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.

Food poisoning

No matter where you travel, you cannot guarantee that the standards of hygiene and sanitation will be maintained at their optimum level. In some places, particularly hot countries, there is a greater risk of food poisoning caused by inadequate refrigeration or water contamination. So, unless you are sure, it is wise to avoid consuming any of the following while abroad:

tap water and ice cubes
fruit juice ,particularly if it is bought from a street vendor
ice cream
shellfish
any food containing eggs
salads
raw, or undercooked, meat
peeled fruit
mayonnaise
sauces

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

sealed bottled water from a recognisable brand
cooked food ? as long as it is piping hot
sealed or canned food
freshly baked bread
fruit which has not been peeled or chopped
hot drinks
alcoholic drinks

Sunburn and heatstroke

Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more and apply at least half an hour before you go out in the sun. Those with particularly fair skin, or children, should opt for an SPF of 40. Reapply every few hours throughout the day to ensure coverage is maintained.

Wear sunscreen at all times ? even on cloudy days, as UVA and UVB rays are not stopped by cloud or fog. You should also wear sunscreen when swimming ? as the suns rays can penetrate through even a metre of water, and always reapply after a swim.

Try to cover up with clothing, especially during the sun's strongest hours of 12pm to 3pm. A hat is a must, as sunburn to the head can be particularly dangerous. Tightly woven fabrics offer better protection than loose fabrics too.

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. You can buy ready made kits from pharmacies that include all of the above, plus sealed and sterilised needles, syringes, and stitches as a precaution against having to use potentially unsanitary equipment in a country where the safety of emergency medical equipment is not guaranteed.