Keeping safe on holiday - health

Cover up as much as you can. Although this might not seem the most obvious thing to do in a hot country, light clothes can actually help you to keep cool in hot conditions, in addition to preventing insect stings.

It is important to take some kind of preventative anti-malaria medicine if you are going to be visiting a region that is known to have malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Some drugs need to be taken as early as three weeks before travelling to be effective, so talk to your GP as soon as you have your travel plans in place.

Unfortunately, some strains of malaria are completely resistant to all forms of preventative medicine, so it is important that you seek medical assistance as soon as you develop a fever, or an unexpected illness, while you are away. Even if the symptoms do not show until a few months after your return home, it is still important to inform your GP, as it could be something that you caught abroad.

Food poisoning

Hygiene and sanitary standards can vary widely from country to country and from even from one restaurant or bar to another. This problem can be particularly bad in less developed countries, or in hot climates when food is left lying out. Unless you have information to the contrary, it is a good idea to steer clear of the following on holiday:

water from the tap, including ice cubes
fruit juice ,particularly if it is bought from a street vendor
ice cream
shellfish
any food containing eggs
salads
raw, or undercooked, meat
peeled fruit
mayonnaise
sauces

First aid

It is a good idea to take an emergency first aid kit with you when you go abroad. This should include plasters, insect repellent, antiseptic cream, and tablets for water purification. You can buy ready made kits from pharmacies that include all of the above, plus sealed and sterilised needles, syringes, and stitches for use in countries where the safety of emergency medical equipment is not guaranteed.