When we began our travels almost 12 years ago, we visited a travel clinic associated with our health plan in Minnesota. Not only did we receive many vaccinations (not necessary in many cases for short-term travelers), but our primary care doctor also gave us prescriptions, all of which we had filled out. We included copies of the prescriptions in our luggage to confirm we had received these prescriptions legally.
On another note, we have never been asked to produce copies of prescriptions in those 12 years. However, years ago, our supply of supplements/vitamins was questioned when we were traveling from Belize on a cruise. We had to produce receipts, which we would do by researching our online purchases, and 24 hours later, our supplements were returned to us. Go figure.
One of the most important prescriptions a traveler can bring is antibiotics in the event of gastrointestinal distress, such as vacation diarrhea. Vacation diarrhea is common when travelers drink non-bottled water and eat washed fruits and vegetables. Bottle water is available in every location we’ve visited, but it must have a sealed cap and preferably a familiar brand name. Also, do not eat foods washed in unsanitary tap water, such as fruit without a peel, lettuce, grapes, cherries, and berries.
Unsanitary tap water is common in many countries, even in some locations in the US. It’s also imperative to ask if the tap water has undergone a sterilization process such as reverse osmosis. Most larger hotels have purified water, but we always use bottled water to brush our teeth since some won’t sanitize bathroom water.
However, most camps and resorts do not have a process of sanitizing their water, and tap water served at the table in restaurants is unsafe to drink. Be careful of juices they may make using tap water, and avoid all raw fruits and vegetables, except for bananas, oranges, and grapefruit you may peel yourself. Apples, pineapple, melons, lemons, and limes may be unsafe in your drink. As mentioned above, salad vegetables are a no-no.
What can you drink with less concern? Brand-name beer and soda are served in the bottle that you open. Make sure to wipe the cap carefully or use a food-grade wipe to clean it. Often, bottled beverages are kept cold in bins of water and ice. Yes, it’s unsafe to use ice in your drinks. Bottle wine is generally safe. Most types of liquor are suitable for consumption; however, if you usually drink your chosen liquor with water, only use sealed bottled water.
What about drinks like Mai Tais, Margaritas, and fruity-flavored drinks? I would also avoid those when water may have been used in preparing such cocktails. Often, the language barrier makes it difficult to ensure sanitation processes are utilized. Instead, avoid any possible scenarios.
When should you start taking antibiotics once you get diarrhea? Ask your travel clinic or doctor this question in advance. They may say right away or to wait 24 hours or longer to see if it improves. But for most travelers, a day or two is too long to suffer when they long to continue with their plans.
It’s easy to let other, more experienced travelers or locals dismiss your precautions as unnecessary. But do not let anyone discourage you from being cautious. Locals and other long-term travelers may have developed an immunity to the toxins in water and food.
Even after spending over four years in Africa, we never used tap water. However, in some circumstances, such as dining at a Jabula, we would always eat the salad. This may not be the case in other restaurants in the bush; in those cases, we ate cooked food.
Traveling has a lot of challenges, but doing so can enrich our lives in ways that nothing else can compare. We can’t wait to get back “on the road again.”
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, August 13, 2014:
