TIP: Health tips for international travel

I've been writing my Travel Tips column for more than eight years and I often get questions about health issues, mainly because I travel so frequently to developing countries.

Before going on any trip, I pull up the web site for the Centers for Disease Control and check out any travel warnings. I also see what vaccinations are recommended and make sure all my shots are up to date. When was the last time you were vaccinated for polio? Have you had a tetanus booster in the last 10 years? What about hepatitis A and B? Should you take malaria medications?

Your best bet is to contact a travel clinic, tell them where you are going and have them recommend the necessary vaccinations. Also, check with your primary physician. Some of the shots or pills may be covered under your insurance, i.e. tetanus or even hepatitis A. I doubt your local physician carries the oral vaccine for typhoid fever, but it never hurts to ask. Also, your doctor will know if any of these medications are incompatible with the medicines you take routinely. You may have a health issue that would preclude you from taking certain medications.

There are certain rules or guidelines that I tend to follow when traveling in Third World countries. When I arrive at my destination, I try to take it easy and let my body adjust. Even if I have to go a day or two early, I want to be somewhat rested before I start "playing tourist."

If I'm somewhere where there are disease-bearing insects, I protect myself with clothing (long-sleeved shirts, closed shoes, etc.) and insect repellent. Mosquitoes love me, so I definitely take precautions. I don't wear perfume or hairspray and I take vitamin B12 for a month or so before I go. I was told mosquitoes don't like the smell of vitamin B12, so they stay away. Whether it's true or not I don't know, but I've traveled in the jungles of South America and the deserts of Africa and only a couple of mosquitoes made it past my defense.

I always drink purified or bottled water. Even in five-star hotels, I feel better using bottled water when I brush my teeth. I'm not talking about traveling in Germany or France; I'm more concerned when I travel in China, India, Mongolia, Peru, Ecuador, etc.

Eating can be a challenge in developing countries. Make sure everything is well cooked. As for fresh fruits and vegetables, if it can't be peeled, I don't eat it. Even if the guide tells me it's safe, I still don't eat raw fruits and vegetables unless they can be peeled. When I traveled through Europe in my youth, I used to eat from the food stands on the street. Unfortunately, those days are gone.

Swimming in lakes, rivers and streams can be a problem and I tend to stay away from areas that attract mosquitoes. Even when I'm at the beach, I usually don't go barefoot -- I prefer wearing flip-flops. When I was in India last year, I carried a pair of socks in my backpack to wear in case there were no foot covers available when visiting temples and shrines. I'm really not a "germophobe." I tend to be cautious when I travel to certain destinations.

I carry my prescription medicine in my carry-on luggage and have my physician write out the Latin, or generic, name of the drug. If you have allergies or are allergic to any medications, I strongly suggest wearing a med-alert bracelet. Med-alert bracelets have changed since they first became available many years ago. Today, there are some very attractive ones you can buy through the Internet.

Make sure you carry a hat for those sunny days; sunstroke is no laughing matter. I always carry sunblock with me as part of my "first aide" kit. If you're seriously concerned about too much sun, there is a whole line of clothing with built-in sunblock. It's expensive but definitely worth the money if it means a safer trip.
If you are traveling to Third World countries, it¹s best to travel wisely. I discovered it's better to be safe than sorry.