Backpacking

Backpacking trips often entail months away from home, visiting developing countries and staying in quite basic accommodation. These trips require some careful pre-travel planning in order to safeguard your health.

• Seek advice about travel vaccines/malaria tablets well in advance. Many vaccines require a course. Factor the cost of the vaccines/malaria tablets into your expenses.
• Be aware of your malaria risk. Avoid mosquito bites with the use of an effective repellent on exposed skin. Biting insects can transmit many other diseases apart from malaria. Take an impregnated mosquito net as hostels don’t always have air conditioning. Check window and door screens for holes- keep some tape with you to block gaps big enough for mosquitoes to fit through. Don’t be tempted to stop taking your anti-malarial tablets just because other backpackers have.
• Food and water hygiene is especially important but it is possible to eat well on a budget. Ensure food is freshly cooked and served piping hot. If preparing food yourself peel or wash all fruit or vegetables. Drink treated or bottled water with intact seals. Consider taking a ‘travellers diarrhoea treatment kit’.
• Take a first aid kit which includes sterile equipment if travelling to remote areas. Keep a record of your blood group and consider joining the Blood Care Foundation. Get a dental check-up before leaving. Avoid having tattoos or piercing overseas- many blood borne infections can be transmitted via unsterile needles.
• Take out comprehensive travel/medical insurance that includes all activities. Accidents are the most common cause of death in young travellers. Road traffic accidents are common- always wear a seatbelt in cars and helmets on mopeds. Alcohol and recreational drugs are can be a major contributing factor in accidents. Be careful about swimming in unknown water.
• Having sex with a new partner abroad is risky. Condoms provide good protection. Take a supply with you- locally produced condoms may be of poor quality.
• Beware of buying medicines over the counter in Asia, S.America and Africa. Reports have shown that many antimalarials and antibiotics are counterfeits. Always go to a recognised clinic to replenish supplies.
• Be familiar with local customs, religious holidays and laws, and the politically unstable areas of the countries you are visiting. Let others know of your travel plans. Consider subscribing to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office free e-mail notification service which will alert you to any changes to the travel advice of the countries you are visiting.