A big issue with with traveling abroad is getting sick from contaminated food or drink.
Even in more modern societies with sophisticated water cleaning and disposal systems, visitors form other places int he world can still get sick from the tap water.
This teaches us that drinking or eating food with preparation that your body isn’t used to could make you sick.
If you’re thinking of visiting a foreign location, there are a few things to know to avoid getting stomach pains or any type of associated illness abroad.
Step by Step
If you’re handling untreated water, boil for at least 40 minutes. This can get rid of most bad microorganisms and make drinking your water safer, coffee and tea are the safest options because they are boiled before served.
Avoid using tap water to brush your teeth and don’t add ice to any drink.
Stick to bottled water, drinks and sealed food containers and wines or beers. Do not drink any drinks already opened.
•Dry off all containers that are wet, they might have been cooled down with tap water.
•Always check the seals for bottled drinks and be sure they haven’t been refilled.
Take water purifying tablets with you to use when out in rural areas where no bottled water is available or if you are lost and are in an emergency.
Consider taking a portable filter and following the instructions step by step. Avoid taking food or drink from locals unless you see it has been boiled well. Sea food is best turned down politely and eating food from places with an abundance of flies is also not recommended.
When peeling fruit, peel carefully so the outside doesn’t touch the inner contents of the fruit to avoid contamination.
Some countries do not pasteurize their dairy products, this for some might be healthy and nutritious but for others, non pasteurized dairy can be very risky to consume.
Avoid fresh fish, it may contain toxins on its outer skin, other cooked sea food is fine, make sure any type of food comes to you piping hot, if it is not ask politely that it is, never get into an argument with those who are serving your food, be friendly and polite.
Tips
If you eat something you should have avoided, you’ll most likely get ‘traveler’s diarrhea’ which will last about one week. Rest up, eat salted crackers and lots of healthy fluids. If you suffer from worse symptoms like bloody diarrhea look for medical assistance without hesitation.