Safe Travel: How to Prevent Infections While Exploring the World Travel is freedom. It’s about breaking routines, exploring new cultures, tasting new foods, and collecting memories. But often, amid the excitement of planning itineraries and packing outfits, one thing gets overlooked — health and infections. As an Infectious Diseases specialist, I’ve seen travellers return with more than just souvenirs — sometimes with infections that could have been easily prevented. The good news? With the right precautions, you can stay safe and enjoy every moment of your journey. ⸻ Why Travel Infections Matter When we travel, we expose ourselves to: • New environments • Different food and water hygiene standards • Mosquitoes and insects carrying diseases • Crowded airports, buses, and public spaces full of germs Most infections are preventable. Awareness is always the first step. ⸻ Pre-Travel Checklist • Vaccinations – Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, and routine vaccines like tetanus, measles, flu. • Travel Kit – Hand sanitizer, oral rehydration salts, basic antibiotics (if prescribed), mosquito repellents. • Travel Insurance – A must for unexpected hospital visits abroad. Tip: Visit a travel clinic or infectious disease specialist 4–6 weeks before travel. ⸻ Food & Water Safety • Drink bottled or filtered water only. • Choose piping hot food; avoid undercooked meat or seafood. • Wash fruits with clean water or peel them. • Enjoy street food only from hygienic, busy vendors. Human touch: I’ve treated travellers who came back with severe typhoid from just one glass of roadside sugarcane juice. The joy wasn’t worth the pain. ⸻ Mosquito Protection • Malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are mosquito-borne. • Use repellents with DEET or picaridin. • Wear full-sleeved clothing during dusk and dawn. • Sleep under mosquito nets in endemic areas. ⸻ Flight & Hotel Hygiene • Wipe tray tables, armrests, and seatbelt buckles with sanitizer wipes. • Stay hydrated during long flights. • In hotels, check cleanliness, avoid damp AC units, and use your own toiletries. ⸻ Common Travel-Related Infections 1. Traveller’s diarrhoea 2. Flu and common cold 3. Skin infections 4. Hepatitis A and Typhoid 5. Mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue ⸻ Smart Habits While Exploring • Wash hands often or use sanitizer. • Avoid swimming in stagnant lakes in Africa and South Asia. • Respect local health advisories. • Seek medical care promptly if symptoms appear. ⸻ Final Word Travel should give you stories, not sickness. By taking precautions like vaccination, safe food habits, and mosquito protection, you can enjoy your adventures without worry. My advice: Pack health as carefully as you pack your passport. The best souvenir is coming home safe and healthy.