Consult with your family physician before international travel. According to a recent study conducted by the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, less than 50 percent of international travelers heading to resource-limited destinations sought medical advice before traveling. Depending on your destination, your doctor could advise you to take disease treatment supplies such as an antibiotic for travelers' diarrhea, water purification tablets, and oral re-hydration salts. "Far too many people don't seek medical advice before they travel," says the study's lead author Dr. Regina LaRocque.
Drink water that is bottled and has an unbroken seal. Avoid tap water, ice and fountain drinks in case the water supply for these products is contaminated. Canned carbonated beverages are safe to drink as is water that has been boiled for over one minute and treated with two drops of bleach. Boiled water may also be treated with one iodine tablet for every two liters of water. Remember to use bottled or treated water for brushing your teeth, washing your dishes and preparing your food.
Consume only cooked food served hot and foods that are packaged and sealed. Do not eat raw food or undercooked meats. Other foods to avoid include seafood, leafy greens and peeled fruits and vegetables. "Foods should be cooked well and eaten hot," advises Dr. LaRocque.
Wash your hands often with soap and clean water, especially before and after using the restroom, and preparing and consuming meals. If clean water is not available for hand-washing, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner containing at least 60% alcohol. "Soap can't cure cholera, but it can help prevent the spread of the disease," says Shawn Seipler, executive director of Clean the World.
Monitor the CDC travelers' health web-page for updates and advisories.
