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1. Get your shots. I spent a short time in areas relatively free of mosquito-borne disease. The key word is relatively. A two week holiday in an urban area is probably alright. If youre staying for months, or in an area flagged as dangerous, get your shots well in advance. Dont leave it until the last minute, as by then itll be too late! The drugs need some time to kick in, and your doctor may have to order them in advance. 2. Get an insect repellent. I made one for mosquitoes by mixing citronella with olive oil. Citronella is an essential oil (an essence). I rubbed the mixture on all exposed areas morning and night, and after washing. Seemed to do the trick. I put too much oil in, I think, so it smelled a bit. Better that, than being bitten, I say! 3. Wear long sleeved shirts and trousers. I also wore socks in bed. Give pests no purchase! Mosquitoes are just doing what comes naturally; they need your blood to live. Its just unfortunate that they can pass on parasites when they bite. Deny them a meal, and the only things youll bring back from your holiday are a silly hat and some souvenir photos. To wear long sleeved garments in bed, youll need a room with a fan and air conditioning. No need to set them to freezing; just cool, with a slight breeze. 4. Air conditioning. Air conditioning and fans are supposed to deflect mosquitoes, which is good. Avoid going native, and thinking youre as hardy as the locals. They get malaria and dengue as well, be sure of that. 5. Use mosquito nets. Do what you can to keep them at bay. Paranoia is good! 6. Avoid ice and salads Ice can have faecal coliforms. It depends on what water its been made from. Salads can be prepared by low-paid workers whove forgotten to wash their hands. In Muslim countries, they often dont use toilet paper, just a hose, so if the staff havent been scrupulous about their personal hygiene ... You may feel self-conscious about refusing. Would you like your holiday to be spoiled by a spell in hospital, in a Third-world country, just for the sake of avoiding embarrassment? People like people who are forthright, so stick to your guns. 7. Dont drink the water. A country can have a veneer of modernity, but what separates the men from the boys is the sewage system. The tap water may not be filtered properly. Drink bottled water, or water youve boiled yourself. Get a kettle, and boil it up every day, then put the water in your water bottle in the morning. Easy. 8. Drink plenty of water. A few sips every so often, rather than a litre in one go. Youll save on trips to the lavatory! 9. Stay out of the sun. Theres a reason the locals are laid back; its too hot to run around like you do at home. Sun tanning is actually skin damage. Due to ozone layer depletion, you may be getting more than a golden tan. Who cares if you dont come back home bronzed? Ladies especially will appreciate this in later years, when their sisters have leathery skin from roasting on the beach. Nothing less cool than a white man with sunstroke, either. When travelling in the tropics, its best to be paranoid. I hope you can still enjoy your holiday! |
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