Food and Water
In areas where chlorinated tap water is not available, or where hygiene and sanitation are poor (most of Western Europe is excluded from this category), travelers should be advised that only the following may be safe to drink:
1. Beverages, such as tea and coffee, made with boiled water.
2. Canned or bottled carbonated beverages, including carbonated bottled water and soft drinks.
3. Beer and wine: Where water may be contaminated, ice (or containers for drinking) can also be considered contaminated, and it is generally safer to drink directly from the can or bottle of a beverage than from a questionable container. Wet cans or bottles should be dried before being opened, and surfaces that come into direct contact with the mouth should first be wiped clean. If no source of safe drinking water is available, e.g. verifiably safe bottled-water, tap water that is uncomfortably hot to touch may be safe, once it has cooled and put in a thoroughly cleaned container; it can also be used for brushing teeth as well as for drinking.
4. Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: In areas of the world where hygiene and sanitation are known to be poor, to avoid illness, fresh food should always be selected with care. You should avoid non-pasteurized milk and milk products, such as cheese, and eat only fruit that you have peeled yourself. Since the sources of the organisms causing travelers' diarrhea are usually contaminated food or water, precautionary measures are particularly helpful in preventing most serious intestinal infections. However, even when persons follow these general guidelines for prevention, they may still develop diarrhea. You may prepare your own fruit juice from fresh fruit. Iced drinks and non- carbonated bottled fluids made from water of uncertain quality should be avoid.
5. Street-food: Many developing (and developed) countries offer an abundance of food sold from stands, along the road. It is advisable to avoid such food unless and until you have ample evidence from reliable local sources that it is safe for visitors to eat. Note: many locals may have no trouble with such food or drink, but this is often because they have developed over time bodily immunities against its possible impurities, which is not the case for visitors. You will be tempted, but careful.
Prescriptions
Should you currently be under the care of a physician or require regular medication or injections (e.g. insulin or allergy shots), be sure to check with your personal physician for any advice or recommendations concerning your welfare while abroad. It is a good idea to notify the on-site coordinator of any special needs you may have.
If you need medications regularly, take an adequate supply with you. Do not buy medications "over the counter" while you are overseas unless you are familiar with the product: the US Food and Drug abroad do not regulate "Over the counter" drugs
Administration
A letter should accompany prescription medicines from your physician. This letter should include a description of the problem, the dosage of prescribed medications to assist medical authorities during an emergency, and the generic name(s) of medicine listed.
Any special health needs or medical conditions should be noted on medical history forms you are advised to travel with you. If you are required to take a medicine containing habit-forming or narcotic drugs you should carry a doctor's certificate attesting to that fact. It is also advisable to keep all medicines in their original and labeled containers.
Insurance
Be sure that you have adequate health insurance and understand your policy, especially what is and isn't or may not be covered outside the U.S.A. All study abroad students at WCU are required to purchase study abroad health insurance through a plan arranged by the state of North Carolina. This inexpensive plan includes health insurance, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains coverage. If the country to which you are going requires the purchase of their in-country health insurance, the ME&R insurance may be purchased separately. See Kay Moore in the IPS office for more information, rates, and to make arrangements for coverage.
Carry your insurance card with you at all times! |
