| I went on my first holiday to the tropics recently. I | | | | Do what you can to keep them at bay. Paranoia is |
| was afraid of catching disease, so I did a bit of | | | | good! |
| research, and took some precautions. Here are some | | | | 6. Avoid ice and salads |
| tips I found useful. | | | | Ice can have faecal coliforms. It depends on what |
| 1. Get your shots. | | | | water it's been made from. Salads can be prepared |
| I spent a short time in areas relatively free of | | | | by low-paid workers who've forgotten to wash their |
| mosquito-borne disease. The key word is 'relatively'. | | | | hands. In Muslim countries, they often don't use toilet |
| A two week holiday in an urban area is probably | | | | paper, just a hose, so if the staff haven't been |
| alright. If you're staying for months, or in an area | | | | scrupulous about their personal hygiene ... |
| flagged as dangerous, get your shots well in advance. | | | | You may feel self-conscious about refusing. Would |
| Don't leave it until the last minute, as by then it'll be | | | | you like your holiday to be spoiled by a spell in |
| too late! The drugs need some time to 'kick in', and | | | | hospital, in a Third-world country, just for the sake of |
| your doctor may have to order them in advance. | | | | avoiding embarrassment? People like people who are |
| 2. Get an insect repellent. | | | | forthright, so stick to your guns. |
| I made one for mosquitoes by mixing citronella with | | | | 7. Don't drink the water. |
| olive oil. Citronella is an essential oil (an essence). I | | | | A country can have a veneer of modernity, but |
| rubbed the mixture on all exposed areas morning and | | | | what separates the men from the boys is the |
| night, and after washing. Seemed to do the trick. I | | | | sewage system. The tap water may not be filtered |
| put too much oil in, I think, so it smelled a bit. Better | | | | properly. Drink bottled water, or water you've boiled |
| that, than being bitten, I say! | | | | yourself. Get a kettle, and boil it up every day, then |
| 3. Wear long sleeved shirts and trousers. | | | | put the water in your water bottle in the morning. |
| I also wore socks in bed. Give pests no purchase! | | | | Easy. |
| Mosquitoes are just doing what comes naturally; they | | | | 8. Drink plenty of water. |
| need your blood to live. It's just unfortunate that | | | | A few sips every so often, rather than a litre in one |
| they can pass on parasites when they bite. Deny | | | | go. You'll save on trips to the lavatory! |
| them a meal, and the only things you'll bring back | | | | 9. Stay out of the sun. |
| from your holiday are a silly hat and some souvenir | | | | There's a reason the locals are laid back; it's too hot |
| photos. To wear long sleeved garments in bed, you'll | | | | to run around like you do at home. Sun tanning is |
| need a room with a fan and air conditioning. No need | | | | actually skin damage. Due to ozone layer depletion, |
| to set them to freezing; just cool, with a slight | | | | you may be getting more than a golden tan. Who |
| breeze. | | | | cares if you don't come back home bronzed? Ladies |
| 4. Air conditioning. | | | | especially will appreciate this in later years, when their |
| Air conditioning and fans are supposed to deflect | | | | sisters have leathery skin from roasting on the beach. |
| mosquitoes, which is good. Avoid 'going native', and | | | | Nothing less 'cool' than a white man with sunstroke, |
| thinking you're as hardy as the locals. They get | | | | either. |
| malaria and dengue as well, be sure of that. | | | | When travelling in the tropics, it's best to be paranoid. |
| 5. Use mosquito nets. | | | | I hope you can still enjoy your holiday! |