PPE: A guarantee for the health of the worker and the community

Traveling is always nice, but travelers are often unprepared regarding the hygiene and sanitation standards to be maintained during their stay. In fact, there is a high potential risk of contracting diseases that are rare in Western countries but endemic in countries with poor hygiene.

Most infections occur:

• When eating or drinking unsafe food or water: vaccines are available for a number of diseases, such as the hepatitis A vaccine and typhoid. Strict dietary precautions must be followed for other diseases;
• when ingesting unsafe water, such as while swimming, brushing teeth, or showering;
• while using swimming pools, water parks or spas where the water has not been properly treated;
• through infection of the skin, ears or eyes.

Below are some of the most common tips to follow during your stay to reduce the risk of contracting this type of disease

Food

The basic rule is that cooking is the best way to make food safe.

It is recommended to:

• choose food that is served hot and still steaming;
• avoid precooked foods that are not kept hot, refrigerated, or kept cool on ice by buffets or street vendors in markets;
• avoid reheating leftovers.

Must avoid:

• raw seafood;
• fish and shellfish can be dangerous even when well cooked;
• undercooked (rare) meat;
• dairy products or unpasteurized milk;
• dishes containing raw or undercooked eggs, such as mayonnaise, some sauces or desserts (e.g., mousse).

Fruits and vegetables.

The same principle applies to fruits and vegetables; salads and fresh herbs (including garnishes in drinks, e.g., mint leaves in mojitos) should be avoided where contaminated water may have been used to wash these foods.

Precautions:

• Always peel all fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes if they are to be eaten raw;

• avoid berries, especially raspberries: they are difficult to wash and can be a source of cyclospora;
• choose fruit juices from sealed cartons: freshly squeezed juice may have been made from unwashed fruit (Chagas disease).

Water

Tap and bottled water may not be safe if it has not been produced under proper conditions, even if it appears clear and colorless.

In this case, the basic advice is to consume only from sealed bottles, alternatively:

• boil, cool and store in a clean container;
• chemically disinfect or run through a reliable water filter and store in a clean container.

Care must also be taken with ice, as ice cubes can be produced using unsafe water. Do not remove it if it is present in your drink or cocktail, but avoid drinking it.

Safe drinks include:

• tea, coffee and infusions if boiled water has been used;
• beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages;
• carbonated beverages from sealed cans and bottles;
• pasteurized juices.

Remember that if you are traveling with an infant receiving formula milk, you should prepare bottles with safe and sterile water.

Sanitation standards

Hygiene, food and water regulations reduce the risk of contracting traveler's diarrhea and other foodborne diseases.

The first tip is without a doubt is to have a first aid kit with you, which should contain medications (depending on the type of travel) mainly for treating diarrhea and subsequent dehydration. For more information read from our Traveler's Pharmacy which medications to take with you.

As far as general hygiene is concerned, the COVID pandemic has come "to our aid" in fixing in our minds useful rules for preventing infections, but it is always good to remember them.

You must wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water:

• before eating and drinking;
• before and after preparing food, especially raw meat;
• after using the bathroom or changing diapers;
• after visiting food markets;
• after touching animals.

If it is not possible to wash hands, an alcohol-based disinfectant should be used.

In any case, it is advisable to seek the advice of experts in the field of Travel Medicine at least 6-8 weeks before departure. For information regarding the potential risks involved in your stay, advice on avoiding getting sick, and possibly drawing up a vaccination plan.