnesses caused by contaminated drinking water:
- Avoid drinking beverages that are not from sealed bottles.
- Avoid drinking juices or eating ice cream sold at street stalls.
- Unpasteurized milk must be boiled; avoid consuming dairy products made from unpasteurized milk.
- Avoid eating undercooked meat, fish, or seafood. It is also advisable to avoid foods made from raw vegetables or fruits.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables should be eaten only after being thoroughly washed with safe drinking water and soap and peeled.
- Avoid eating food that has been left unrefrigerated for an extended period.
- To prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea, drink plenty of hot tea or boiled water with added sugar and a pinch of salt.
- Avoid adding ice cubes to drinks unless they are made from safe drinking water.
- Boil or disinfect water from unsafe sources. Water can be disinfected by:
- Chlorine tablets – 17 mg per liter of water.
- 2% iodine tincture – 5 drops per liter of water (water can be used 30 minutes after adding the disinfectant).
- A bottle with a water-purifying filter.
