I just got back from my first trip to the tropics. I was afraid of getting sick, so I did some research and took some steps to protect myself. Here are some tips that helped me.
- Get vaccinated.
I spent a short time in places where mosquitoes don't carry many diseases. "Relatively" is the key word. A two-week trip to a city is probably a good idea. Get your shots early if you're going to be there for a long time or if it's a dangerous area. Don't wait until the last minute to do it, because then it will be too late! The drugs need time to "take effect," so your doctor may need to order them ahead of time.
- Get an insect repellent.
I mixed citronella with olive oil to make one for mosquitoes. Citronella is an essential oil (an essence). I rubbed the mixture into all the areas that were exposed in the morning, at night, and after I washed. Appears to have worked. I think I put in too much oil, so it had a bit of a smell. I say it's better than getting bit!
- Wear pants and shirts with long sleeves.
I wore socks to bed, too. Give pests nowhere to live! Mosquitoes are just doing what comes naturally to them; they need your blood to live. It's just too bad that when they bite, they can pass on parasites. If you don't give them something to eat, all you'll have left from your trip is a silly hat and some photos. If you want to wear long-sleeved clothes to bed, you'll need a room with air conditioning and a fan. Don't put them in the freezer; just make it cool with a little breeze.
- Cooling system.
Mosquitoes should be scared away by air conditioning and fans, which is good. Don't "go native" and think you're as tough as the people who live there. You can be sure that they also get malaria and dengue.
- Use mosquito nets.
Try your best to keep them away. Fear is a good thing!
- Don't eat ice or salad
Coliforms from poop can be in ice. It depends on what kind of water was used to make it. Salads can be made by people who don't get paid much and haven't washed their hands. In Muslim countries, it's common to use a hose instead of toilet paper, so if the staff hasn't been very careful with their own hygiene,...
You might feel bad about yourself if you say no. Would you want to spend your vacation in a hospital in a third-world country just to avoid being embarrassed? People like honest people, so stay true to yourself.
- Do not drink the water.
A country can look modern on the outside, but its sewage system is what really shows how modern it is. The water from the tap might not be filtered well enough. Drink water that comes in a bottle or that you have boiled yourself. Get a kettle and boil the water every day. When you wake up, put the water in your water bottle. Easy.
- Take in a lot of water.
A few sips here and there is better than a litre all at once. You won't have to go to the bathroom as often.
- Don't go outside in the sun.
It's too hot to run around like you do at home, which is why the locals are so chill. Getting a tan actually hurts your skin. Because the ozone layer is getting thinner, you may get more than a golden tan. Who cares if you don't get a tan when you get back? In their later years, when their sisters have leathery skin from baking on the beach, this will be especially important to the women. There's also nothing less "cool" than a white man who has sunstroke.
It's best to be careful when travelling in the tropics. I hope you can still enjoy your holiday!
