Preventing illness and injury while travelling and how to deal with them if they do occur.
8
votes
2answers
125 views
Water Tests during Travelling?
Bicycle.SE has a question about water safety during touring, long distance travelling with bike. It is specific to bicycles. This question is specific to touring but particularly to travelling in ...
9
votes
1answer
302 views
Is it safe to drink bubble tea in Hong Kong?
I love bubble tea and I've seen it many places for sale while walking through Hong Kong.
I've read mixed reviews on the safety of Hong Kong's tap water supply, and so I am wondering whether this is ...
2
votes
1answer
34 views
Do I need to have gone to travel clinic before applying for Brazil Visa (visa type 1)?
I haven't been to any of the listed places that require a Yellow fever vaccination. So do I need to show proof of visiting a travel clinic to apply for my visa? The website of the Chicago consulate ...
19
votes
6answers
490 views
Preventing sea sickness?
I come from a land locked place (in Canada) where there are no oceans around and just lakes. Whenever I go on a boat in a lake in Canada, I never get seasick and I feel fine. Sometimes when I come to ...
8
votes
7answers
890 views
Drinking tap water in India
I ordered SteriPEN before I started my India trip but unfortunately it didn't arrive in time. I'm only drinking bottled water here but am interested whether tap water in train stations and some ...
2
votes
3answers
54 views
Travel insurance to USA [duplicate]
I am planning to travel to USA for a short stay, around 2 months. I think it will be better to buy a little travel insurance in case I feel sick or anything. However, I have no idea about where to buy ...
11
votes
3answers
556 views
Is it safe to drink tap water in Morocco?
Over the next week I'm travelling around in Morocco and I wonder whether buying bottled water is essential or tap water is safe enough to drink. According to the Wikitravel entry:
As a rule, do ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Should I avoid Shanghai because of N7H9?
I am currently in Beijing and will be catching a train to Shanghai in about 12 hours.
Here in Beijing the news about the N7H9 deaths are everywhere and some people advice me to try to avoid Shanghai ...
19
votes
7answers
3k views
How does one recover from a (personal) disaster while abroad, travel-wise?
I was watching the Bond flick Die Another Day last night. In it, Bond ends up in terrible shape, but manages to escape to the shores of Hong Kong, where he strolls into the lobby of a swanky hotel, is ...
6
votes
1answer
107 views
Biking tour in Russia
I am from Turkey and planning a bike tour in Russia and in Ukraine. I'll ride from Sochi to Yalta by using the Sochi - Anapa - Rostov on Don - Mariupol - Yalta destination. Is this route secure and ...
2
votes
2answers
62 views
Do I need a vaccine for the Meningitis to go to Peru?
I'm going to Peru, and maybe Bolivia and Chile in April. I've been suggested to do a Meningitis vaccine. Is it recommended ? I come from Europe.
5
votes
3answers
131 views
Do official health agencies recommend getting the “Japanese Brain Fever” vaccine for travel to Japan?
I will be spending four weeks in Japan, visiting all of the "main islands" except for Hokkaido. Some of the activities would be hiking across the woods and mountains as well.
The vaccine is for ...
12
votes
2answers
161 views
How to choose a good travel insurance policy?
When looking for travel insurance, there is a dizzying array of companies, policies, plans, restrictions, and conditions. What should a short-term traveler look for in an insurance plan? What things ...
7
votes
1answer
181 views
What is the difference between primary coverage and secondary coverage on a travel insurance policy?
What is the difference between primary coverage and secondary coverage on a travel insurance policy? Which is recommended for short-term travelers?
6
votes
2answers
935 views
What is the average cost of a medical evacuation?
Many travel insurance plans include coverage for medical evacuation to privately transport you to your home country if you get seriously ill while abroad. What does this type of evacuation generally ...
43
votes
6answers
1k views
How can I avoid or minimize jet lag?
From my personal anecdotal experience, I've found it worse when travelling east around the globe. I also tend to stay awake most if not all of the flight, so sleeping time doesn't tend to matter as ...
9
votes
1answer
254 views
Are flights more dangerous than bus rides?
It is usually known, that during long-haul flights some measurements must be taken to avoid veins clots. Eg.: stand up and walk once a while or take a antithrombotic shot before flight.
Yet I never ...
0
votes
0answers
126 views
Techniques to prevent eye pressure buildup and bleeding through eyes when snorkeling and scuba diving? [closed]
I know of techniques to prevent and relieve ear pressure buildup (or more precisely, ways to equalize Eustachian tube pressure with the outside pressure). But how about techniques to relieve or even ...
11
votes
3answers
344 views
To how much radiation are you exposed on a transcontinental flight?
You often hear people object to being scanned because of the "radiation" argument. I find this always quite amusing from people just being exposed to higher radiation levels during the average ...
0
votes
2answers
81 views
Is it necessary to buy travel health insurance for my trip to South America? [closed]
I'm going to travel in South America (Peru, Bolivia & Chile) for a month. Is travel health insurance necessary / a requirement?
I mean those kind of insurances for emergencies, so that if I ...
30
votes
5answers
765 views
Is it safe to travel in Japan considering the nuclear situation?
Are there any areas that should be avoided and are there any steps I should take to protect myself from radiation?
10
votes
1answer
427 views
How can I visit Chernobyl?
I have heard that it's possible to visit Chernobyl as a tourist (and some questions here on Travel bear this out, asking if it's safe to do so.)
I'd like to visit it. What do I need to know to do so ...
11
votes
3answers
257 views
Is MSG prevelent in Malaysian food?
I've got a trip up-coming to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Yay! But I have a severe allergy to monosodium glutamate (MSG). Boo! It triggers severe migraines so I normally avoid it at all costs, but that's ...
10
votes
3answers
193 views
What first aid material and medicines are absolutely essential when traveling?
When you arrive into a new place / city country / etc. it can be difficult to find some essential goods. Everything is new. First aid material and medicines are sometimes forgotten when planning a ...
4
votes
3answers
77 views
How well are allergies understood in Bhutan?
I have oral allergy syndrome and I'm going to be traveling to Bhutan in fall. I've encountered a very wide range of attitudes towards allergies in different countries, from totally getting it to ...
12
votes
5answers
2k views
Is it necessary to take malaria pills when travelling in South India?
Sources seem to differ on what precautions are required. Is there an authoritative source I can check, or is it better to drug-up anyway (or not to)?
11
votes
1answer
175 views
Gluten-free eating in Peru
For travellers going to Peru, I imagine from what I've seen there that being gluten-intolerant (or even vegetarian) may be quite difficult.
Are there any local foods and meals readily available ...
7
votes
2answers
143 views
Is it important to wear a necklace with medical history for people with medical conditions while traveling?
Is it advised for people with chronic medical condition (diabetes, asthma, allergies, etc.) to wear necklaces with medical history when travelling? Is it a worldwide thing to check people's necklaces ...
12
votes
4answers
422 views
Claustrophobic - travelling for the first time long RSA to USA
I am trying my best to prepare for my upcoming flight to the USA, the trip is all under control, its just the flight that I'm terrified of. I am very claustrophobic and do not even ride in elevators, ...
23
votes
2answers
1k views
How to vomit during a flight?
Last time I travelled I wasn't feeling quite well just before boarding the plane. I either had eaten something wrong or a flu just appeared. The thought of having to vomit during the flight made me ...
10
votes
1answer
149 views
Can a pregnant woman travel on a cruise ship without restriction?
Are there any laws or regulations that forbid pregnant women from participating on a cruise? Or does this vary from organization to organization. If so, are there any common rules?
6
votes
2answers
81 views
What extra benefits are there in getting travel insurance if I have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
I've got a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and only plan to travel around the EU for the foreseeable future. I read another answer that quite nicely covered the details of what the EHIC covers, ...
12
votes
1answer
87 views
Taking large amounts of strong medications on holiday
Not quite narcotics, but not far off. I'm hoping to go on holiday soon with someone that suffers from major depression and anxiety. She's on a daily dose of a strong anti-psychotic (not quite ...
9
votes
2answers
119 views
Can I get vaccinated in another country?
I am planning a trip to Asia with no ending date or 100% certain plan on which countries I will visit. There is also a chance I will continue to North America and Europe depending on how things go.
...
10
votes
3answers
774 views
How should I schedule my medication when traveling through multiple time zones?
Suppose that I have to take some medication three times a day. One in the morning, one at lunch and one during dinner. Now when I take a plane to go to vacation and cross multiple time zones, how ...
24
votes
7answers
2k views
How to prevent “Delhi Belly”?
Montezuma's revenge, Aztec two step, mummy's tummy, or Cairo two-step in Egypt, Kurtz Hurtz in Uzbekistan, Bombay belly or Delhi belly in India.
A case of the sh-- or Hershey Squirts or The McSh-- in ...
19
votes
6answers
13k views
Best way to make my ears pop?
What is the best way to make my ears pop when landing on a plane? The hold-your-nose-and-pitch method is very painful; are there any other methods to pop ears?
63
votes
8answers
6k views
How to avoid drinking vodka?
This summer I spent some days in Moscow and St. Petersburg. There I also visited a friend at his home. We were there with its family and traditional they drunk a lot of vodka during the meal. We as ...
6
votes
3answers
100 views
Is there an effective insect repellent than can be used indoors?
When I travel, I find myself getting bitten by mosquitoes not when I'm outside hiking, but when I'm inside eating or relaxing or otherwise sitting still. All the recommended insect repellents I've ...
16
votes
2answers
262 views
Do infants need their own seats on long flights?
What is the best way to approach a long (8+ hours) flight with a young child (1-2 years old)?
It seems I am not required to purchase a seat for a child under two years of age which would save some ...
12
votes
1answer
174 views
What happens if you become seriously ill during a flight?
I've read about people getting sick on-board a flight (or worse) - say a heart attack, or choking, or seizures or something that really requires urgent medical attention that isn't available from the ...
9
votes
1answer
194 views
Some travel forms ask if I've visited Africa recently. What restrictions might I encounter due to my travel to Africa?
I know that I may be ineligible to donate blood (in the United States, at least) for a certain period of time after travelling to Africa (from my research, mainly because of presence of malaria, but ...
9
votes
1answer
130 views
Do I need to take any precautions regarding smog when travelling?
Recently, Beijing had issues with severe smog.
I understand that too much smog can be unhealthy, but also that the likelihood of possible damage is probably related with the exposure time. For ...
13
votes
5answers
846 views
When visiting urban areas in Australia, do I need to be worried about deadly insects / animals?
Australia is known to have more than its fair share of deadly insects and animals. These would obviously be a concern when, say, you're off in the wilderness but is there any reason to be worried ...
10
votes
1answer
295 views
Are there any tours or opportunities available to the public where one can see Cherenkov Radiation?
Cherenkov Radiation (in my layman's understanding) is a blue light that appears when particles with an electric charge go through a medium faster than the speed of light in that medium.
I regularly ...
16
votes
4answers
4k views
What are safe uses of non-potable water?
While traveling, you come across many different levels of water safety. In some countries you can drink the tap water, and in others you should avoid it at all costs.
Where do you draw the line when ...
10
votes
2answers
280 views
Traveling with the need for kidney dialysis
A friend of mine needs regular kidney dialysis. Nevertheless, he loves to travel. However, during the last years, he wasn't on holidays, because of the regular need to go to a clinic for the dialysis.
...
8
votes
1answer
63 views
I am travelling to Austria for 6 months, is there any travel/health insurance I could get if I have a European (Spanish) passport?
I'm a 25 year old Uruguayan who will be living in Austria for 3 to 6 months. I have a European passport/nationality (Spanish).
I am in the process of getting health/travel insurance here, but all the ...
6
votes
1answer
82 views
Can I take motion sickness drugs with me that contain dimenhydratine, or can it be bought at the destination?
I have moderate motion sickness, especially in non-climatised buses, and the drugs that are working very well for me are those containing dimenhydratine.
Is this substance legal in Georgia? Can I ...
10
votes
1answer
152 views
Are anti-influenza drugs containing pseudoephedrine legal in Georgia?
Are the drugs against influenza, that contains pseudoephedrine, legal in Georgia? Can I put them into my travel first-aid kit when traveling by plane?
This drugs have worked very well for me when ...
