Hygiene and sanitary standards can vary widely from country to country and from even from one restaurant or bar to another. In some places, particularly hot countries, there is a greater risk of food poisoning caused by inadequate refrigeration or water contamination.

It should be alright to consume any of the following, within reason:

bottled water, if the seal is not broken

cooked food ? as long as it is piping hot

food that comes in a sealed container such as a vacuum pack or tin

freshly baked bread

unpeeled fruit

hot drinks

alcohol

First aid

It is a good idea to take an emergency first aid kit with you when you go abroad. This should include plasters, insect repellent, antiseptic cream, and tablets for water purification. In addition, you might want to buy a kit from a pharmacy that includes sterile, sealed medical supplies such as syringes, stitches, and needles for use in countries where the safety of emergency medical equipment cannot be taken for granted.

Malaria, and other diseases spread by insect bites, can be common in some hot countries, so it pays to take steps to protect yourself from them. There are several ways in which you can prevent malaria from ruining your holiday:

Cover up as much as you can. Although this might not seem the most obvious thing to do in a hot country, covering up with light clothes can actually help to keep you cool and protect you from sunburn in hot weather, in addition to preventing insect stings.

Use insect repellent every time you head out in a hot country. Only use sprays that contain DEET (diethyltoluamide), as this chemical offers the greatest level of protection against mosquito bites. Even if you don't think that you are in any great risk of being stung, it's better to be safe than sorry, so make sure that you take a large amount with you when you go on holiday, and take a smaller bottle around with you on your travels, to top up your protection levels throughout the day.

If you are planning to visit a part of the world that is considered to be a malaria risk, you will also need to take some kind of preventative anti-malarial medicine. As soon as you know your travel itinerary, you should make an appointment with your doctor, as some anti-malarial drugs need to be taken up to a month before you travel to an affected country.

Not all forms of malaria can be prevented by anti-malarial drugs, so if you unexpectedly develop a fever or other symptoms, seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Even if the symptoms do not show until a few months after your return home, it is still important to inform your GP, as it could be something that you caught abroad.