Preventing illness and injury while travelling and how to deal with them if they do occur.
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 ...
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 ...
11
votes
1answer
200 views
Warfarin in Tajikistan
I've run into a major problem, requiring urgent Warfarin. However, am in Khorog, Tajikistan, and there's NONE in town, and the pharmacist at the hospital believes there to be none in the country, ...
30
votes
5answers
764 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?
13
votes
3answers
725 views
Avoiding air travel sickness without Dramamine/Dimenhydrinate or other drugs
My wife is very prone to motion sickness, especially on air flights. In the past we've handled this with Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate), which helped quite a bit.
Unfortunately, my wife's reaction to ...
24
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the signs of a bed bug infestation?
Bed bugs have become a real problem recently, with more and more places reporting outbreaks. What can you do to avoid being exposed to these nasty parasites?
If you do get exposed, what can you do ...
8
votes
5answers
1k views
What type of mosquito repellent is most effective?
There are many different kinds of insect repellents and bug sprays on the market: sprays and lotions, chemical and natural, huge percentages of DEET and lower percentages, etc.
What type of mosquito ...
19
votes
6answers
12k 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?
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
4answers
365 views
How can I translate medicines?
I know that if I have stomach issues I can take an Enterogermina or an Imodium if things get severe. I know that if I have throat ache, I can take a Benagol. I know that if I have a strong headache a ...
4
votes
4answers
769 views
Can I buy malaria medication in India?
In question 'Is it necessary to take malaria pills when travelling in South India?' we discussed whether it is necessary to take any medication. So if one has decided to take the pills, is it possible ...
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 ...
22
votes
4answers
1k views
Is travelling to Chernobyl safe for tourists?
Recently I read in my Lonely Planet and on some news site like for example this one, that the site of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe is open for tourists. There are also tour operators that offer ...
21
votes
4answers
5k views
Legalities and safety concerns of visiting prostitutes in Amsterdam
A friend of mine left his girlfriend after a long (~5 years) relationship. To cheer him up a little bit, we decided to go to Amsterdam, as they have liberal prostitution and drug consuming laws.
...
10
votes
4answers
291 views
How to avoid getting motion sickness?
My travel mate has a big problem when we are traveling together. He gets travel sick very fast. Obviously there are medicament which you can take to avoid it, but aren't there any other ways to avoid ...
18
votes
2answers
749 views
Dealing with the 'unclean hand' when travelling (if you're left-handed)
"Among Muslims, the left hand is reserved for bodily hygiene and
considered unclean. Thus, the right hand should be used for eating.
Shaking hands or handing over an item with one's left hand ...
16
votes
2answers
261 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
5answers
1k views
Why do I feel pressure in the ears in a plane?
Normally you feel pressure in your ear, if the air pressure changes, e.g. if you're ascending or descending very fast. But why do I feel this pressure also in airplanes where the pressure in the ...
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 ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views
How do you prepare for long haul flights?
I'm always feeling a bit unwell during and after long haul flights. I lose my appetite, can't sleep in the plane, food has no taste no matter what. However, I'm pretty sure it's not the flying itself, ...
10
votes
3answers
330 views
Any special way to mark penicillin allergy on my passport?
I'm allergic to penicillin, the antibiotic. I just got a new (European) passport. Is there some 'best practices'/common way to mark this allergy on my passport? I filled in the emergency contact & ...
9
votes
2answers
588 views
What happens if you get malaria?
This may be more of a health question than a travel question, but it definitely applies to travelers to many parts of the world. If someone gets malaria (either through not taking preventative pills ...
9
votes
2answers
155 views
Travel insurance with a Pre-Existing Condition
I have Ulcerative Collitis. It's not particularly bad. I'm trying to get travel insurance for 2 different holidays (one to the US and one to china/japan). Unfortuantly having ulcerative collitis means ...
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?
4
votes
2answers
296 views
Need malaria meds for Rajasthan in February?
Rajasthan appears to be relatively low risk for malaria in February, so should I take malaria meds while I'm there (for two weeks) or just try to avoid getting bitten? Obviously I'll use Deet and take ...
14
votes
3answers
1k views
Where in Thailand should I be cautious about malaria?
We have found a magnificent offer to go with our children to Thailand. It is a two week holiday starting in Bangkok going south ending at a beach resort. It all looks very promising.
A friend who is ...
13
votes
3answers
2k views
Is it safe to drink the tap water in Istanbul?
Is the water from the tap/faucet potable in Istanbul or must I buy bottled water? If not, what are the specific contaminants in it?
10
votes
1answer
422 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 ...
10
votes
5answers
359 views
Avoiding or minimising altitude sickness
From my personal anecdotal experience, I've seen firsthand some horror stories with altitude sickness. I will always tell people now to acclimatise, drink fluids, and follow the local tricks like ...
10
votes
3answers
356 views
How to cope with dry hands and cracking skin when travelling in cold locations?
So I'm from a pretty warm country, Australia but now I've spent my first month in cold Tbilisi Georgia and I lack the local know-how and intuition of how to cope with some aspects of cold winters. I ...
10
votes
4answers
342 views
What immunisations, if any, are required / recommended for Thailand?
A member of my family is headed to Thailand shortly (and I'm considering it as well, haha) and wondering what immunisations are required / recommended for that area?
8
votes
2answers
220 views
Getting nauseated from air travel, but it's *not* motion sickness…what to do?
My sister is not particularly inclined to air travel—she regularly throws up, and the feeling of nausea is evident well before motion sickness could occur (i.e. inside the terminal).
I suspect some ...
7
votes
1answer
211 views
What are the best ways to prevent and/or relieve sand fly bites?
Following on from the mosquito repellent question, I would like to ask about another insect which for me is much harder to deal with, sand flies.
Answering a recent question about Honduras brought ...
5
votes
4answers
810 views
How to find “night and day” decongestant for a head cold when there's a language barrier?
So I've been in Tbilisi, Georgia for almost a week and the temperature is now dropping below zero Celsius sometimes and I have the dubious honour of being the first in my hostel to contract a head ...
4
votes
1answer
579 views
Travel health insurance in Europe that does not require European Health Insurance Card
I was looking for a new travel insurance policy recently for travel within Europe and what I was never aware of is that many insurance policies require you to have an European Health Insurance Card ...
