Part of the fun of travel is the excitement of trying new things, especially the flavors and local foods of the places where you are visiting.
When traveling within the United States and Canada, there is little risk of developing illnesses from contaminated food or water. The risk also is minimal in developed countries.
In developing countries travelers should be cautious about the foods they eat and the drinks they consume. Traveler’s diarrhea is a common downside of visiting some countries and regions of the world. These areas include Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and most of Asia, with the exception of Japan. Traveler’s diarrhea is typically only a nuisance. But it can be accompanied by a high fever, abdominal cramping and vomiting. In severe cases can lead to dehydration. It can also create complications for people with compromised immune systems or underlying chronic diseases.
Traveler’s diarrhea is generally caused by differences in sanitary standards, infrastructure and practices in developing areas. It is typically attributed to parasites, viruses or bacteria such as Escherichia coli, or E. coli. These organisms upset the normal balance of your digestive system.
Practicing Food and Water Safety While Traveling
Pay close attention to what you eat and drink to stay safe and healthy when traveling. Here are suggestions for food safety in regions where food and water contamination is a concern:
- Hot food is typically safe, as the cooking process destroys contaminants. However, you should avoid eating food that is allowed to sit at warm or room temperatures, such as food on a buffet.
- Packaged food is considered safe if it is factory sealed.
- Raw food is not considered safe, including fresh salsas or seafood “cooked” in citrus juices.
- Street food should be eaten with caution. Watch the vendor cook the food to make sure it is served straight off the grill and steaming hot.
- Avoid game meat
For Drinks
- Do not drink tap water, and avoid drinks with ice.
- Bottled drinks are typically safe, although some dishonest vendors may refill used bottles and seal caps with glue after opening them. Carbonated bottled drinks are usually safe, as they will remain bubbly if they haven’t been opened. Wipe off the top of bottles before drinking.
- Steaming hot coffee or tea is generally safe, but avoid these drinks if they are served warm.
- Avoid milk that has been sitting out on a buffet or is an open container. Pasteurized milk in a factory-sealed container is generally safe.
- Fountain drinks that are mixed with water can be risky.
- Avoid fresh-squeezed juice unless you squeeze it yourself.
Air Medical Transport Service for a Serious Illness During Travel
Food- and water-borne illnesses, such as traveler’s diarrhea, typically resolve themselves in a few days. Often with the use of OTC or prescription medicine people get better. However, serious medical conditions or accidents may require assisted medical transportation home. SentinelMED is an air medical medical transport service offering medical repatriation and medical escorts to help navigate the complexities of long-distance travel for sick or elderly patients.
The SentinelMED team can arrange door-to-door care and transportation from discharge at a hospital or medical facility to a receiving health care facility or family member who is able to assume their care. For patients who do not have a family member or friend to travel with them, a medical escort can make it possible to arrive home safely and in comfort.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to patients who need assistance during travel, whether for an existing medical condition or in the event of an injury or accident while away from home. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
