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What's New:
- Avoiding Insect Bites
Many tropical diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus, L
- Websites
Some of the following links are on other pages of this website. I have brought them all together on
- Books
Below is a list of just some of the books that I have bought and found useful on my travels. I usua
- Suppliers
Links to the suppliers of the travel gear I use and recommend can be found through out this site. He
- Miscellaneous
Waterproof bags Used to separate and keep various items dry in your bag. Good for keeping valuables
 The Medical pages list the various diseases and vaccinations available. This section gives information on where and when to get them, how long they last, whether you need boosters, possible side-effects, and so on.
Don’t rely on the information given below. Try to get to a specialist travel clinic, or seek advice from a qualified professional.
Some clinics will give you a free consulation, other charge a fee (usually refunded if you then have the vaccinations at the clinic).
In the UK you can get vaccinations from your GP (usually for free), or go to one of the specialist [...]
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 Common problems that travellers encounter, such as stomach upsets and those from insect bites, can be prevented by taking simple precautions.
These include such things as good hygiene and safe food preparation practices, drinking (and using) only treated or clean water, avoiding being bitten by various insects and worms, and getting vaccinated and taking pills to prevent diseases.
Clean water and water treatment
Everyone needs a minimum of about two and a half litres or just over half a gallon of clean water a day. In hot climates while doing things like carrying a backpack, hiking or just walking [...]
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 Diphtheria
Found – rare in developed countries due to vaccination, but is still endemic in developing countries and the former states of the USSR.
Vaccine is recommended for those who will be in close contact with infected people in endemic areas.
Cause – a disease of close contact, a bacterial illness transmitted through droplets in the air.
Symptoms – sore throat and fever. Can be life-threatening.
Prevention – by updating your diphtheria vaccine.
Tetanus
Found – rare in developed countries due to vaccination.
Prevention – by the tetanus vaccine. A booster is recommended every ten years, perhaps even every five years for developing world [...]
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 These include the usual ones you would get at home, colds, sore throats, and other infections. Take proper medications, or try to get access to good medical care whilst abroad.
Jet lag
Cause – crossing many time zones in a short space of time.
Symptoms – disorientation, tiredness, and irritability for several days after a long journey.
Treatment – take time to become oriented to the local time and climate when you arrive. Outdoor activity and exercise can help. Some take Melatonin or a short-acting sleeping pill. Afternoon naps can help also.
Prevention – rest well before leaving home. [...]
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 Some problems with the cold aren’t necessarily associated with cold temperatures, for example, hypothermia.
Hypothermia
Cause – a life-threatening condition defined as body temperature below 95 F (35 C).
Temperatures do not have to be extreme to cause hypothermia, since water and wind can combine to rapidly chill a person. Most deaths from hypothermia occur in well-above freezing temperatures.
Symptoms – a pale, drowsy, confused, and cold victim. She may become unconscious.
Treatment – consists of seeking immediate medical help and warming the victim. Warm drinks are effective, as well as hats, blankets, emergency aluminum blankets which reflect body heat, and, [...]
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 The sun is very intense in the tropics and at higher elevation. For every 5000 feet (1500 meters) in altitude gain, UVB radiation increases by twenty percent.
Travellers should wear a hat with at least a three-inch brim all around, and use sunblock with a sun protection factor of at least fifteen.
Wear sunglasses with ninety-nine percent UVA/UVB protection, and protective goggles are a must for preventing snowblindness at altitude.
Heat and humidity
Unacclimated travellers run a risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke if they try to do too much, too soon. Also, pricky heat may be a problem.
If [...]
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Infected wounds