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Health advice

Being and staying healthy is especially important on a journey. The climate often differs from what you know. Before and during your journey you can take important precautions.

"Cook it, peel it or leave it" is an easy-to-remember rule of thumb to avoid gastro-intestinal infections.
Don't forget to drink enough and regularly! Drinking at least two litres per day is important in a hot climate. Boil or filter water, or ask whether your hotel can provide safe drinking water. If this is not possible, drink bottled water. Avoid ice cubes – they are often made from tap water.
If you spend time in air-conditioned rooms, make sure to dress accordingly – otherwise you're bound to catch a cold.
Look up emergency numbers and English-speaking doctors before you start your journey.
On excursions make sure that your taxi or rental car has seatbelts and that you get a helmet when renting a motorcycle or bicycle.

Prevention is better than cure!

Don't forget to get early-on medical consultation and have the necessary vaccinations in time. Even if vaccinations are seldom an entry condition, they prevent you from diseases. It is recommended to take at least a photocopy of your vaccination record with you while travelling.
Before going to regions with a risk of malaria, you should get an individual tropical medicine consultation. You can find the latest medical recommendations on websites of institutes for tropical medicine.
A basic medication cabinet should not be missing in your luggage. In vaccination centers you can get advice on what medication and sterile material to take with you.
In many countries you can buy medication. Unfortunately, since there are also counterfeits or substandard medications on the market, it is better to bring emergency medicine, such as malaria stand-by-medication, from a safe source like a pharmacy at home.
You can find important information on travel medical consultation on the websites of foreign ministries, as well as under:
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
www.fit-for-travel.de (only German)

For development aid workers, a special service exists on https://difaem.de/1/home/.

Don't be overly afraid of diarrhoea!

It's the most frequent health problem on (long-distance) journeys and it usually passes quickly.
Substituting water and electrolytes is the most important thing to do.
For adults suffering from diarrhoea, the following rule of thumb applies: whenever you went to the toilet, make sure to take in 250 ml of liquid. In minor cases, it often suffices to drink fruit juice, industrial fizzy drinks or soups. Furthermore, there are ready-made rehydration solutions (low osmolarity, ORS). Solutions prepared on rice gruel base are also very efficient. Don't stop eating altogether for a longer time when you have diarrhoea.
If your symptoms continue and you start having temperature, you should see a doctor.

Other widespread health risks

In many regions overseas diurnal mosquitoes transmit agents of the dengue fever – in cities as well. The only prevention of this disease is thorough mosquito repellent.
Due to the risk of bilharziosis, you should not take a bath in inland waters in many regions in Africa, South America and Asia. This includes lakes such as Lake Victoria and Lake Malawi, both of which have tempting beaches. When walking barefoot, there is the risk of infection with worm larvae which penetrate into the skin. It is therefore recommended to wear shoes.

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