Alright, so I’m gonna spill the beans on how I managed to stay relatively healthy during my trips to a few, let’s just say, “less developed” countries. It wasn’t always pretty, but hey, I’m still here to tell the tale!
First things first, I did my homework. Way before even thinking about packing, I hit the internet hard. I was looking into the specific health risks of each country I was planning to visit. We’re talking diseases, food safety, water quality – the whole shebang. Websites like the CDC and WHO became my best friends.
Then, I scheduled a visit to my doctor. I told him about my travel plans and we discussed necessary vaccinations and medications. I got shots for things like typhoid, hepatitis A, and yellow fever depending on where I was going. I also got a prescription for traveler’s diarrhea – trust me, you don’t want to be caught without that.
Next up was the fun part: packing my health kit. This was crucial. Here’s what I always include:
- Hand sanitizer (the good stuff, with at least 60% alcohol)
- Wet wipes
- Insect repellent (DEET is your friend)
- Sunscreen (high SPF, broad spectrum)
- Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
- Antihistamines (for allergies)
- Band-aids and antiseptic wipes
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Motion sickness pills (if you’re prone to that)
- Any personal prescription medications
Okay, so I arrived. Now the real challenge began. The biggest rule I followed? “When in doubt, don’t.” I’m talking about food and water. I only drank bottled water, and I made sure the seal was intact. I even used bottled water to brush my teeth. No ice in drinks, ever. As for food, I stuck to restaurants that looked clean and were busy (a good sign the food is fresh). I avoided street food unless I could see it being cooked fresh right in front of me, and even then, I was cautious. I made sure meat was thoroughly cooked and avoided raw vegetables or salads that might have been washed in local water.
I also washed my hands constantly. Seriously, all the time. Before eating, after touching anything remotely questionable, after using the bathroom – you name it. Hand sanitizer was my constant companion.
Another thing I focused on was bug bite prevention. I wore long sleeves and pants in the evenings, especially in areas with lots of mosquitoes. I sprayed myself with insect repellent religiously. I also made sure my accommodation had mosquito nets, and I used them.
And let’s not forget about being careful with what I touched. I tried to avoid touching public surfaces as much as possible. If I had to, I used a tissue or wiped my hands with a wet wipe afterwards.
Honestly, it wasn’t always easy. There were times when I was starving and the only food available was questionable. There were times when I got bitten by mosquitoes despite my best efforts. And there was one time when I did get a mild case of traveler’s diarrhea (thankfully, I had the medication!).
But overall, I managed to stay pretty healthy by being prepared, being cautious, and listening to my gut. It’s all about minimizing risks and taking care of yourself. So, if you’re planning a trip to a third-world country, remember to do your research, pack your health kit, and be smart about food, water, and hygiene. Good luck and safe travels!
