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Safe Food for Travellers
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When you travel, be it for pleasure, business or any other reason, contaminated food and drink are often a serious threat to health. In particular, diarrhea affects a great number of travelers. Physical pain and discomfort, along with the problem of finding suitable medical treatment, especially when there are language barriers, can spoil your entire stay away from home.

This leaflet gives some practical advice and basic hints on how to eat safely, and what to do if you get diarrhea.

Observation of the advice given in this leaflet is of particular importance for vulnerable groups, i.e. infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with impaired immune systems.

 

 

Before leaving home

bulletConsult your physician for advice on the various diseases to which you may be exposed, and the need for vaccinations or other preventive measures.
bulletMake sure your medical kit contains Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and a water-disinfectant agent.

 

Eating safely

The following recommendations apply to all situations, from food vendors on the street to expensive hotel restaurants:
bulletCooked food that has been held at room temperature for several hours constitutes one of the greatest risks of foodborne illness. Make sure your food has been thoroughly cooked and is still hot when served.
bulletAvoid any uncooked food, apart from fruits and vegetables that can be peeled or shelled. Avoid fruits with damaged skin. Remember the dictum "Cook it, peel it or leave it".
bulletDishes containing raw or undercooked eggs, such as home-made mayonnaise, some sauces (e.g. hollandaise sauce) and some desserts (e.g. mousses) may be dangerous.
bulletIce cream from unreliable sources is frequently contaminated and can cause illness. If in doubt avoid it.
bulletIn some countries, certain species of fish and shellfish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when they are well cooked. Local people can advise you about this.
bulletUnpasteurized milk should be boiled before consumption.
bulletWhen the safety of drinking-water is doubtful, have it boiled, or if this is not possible, disinfect it with a reliable, slow-release, disinfectant agent, that are generally available in pharmacies.
bulletAvoid ice unless you are sure that it is made from safe water.
bulletBeverages such as hot tea or coffee, wine, beer, and carbonated soft drinks or fruit juices which are either bottled or otherwise packaged are usually safe to drink.

What to do if you get diarrhea

bulletMost diarrheal attacks are self-limiting and clear up in a few days. The important thing is to avoid becoming dehydrated.
bulletAs soon as diarrhea starts, drink more fluids, such as bottled, boiled or treated water, or weak tea. Fruit juice (diluted with safe water) or soup may also be taken. If diarrhea continues for more than one day, prepare and drink ORS solution and continue to eat normally.

AMOUNTS OF FLUID OR ORS TO DRINK:
bulletChildren less than 2 years: 1/4 - 1/2cup (50 - 100ml) after each loose stool
bullet2 years to 10 years: 1/2 - 1 cup (100 - 200ml) after each loose stool
bulletOlder children and adults: unlimited amount

SEEK MEDICAL HELP IF:

Diarrhea

bulletWhen there is no medical help available and there is blood in the stools, a course (5 days) of cotrimoxazole may be taken.
bulletProphylactic use of antibiotics is not recommended. Antidiarrheals (e.g. loperamide) are not recommended but may be used, in addition to fluids, by adults only, for symptomatic relief. They should never be used for children.
bulletIf there are other symptoms, seek medical advice.

 

If ORS are not available, mix 6 level teaspoons of sugar plus 1 level teaspoon of salt in one liter of safe water. Drink this as indicated above for ORS.

Dosage for cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole):
bulletFor adults: 160 mg of trimethoprim and 800 mg of suffamethoxazole, twice a day, for 5 days
bulletFor children: 5 mg of trimethoprim and 25 mg of suffamethoxazole per kg of body weight, twice a day, for 5 days.

logowho.gif (5056 bytes) Source: World Health Organization

 

 

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