Depending on your destination, it could be necessary to begin a cycle of vaccinations and medical prevention up to three months before the departure date. It is imperative to respect the programme agreed on with your doctor. Disregarding it could lead to inadequate or even inexistent protection (especially in the case of malaria prophylaxis, which must be continued even after returning home). Updated information on which vaccines are obligatory or recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization) and in which countries is available in all hospitals, medical centres and pharmacies.

When travelling always bring with you:

If you are being treated with specific drugs, remember to always bring a sufficient supply in your hand luggage.

Medicines are often sold abroad under a different name and pharmaceutical composition depending on the country.

Check the expiry date of medicines left over from previous travels and replace them if they have expired.

Vaccinations and preventive medical treatment guarantee effective and safe protection only if doses and deadlines are respected. Any change in doses and deadlines recommended by your doctor reduces the level of protection.
Vaccinations and preventive medical treatment are a responsible way of ensuring an adequate level of protection. However, they should not be considered as substitutes for preventive and correct behaviour to be followed daily (a balanced diet, limited consumption of alcoholic beverages, physical exercise, scrupulous personal hygiene, etc.)

People with evident health problems should avoid long, exhausting trips. To prevent jet-lag syndrome, it is advisable to include a day's rest in your schedule to allow your body to get used to the time difference. Do the same on your return trip.
 
In the event of high fever or other symptoms, once you return home contact your doctor urgently. Remember to tell him/her where you have been (final destination and any intermediate stops) to help him/her make a diagnosis.
 
 

One of the most common ailments of travellers. Diarrhea can be caused by insufficiently cooked food, contaminated drinking water (including ice cubes), other beverages, raw vegetables and fruit that has not been peeled. Consume food that has just been prepared and properly cooked, only drink water in sealed bottles and always peel fruit before eating it. Remember there are no vaccines against gastrointestinal infections. Naturally, the risk is higher in countries where the level of hygiene is insufficient.
Remedies: in the event of diarrhea the body is depleted of liquids and mineral salts that must be reintroduced. Mix 1 litre orange juice with 1 litre drinking water (uncontaminated), add 1 teaspoonful of table salt and 10 teaspoonfuls of sugar. Drink at regular intervals until diarrhea stops. If these ingredients are not available, you can use a glass of Coca Cola (not 'light'), a slice of flat bread or some rusks. Serious bouts of diarrhea can be fatal for infants and small children. In these cases, contact a doctor urgently.
Hygiene: the only way to avoid diarrhea attacks is scrupulous hygiene. Never drink tap water in tropical countries and only use boiled or mineral water to clean your teeth. Avoid non-pasteurized milk, unpeeled fruit, raw vegetables (including salad), uncooked food and shellfish, ice cubes in drinks, sandwiches and quiches.

The most useful precautions against tropical diseases are scrupulous personal hygiene and suitable clothes and shoes. Vaccinations and medical kits are important, but do not protect against dangerous behaviour. Children must be subjected to all the vaccinations recommended by the Official Health Programme. Contact your doctor before you leave.

Malaria is a widespread disease in tropical regions. The infection is caused by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito.

Prevention:
- malaria prophylaxis. The type of prophylaxis prescribed depends on the final destination and intermediate stops.

Precautions:
- clothes covering arms and legs.

- insect repellent.

- mosquito nets.

Infectious jaundice. A high risk in countries where medical facilities are inadeguate. Infection takes place through contact with faeces, water (including ice cubes) and contaminated food.
Prevention:
- vaccine (2 preliminary vaccinations at intervals of 2/4 weeks guarantee immunity for around 1 year; a booster shot after 6/12 months guarantees immunity for various years.
Precautions:
- administration of immunoglobulin before departure.

Yellow fever is prevalent in some regions of Africa and South America. Vaccination is compulsory for travellers entering these countries. Check if you are travelling to or stopping over even for just a few days in countries where the vaccine is compulsory. Some countries require visitors from areas at risk to be vaccinated.

Poliomyelitis is present throughout the world, but incidence is higher in countries with poor hygiene-medical standards and where a general prevention plan does not exist. Infection takes place through contact with a virus agent, especially faeces and contaminated water and food.
Prevention:
- vaccine and booster shot (oral or subcutaneous).

Present throughout the world, especially during the colder months in temperate zones. It is an air-borne infection.

Prevention:
- vaccine and booster shot, usually combined with anti-tetanus vaccination.

Present throughout the world, especially in Africa, Nepal and India. Vaccination and prophylaxis are compulsory for travellers to a high-risk country.

An infection common in warm areas. Infection takes place through contaminated air and food.

Prevention:
- scrupulous hygiene.

- oral vaccine or subcutaneous vaccination (injections).

Vaccination against cholera is not compulsory at International level, since the vaccine does not protect against infection, through it can prevent the disease from affecting individuals. However, vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where the hygienic and medical situation is critical and where cholera is endemic. For more information consult a doctor.

Widespread throughout the world. Infection takes place through contact with contaminated wounds.

Prevention:
- vaccine (booster every 10 years), usually combined with anti-diphtheria vaccination.

AIDS, hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted diseases

Nowdays AIDS, hepatitis B, gonorrhea and syphilis are the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases.

AIDS is transmitted through unprotected sexual relations with infected persons and can have a long incubation period (several years). It is not possible to immediately identify a healthy carrier or a person suffering from the disease. HIV positive persons can pass on the virus to their partner without even being aware of it. The only certain way to discover if you are infected with the HIV virus is through a blood test.

However, the test is only reliable three months after infection since it does not indicate the actual presence of the virus but the body's immune reaction to the virus (antibodies). AIDS is transmitted above all through high-risk sexual activity. A single sexual relation with an infected partner can cause infection.
Every time infected blood, sperm or vaginal secretions enter into contact with the mucous membranes, there is a high risk of contracting the disease. AIDS cannot be passed on through kisses, caresses and massages.

The percentage of men and women suffering from the HIV virus is very high, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In some of these regions around three quarters of men and women who practice prostitution currently suffer from AIDS.
AIDS and hepatitis B can also be contracted through unsterilized or shared syringes and needles. If you require regular injections for reasons of health, be sure to bring a sufficient supply of sterilized disposable syringes.
 
 
Prevention
Vaccination is the only effective form of prevention against hepatitis B. The only effective form of prevention against AIDS, hepatitis B and sexual diseases in general is the correct use of condoms during sexual relationships. If you do not exclude the possibility of sexual activity during your holiday, make sure you bring a sufficient supply of condoms with you, since the ones available in many countries are of inferior quality and therefore unsafe.
 
 
NOTE: AIDS cannot be transmitted through normal daily contact with infected or HIV positive persons (sharing cutlery, sheets, beds, bathroom facilities, bath towels, swimming-pool, etc.).
 

Remember that the sun's rays are strongest near the sea, while in the mountains they are intensified by altitude and reflection on snow, especially above glacier level. Clouds and mist do not protect against ultraviolet rays.

Sunbun is dangerous and can have serious consequences such as melanoma (skin cancer). To avoid sunburn and gain a "healthy tan", stay in the shade during the first days of your holiday.
Stay out of the sun between 10 am and 3 pm, when the rays are hottest and strongest. Children under 3 years should never be exposed to intense sun rays.

It is advisable to buy sun creams before leaving for your trip. Protection factors abroad may not correspond to Italian ones and you could have difficulty in finding a product suited to your specific needs and skin characteristics. Help your skin get gradually accustomed to the sun's rays by limiting sun exposure time and by applying high sun protection factor creams, especially at first. After exposure to the sun, always use an after-sun lotion. In case of severe sunburn or sunstroke consult a doctor.

Some medicines can cause allergic reactions. In the event of prolonged sun exposure, contact your doctor or a pharmacist who will advise you on which products and cosmetics to use. Remember that some cosmetic articles combined with intense sun rays can cause acne reactions. Avoid applying them during exposure to the sun.

When organising a trip be sure to take all the necessary medical precautions, not only on the basis of the country you intend to visit, but also providing for activities planned once you get to your destination.

A programme involving 14 days on the beach is very different from venturing into the wilderness of the interior! In the first case, do not underestimate the risk of sunburn or sunstroke in countries with high temperatures or at different latitudes. Forms of dysentery are also frequent.

If you intend to cover great distances and get away from civilisation for weeks on end, take into account that you may come into contact with infectious diseases.

Generally speaking, adjust your behaviour to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Before leaving visit your local tropical diseases prevention centre and complete your vaccination plan. Remember to always bring a well-equipped medical kit with you.
 

In regions where malaria is widespread, always use an insect repellent and complete the cycle of drugs recommended by your doctor. Protect arms and legs with long-sleeved shirts and trousers, especially in the evening.

The dangers posed by spiders and snakes are often exaggerated, but do pay attention in desert, tropical and equatorial areas. Wear closed, tough shoes and always check there are no unwelcome guests inside before putting them on .

Sea urchins, jelly-fish, corals and poisonous fish are often underestimated but can prove very dangerous.

In the event of stings or bites see an expert toxicologist urgently. Bathing in rivers and lakes is not recommended since bacterial proliferation is greater in fresh water than in salt water.