Firstly, I am not a doctor (but I play one on TV). Therefore, I am not qualified to give . . . → Read More: General Medical Information]]>

Firstly, I am not a doctor (but I play one on TV). Therefore, I am not qualified to give any advice on health or medicine.

This section is just a list of things I found out about travel and health whilst reading about various countries around the world. It also serves as a checklist of things to do before I go travelling and the order in which I need to do them.

For all travel-related health advice consult an expert (your doctor or travel clinic, for example). You can also read books and browse websites, but remember that health advice changes all the time, epidemics come and go, new diseases appear, drugs become resistant, more effective vaccines are developed, and so on. And some of those websites may just be plain wrong.

It is a good idea to become familiar, in general terms, with what are the possible health risks in each country you intend to visit. Some of these risks should not be taken lightly but, on the other hand, you shouldn’t allow the fear of health problems to put you off travelling.

It is all a question of perspective. Whilst you hear about all kinds of horrible diseases in the news, like Ebola and Plague, travellers don’t get them. In fact, one of the deadliest viruses of all is found in the developed world and is far more widespread.

That said, in most countries in the developed world you will probably not have any health problems at all, just those you get at home, such as coughs and colds, diarrhea and constipation, and hangovers. Everywhere else in the world the worst you will probably get is a stomach upset from unfamiliar microbes.

As stated above, consult an expert, follow their advice, and take sensible precautions. Knowledge and prevention will greatly reduce the risks of falling ill anywhere in the world.

The Main Health Risks for Travellers

The main cause by far of preventable deaths and injuries among travellers is accidents. These include being run over by, or crashing in, a moving vehicle.

Thus the best advice is to do what you do back home; always wear a seat belt (or helmet on a bike), always look both ways before crossing a street, at the same time standing well back from the curb.



Studies have shown that around 50% of deaths while travelling are from heart attacks (which you probably would have had at home anyway), another 20% or so due to injuries, with the rest made up of such things as cancer, suicides and homicides.

Only around 1% of deaths are due to the infectious diseases and illnesses listed elsewhere on this website. Also, most deaths while travelling occur in Europe (where most people travel), and not in developing countries.

On Being Your Own Doctor

When you are at home and get a sniffle or cough you can either ignore it or hope it will go away. Others may try to treat it or at least ameliorate the symptoms. Doing this while travelling in the developing world, however, can have serious consequences.

You should never ignore symptoms or try to diagnose yourself (or anyone else) while travelling. Seek professional advice as soon as you can. Doctors in developing countries may not seem as well-qualified as those back home but they are usually familiar with local health problems, and the knowledge base they use to diagnose will be far more extensive than yours which will probably have been gleaned from books or the Internet.

After getting advice from a health professional, try to get to the best care available whenever you can, even if it means travelling long distances.

Upon Returning Home

If you feel ill after returning from the developing world, go and see your doctor and let them know you have just come back from there. You may be referred to a tropical disease specialist. Some people get tests to see if they might have picked up something, even if they have no symptoms.

Below is a list of just some of the books that I have bought and found useful on . . . → Read More: Books]]>

Below is a list of just some of the books that I have bought and found useful on my travels. I usually read these before I leave and try to memorise as much as I can, as carrying even just one book with you when you travel adds considerably to your load. (That said, I do carry the first book on the list with me as it is tiny).

To be honest, these days I tend to listen to audio books on my iPod mainly, as I can fit a considerable number of books onto it and listening in this way also keeps your hands free when walking around. You can buy these online or in major bookstores on CD. Just search online for audio books.

(Click for US supplier) (Click for UK supplier)

Travel Health

Bezruchka, Stephen. The Pocket Doctor: A Passport to Healthy Travel. Mountaineers Books; 3 edition (March 1999). The classic reference for international travelers – completely updated.

Dawood, Richard, M.D. Travelers’ Health: How to Stay Healthy All Over the World. New York: Random House, 1994. With six hundred pages of advice from sixty British and American travel medicine specialists, this is the most complete travelers’ health guide.

Dessery, Bradford L., and Robin, Marc R. The Medical Guide for Third World Travelers: A Comprehensive Self-Care Handbook. San Diego: K-W Publications, 1992. This is a good health guide by two nurses with practical experience.

Schroeder, Dirk G. Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Chico, CA: Moon Publications, 1993. Another good travelers’ health book.

Equipment

Fletcher, Colin. The Complete Walker. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984. Dubbed the “hiker’s Bible,” this is a highly detailed look at the gear and philosophy of a wilderness backpacker who has also written several other books.

Working Abroad

Griffith, Susan. Teaching English Abroad. Oxford: Vacation Work, 1994. This is over three hundred pages on the subject, including numerous personal accounts. Distributed in the U.S. by Petersen’s Guides, Princeton, NJ (tel. 800-338-3282).

Communication

Hall, Edward T. The Silent Language. Garden City, New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1959. A groundbreaking work on nonverbal communication.

Pei, Mario. Talking Your Way Around the World. New York: Harper & Row, 1971. Interesting reading on languages by the popular linguist, although you won’t quite be speaking Indo-European come page 288.

Miller, Stuart. Understanding Europeans. Santa Fe: John Muir Publications, 1990. This is an incisive book by an American former professor of European comparative literature who has lived and worked extensively in Europe. It also helps you understand Americans.

Some of the following links are on other pages of this website. I have brought them all together on . . . → Read More: Websites]]>

Some of the following links are on other pages of this website. I have brought them all together on this page, plus a few others that I found useful when researching long-term worldwide travel.

The links are not listed in any particular order, although I try to keep them arranged in the same order as they appear on this site.

General:

How to travel overland comfortably and affordably
General Travel Hints and Tips
The Traveller’s Toolkit – Independent travel resources
Round-The-World Travel Guide – The Travel Library
Lots of very useful travel advice links
Using a cell phone overseas
Maps of the night sky

Money:

Visa worldwide ATM/cash machine locator
MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus ATM locator
Credit card travel tips
Lost VISA card toll-free numbers
Lost MasterCard card toll-free numbers

Health:

Health Information for Overseas Travel
World Health Organization latest information by country
Health information by country and by illness plus a world list of doctors
Vaccination information by country
Malaria information – Generate a personal anti-malarial report by country
Malaria information – World map of risk areas

Water purification:

Water bottle purification systems
Steripen handheld, pocket-sized water purifier

Working/Volunteering Abroad:

Volunteers Abroad – Worldwide volunteer opportunities
Help Exchange – Volunteer to work at farms, homes, ranches, lodges, etc.
Voluntary Service Overseas

Packing light:

Lightweight Backpacking 101 – For hiking and camping
Travel light out of one carry-on sized bag
For the First-time Traveller
Packing light for vacations and air travel

Equipment stores:

Magellans International Travel Inc

Backpack security:

Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products
Travel Security Products

Country guides:

Government Advice for UK travellers
Government Advice for US travellers
South East Asia specific travel advice
Weather information by country

Accommodation:

Hostel information by country
Youth Hostel Association – UK
Youth Hostel Association – Worldwide

Phrasebooks:

www.lastminute.com
www.collinslanguage.com

Stock photos:

www.tssphoto.com
www.the-lightbox.com
www.availablestockphotos.com

A vaccination certificate may be required if you have previously visited areas where specific diseases are widespread or when . . . → Read More: Vaccination Certificate]]>

A vaccination certificate may be required if you have previously visited areas where specific diseases are widespread or when visiting countries where there are increased health risks for travellers. This is usually a yellow card which is like an international certificate of vaccination or medical passport.

The Yellow Fever section of the certificate is probably the most important part. If you aren’t going to or coming from countries where Yellow Fever is endemic (areas of Africa and South America), then you may not need one. Check with your doctor (or other websites such as the WHO or CDC) about this.

If you are travelling with your dog, then you may have to get a rabies vaccination certificate.  You can get these from a licensed veterinarian and should include the registration number and a professional stamp, as well as the serial number, duration, type of vaccine used,  and the dog’s color, weight, and so on.