Wherever you are in the world, be careful what you eat and drink. Food and water may be contaminated in a variety of ways – and that includes the water in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and the sea, so try not to swallow water when you are bathing.
Travelers’ diarrhea is very common, especially in hot countries. Travelers’ diarrhea, as well as diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A, can be caught from contaminated food and water.
BUT THEY CAN ALSO LARGELY BE AVOIDED BY TAKING SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS:
- Always wash your hands after going to the lavatory, before handling food, and before eating.
- If you have any doubts about the water available for drinking, washing food, or cleaning teeth; boil it, sterilize it with disinfectant tablets, or use bottled water – preferably carbonated with gas – in sealed containers.
- Avoid ice unless you are sure it is made from treated and chlorinated water. This includes ice used to keep food cool as well as ice in drinks.
- It is usually safe to drink hot tea or coffee, wine, beer, carbonated water and soft drinks, and packaged or bottled fruit juices.
- Eat freshly cooked food which is thoroughly cooked and still piping hot.
- Avoid food which has been kept warm.
- Avoid uncooked food, unless you can peel or shell it yourself.
- Avoid food likely to have been exposed to flies.
- Avoid ice cream from unreliable sources, such as kiosks or itinerant traders.
- Avoid – or boil – unpasteurized milk.
- Fish and shellfish can be suspect in some countries.
- Uncooked shellfish, such as oysters, are a particular hazard.
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