• Boiled water.
  
• Bottled water or canned drinks (and drink them from the original container).
• Water treated by a sterilising agent (you can buy water purification tablets from a pharmacy).

• Only eat well cooked fresh food
• Avoid leftovers and reheated foods
• Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked
• Eat cooked vegetables, avoid salads
• Only eat fruit you can peel
• Never drink unpasteurised milk
• Avoid ice-cream and shellfish
• Avoid buying food from street vendor's stalls unless it is thoroughly cooked in front of you
• Alcohol! If you drink to excess, alcohol could lead you to become carefree and ignore these precautions

• High risk areas include North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia, South America, Mexico and the Middle East.
• Medium risk areas include the northern Mediterranean, Canary Islands and the Caribbean Islands.
• Low risk areas include North America, Western Europe and Australia.

You can certainly help prevent travellers' diarrhoea in the way you behave - make sure you follow the food, water and personal hygiene guidelines already given. Travellers' diarrhoea is 4 or more loose stools in a 24 hour period often accompanied by stomach pain, cramps and vomiting. It usually lasts 2 to 4 days and whilst it is not a life threatening illness, it can disrupt your trip for several days.

The main danger if the illness is dehydration, and this if very severe can kill if it is not treated. Treatment is therefore re-hydration. In severe cases and particularly in young children and the elderly, commercially prepared re-hydration solution is extremely useful. This can be bought in tablet or sachet form at a chemist shop e.g. DIORALYTE; or ELECTROLADE. (Dioralyte Relief is a new formula containing rice powder which also helps to relieve the diarrhoea, particularly useful in children). Prepare according to instructions. Anti Diarrhoeal Tablets can be used for short term relief for adults (eg for a bus or train journey or flight) but should never be used in children under 4 years of age, and only on prescription for children aged 4 to 12 years. Commonly used tablets are IMODIUM and LOMOTIL. None of these tablets should ever be used if the person has a temperature or blood in the stool. Do seek medical help if the affected person has:

• A temperature
• Blood in the diarrhoea
• Diarrhoea for more than 48 hours (or 24 hours in children)
• Becomes confused

In very special circumstances, antibiotics are used for diarrhoea, but this decision should only be made by a doctor (a woman taking the oral contraceptive pill may not have full contraceptive protection if she has had diarrhoea and vomiting. Extra precautions must be used - refer to your 'pill' information leaflet. If using condoms, use products with the British Kite Mark).

• Increase sun exposure gradually, 20 minutes limit initially.
• Use sun blocks of adequate Sun Protection Factor strength (SPF 15 minimum). Reapply often and always after swimming and washing. Read manufacturer's instructions.
• Wear protective clothing - sun hats etc.
• Avoid going out between 11am - 3pm, when the sun's rays are strongest.
• Take special care of CHILDREN and those with pale skin/red hair.
• Drink extra fluids in a hot climate.
• Be aware that alcohol can make you dehydrated.

• Factor 15 sunscreen offers about 93% protection
  
• Factor 30 sunscreen offers about 96% protection
• Factor 60 sunscreen offers about 98% protection
• www.cancerresearchuk.org/sunsmart/staysafe/sunscreen/

• Choose one with an SPF of 15 or above - this will give you over 90% protection.
  
• Make sure it is labelled 'broad spectrum' - to protect against UVA and UVB.
  
• Choose water resistant - it is less likely to wash or be sweated off.
  
• Check the 'use by' date - most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2-3 years.
  
• You don't have to pay for expensive brands. All types are tested and the cheaper brands are just as effective if used properly - just remember factor 15+. 

• Try to apply it 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun.
  
• Apply to clean, dry skin and rub in only lightly.
  
• Use generous amounts.
  
• Re-apply once outside to ensure even coverage.
  
• Then re-apply every 2 hours or more frequently if washed, rubbed or sweated off.
  
• Put on before make-up, moisturiser, insect repellant, and so on.
  
• Never use it to spend longer in the sun - this will put you at risk of sun damage that could lead to skin cancer.
  
• In hotter climates and hotter days in the UK avoid direct sun exposure between 11am and 3pm.
  
• Take special care of children and those with pale skin / red hair.
  
• Use SPF 60 on any areas of recent scarring / skin damage.
  
• You can get severe sunburn in the UK.
  
• Do not store sunscreens in very hot places as extreme heat can ruin their protective chemicals.

• Avoid alcohol and food 1 hour before swimming.
• Never dive into water where the depth is uncertain.
• Only swim in safe water, check currents, sharks, jellyfish etc.
• Avoid alcohol when driving, especially at night.
• Avoid hiring motorcycles and mopeds.
• If hiring a car, rent a large one if possible, ensure the tyres, brakes and seat belts are in good condition.
• Use reliable taxi firms.
• Know where emergency facilities are.