Malaria
You can reduce your risk of getting malaria and other insect-borne diseases by using insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers whenever possible. Insect repellents that contain diethyltoluamide (DEET) are the most effective.
If you are visiting a malaria-infected region (see Travel health - risks), your GP can tell you which anti-malarial medication is most suitable for you. Make an appointment with your GP as soon as you know which countries you will be visiting as some anti-malarial medication needs to be taken several weeks before you leave the UK.
Protection against malaria cannot be guaranteed and some strains of the disease have become resistant to medication. Tell your GP as soon as possible if you develop a fever or an unexplained illness while you are away or up to three months after your return.
See the Health A-Z topic about Malaria - prevention for more information and advice.
HIV and AIDS
The best way to avoid getting HIV and AIDS is to always use a condom when having sex, including anal and oral sex. In some parts of the world, locally produced condoms may not be as reliable as the ones available in the UK, so take your own supply.
See the Health A-Z topic about HIV and AIDS - prevention for more information.
Sunburn and heatstroke
Ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB rays) is radiated by the sun. The ozone layer filters out most of the harmful UVA and UVB rays before they reach earth, but some rays are still able to get through and can cause skin damage. It is very important to take precautions when travelling to hot climates.
Some useful tips for avoiding sunburn are listed below:
- Do not wait until your skin feels uncomfortable before taking preventative action. Defence is the best form of protection. Once your skin is burnt, the damage has already been done, so cover up with loose-fitting clothes. Make sure your legs and arms are covered. Tightly woven fabrics provide the best protection from the sun.
- Avoid direct exposure to sunlight when the sun is at its strongest. Remember that the sun can be strong during the early and late part of the day, so you still need to take adequate precautions if you go out in the sun in the morning or evening. Cover your arms and legs with clothes, wear a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of good-quality sunglasses, and apply plenty of sun lotion with the right skin protection factor (SPF) for your skin type.
- Always use a sun protection lotion with an SPF of at least 15. If you have very fair skin, use lotions with an SPF of up to 40. This is also the case for children, whose skin is very sensitive. Most skin damage caused by the sun occurs before the age of 18.
- Make sure that your entire body is covered by sun protection lotion. This includes your face, hands, feet and neck. The most vulnerable parts of your body are those that are not usually exposed to sunlight.
- Apply sun lotion at least 30 minutes before you go out in the sun. Reapply it every couple of hours because sweat and contact with clothing and towels will cause it to wear off. Reapply sun lotion immediately after swimming, even if your lotion is waterproof. Use waterproof sun lotion while swimming because UVA and UVB rays can penetrate through about a metre of water.
- Cloud and fog do not protect skin from ultraviolet rays. Cover up with clothing and use SPF 15 sun lotion, even on cloudy days.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses that have UVA and UVB filters when you are in the sun. Ultraviolet rays can damage the retinas in your eyes, causing cataracts.
- Drink plenty of fluids, particularly after exercise. Isotonic drinks that replace the salt lost through sweating are ideal, but water is also sufficient. Avoid drinking alcoholic drinks when you are out in the sun.
Keep a careful eye on any moles on your body and visit your GP if you notice any changes in their appearance. Signs to look out for are darkening of the mole, an increase in size, ragged edges, multiple colours within the mole, itchiness, redness and swelling or bleeding.
For more information, see the Health A-Z topics on Sunburn - prevention and Heatstroke - prevention.
Travellers’ diarrhoea
If you are travelling in a country that has low standards of public hygiene and there is a risk of water contamination, such as in some African and Asian countries, avoid the following food and drink as they could trigger travellers’ diarrhoea:
- tap water
- fruit juice (if sold by a street vendor)
- ice cream and ice cubes
- shellfish
- eggs
- salads
- raw or undercooked meat
- peeled fruit
- mayonnaise
- sauces
Food and drink that are generally safe to eat include:
- sealed bottled water that is produced by a recognised international manufacturer
- cooked food, such as soup or stir-fry
- canned food or food in sealed packs
- fresh bread
- unpeeled fruit
- tea and coffee
- alcohol
See the Health A-Z topic about Travellers' diarrhoea - prevention for more information and advice.
