Insurance

Never travel without adequate health insurance: you never know what unlikely circumstances might befall you.

Inform your insurers what you are planning to do, where you are planning to go and also of any medical conditions that you may have. Any later claims may be invalid if your insurers find out that you haven't given full or correct information.

If there is an incident or accident, immediately contact the insurance company. Never leave it to someone else (unless you are unable to get to a phone: in such a case, make sure that the person making the call has access to all your insurance details).

The below link connects you to an impartial organisation that compares all insurance providers in the UK in one place and advise on types of insurance as well as factors that should be considered when looking for an insurance policy. 

They are working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as part of their 'Know Before You Go' Campaign to provide travellers with credible information and help them be better prepared for overseas trips.

Water

If you are staying in a country where health and hygiene are at all suspect, make sure that you only drink from sealed bottled water, don’t brush your teeth or wash food under taps, from jugs or standpipe water. Think twice before having ice in your drinks.

Dehydration is a major factor in feeling unwell, make sure that you drink plenty of sealed, bottled water. Some, but not all, of the milder dehydration symptoms are:

• Flushed face
• Extreme thirst
• Inability to drink
• Dry , warm skin
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Cramp in the arms and legs
• Headaches
• Feeling sleepy or irritable.

Health precautions

Before you leave, talk to your doctor about your travel plans. Ask for advice; not only about injections and pills needed, but symptoms to look out for and what to do if you suspect you’ve caught something. If you are on medication always take enough with you to cover you for your trip. You may not be able to obtain them when you are away.

Some immunisations are free under the NHS but you may have to pay for the more exotic or rare immunisations (these can be expensive but your health is worth it).

Certain countries require a yellow fever certificate to prove you've been protected before they will let you in. The government has a good site for information on foreign travel to all parts of the world: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) has travel clinics around Britain. To find your nearest clinic check the website or contact the travellers' health line (0906 8224 100).

Health advice

Here are some websites offering good free advice about vaccinations, etc:

• www.e-med.co.uk
• www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
• www.travelhealth.co.uk

The Department of Health freefone health information service (0800 665 544) and their website is also a useful source of advice.