Staying healthy and safe abroad

Most trips go smoothly, but a stomach bug, a lost passport or an accident can happen anywhere. A little preparation means a problem stays a problem and does not become a crisis.

Health preparation

• The NHS advises getting travel health advice at least 4 to 6 weeks before you leave, because some vaccines need several doses or time to work. GOV.UK's travel checklist suggests checking at least 8 weeks ahead.
• Ask your doctor or a travel clinic which vaccinations you need for your destination. TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk) gives country-by-country advice.
• Some countries require a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from certain areas. The UAE is one example, according to UK travel advice.
• Pack a small kit: any regular medicines, plasters, pain relief you normally use, oral rehydration sachets, sunscreen and insect repellent where needed.

Food and water

• TravelHealthPro advises that in areas with poor sanitation you avoid tap water and ice, including for brushing teeth, unless the water is treated.
• Safer choices include sealed factory-made drinks, tea and coffee made with boiled water and served steaming hot, freshly cooked food served piping hot, and fruit you peel yourself.
• Be careful with salads, unpeeled raw fruit and vegetables, food left uncovered in the heat, and street food unless it is cooked in front of you and served hot.
• Wash your hands with soap before eating; use alcohol gel when there is no water.
• If you get diarrhoea, the NHS says the most important thing is drinking lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. The NHS says diarrhoea usually stops within 5 to 7 days and vomiting within 1 or 2 days; get medical advice if they last longer, and urgently if there is blood in your poo, you cannot keep fluids down or you show signs of dehydration.

Travel insurance

• Medical care abroad can be extremely expensive. GOV.UK gives examples such as a stomach infection treated in a US hospital, with possible evacuation, costing over GBP 150,000.
• Check that the policy covers medical treatment, getting home, every destination, the whole trip, and every activity you plan.
• Declare any medical conditions, including mental health conditions; GOV.UK warns that not declaring something can invalidate your cover.
• Carry your policy number and the insurer's emergency phone number. See the Money module for how insurance works.

Your embassy and what it can do

• Before you travel, save the address and phone number of your country's embassy or consulate in the place you are visiting.
• UAE nationals can find UAE embassies and consulates through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (mofa.gov.ae). Other nationalities should use their own foreign ministry's directory, such as GOV.UK's list of British embassies.
• Consular staff can help in emergencies such as accidents, arrests, crime and lost passports. The UK, for example, runs a 24/7 consular phone line and can issue emergency travel documents.
• If your passport is lost or stolen, report it to the local police and contact your embassy straight away.

Everyday safety

• Keep a digital copy of your passport and insurance documents in a secure place online, and a paper copy separate from the originals.
• Use licensed taxis or official ride-hailing apps, and keep valuables out of sight in crowded places.
• Check in with family regularly, and tell someone where you are going if you go out alone.
• Know the local emergency number. In the EU it is 112.