One of my joys in business travelling is eating different cuisines, most of the time cooked differently in style and taste. Unfortunately, business traveling also has it perils – diseases and food poisoning are the main causes. To avoid it, I need to be well prepare for the journey ahead and not hastily try every food and drink that is placed in front of me. Before I embark on any journey, I normally check my government health site about any health warnings that I need to be aware of, the health standards and requirements in the country of my destination.
India
In was in 1994, my first trip to Mumbai and Bangalore, with the limited knowledge from friends and relatives I was aprehensive about this trip and decided to be extra careful. I had the necessary jabs - Typhoid and Flu vacination and was careful of what I ate and drink, making sure the food was always piping hot and the drinks are void of ice. Why ice? because ice is made from the tap water. On a hot day in Mumbai, when your mind badly needed a cold ice Coke, your stomach says "Coke with no ice, please". I felt terribly ill on the day before my departure and soon realise that a simple action of brushing my teeth and gurgling with tap water can be the cause. I should have used bottle water to brush my teeth. Though my first trip to India was 'painful' – the hospitality from my business partner was overwhelming. Till today, no matter how prepared I am - India is the only country that I always fall sick either there or back home in Singapore.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is not a trival matter for business travellers like myself, who routinely eat food prepared by strangers in strange places, and increasingly venturing further to new destinations.
Food poisoning, especially mild cases, if often shrugged off as a stomach virus, a touch of the flu or indigestion. But not all symptoms associated with food poisoning are caused by toxic food or by food handlers’ poor sanitation – some causes of commonly occurring diarrhea are caused basically by “foreign bacteria” that your body simply may not be used to.”
Food-borne illnesses can be caused by bacteria and viruses. But basically, if you get a dose of food poisoning of any type (and there are dozens), the culprit is often likely to be an unsanitary food handler – or even a fellow diner, especially at one of those sumptuous buffets so familiar to business travelers attending conventions, trade shows and conferences.
In exotic areas, a well-cooked piping hot piece of chicken from a roadside stall might sometimes be a safer bet than a piece of fresh fruit or a salad at a fine restaurant.
A simple rule of thumb is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it".
Whether travelling on business or vacation - the trip can be marred by just one member falling sick, so it is important to take the following vaccinations ranking with importance:-
Hepatitis A and B
Vacciniation against Hepatitis A and B is a precaution to take when travelling to some Asian countries, where the level of food-handling hygiene may be compromised. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver in which the most distinct characteristic is yellowing of the eyes adn skin, usually preceded by tiredness, high fever and pain in the upper right abdomen. Once striken, the patient may suffer from fatigue, jaundice and loss of appetitie. These symptoms can linger for up to nine months, causing untold anxiety because recuperation will be an inevitable cause for absenteeism from work.
Hepatitis A is food and water borne. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contaminated bodily fluids such as blood transfusions and sexual contact. Both Hepatitis A and B can cause liver disease. A simple blood test can determine whether your family needs to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A or B, particularly if you are going to countries that have a high incidence of hepatitis B. There is also a combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B for those who want double protection. All children is Singapore are vaccinated against Hepatitis B from birth. Those vaccinated will retain immunity for between five and ten years.
Flu jab
Influenza, or flu is one of the most common infections throughout the year in Singapore. The infection peaks from May to July and November to January. This coincides with the school vacation and peak travel periods in Singapore. Vaccination will protect the traveller travelling to south temperate regions like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa during May to July, and northern temperate regions around November to February.
The Flu virus attacks the lungs and can spread easily. For some, it can be very serious, even fatal. Young children, the elderly, or people who already have health problems are among those likely to suffer the worst effects. Sometimes the flu is mistaken for a cold, because some of the symptoms are the same. Runny nose, sore throat and a cough are common to both. Both flu is usually worse, resulting in body aches, headache and fever. Symptoms of flu can last longer than those of a cold, sometimes for weeks.
Flu is a highly infectious illness, which spreads very rapidly by coughs and sneezes from people who are already carrying the virus. The virus circulates every winter, usually over a period of a few weeks, so that a lot of people get ill around the same time. The flu jab is the best protection against the virus. The flu virus changes, so you need to have a flu jab every year to make sure that you are protected against the latest strain of the virus. Another good alternative is Tamiflu but currently with the Bird Flu scare, this anti-flu viral tabs is in scarcity. Governments around the world are stocking up millions of Tamiflu tabs.
India
In was in 1994, my first trip to Mumbai and Bangalore, with the limited knowledge from friends and relatives I was aprehensive about this trip and decided to be extra careful. I had the necessary jabs - Typhoid and Flu vacination and was careful of what I ate and drink, making sure the food was always piping hot and the drinks are void of ice. Why ice? because ice is made from the tap water. On a hot day in Mumbai, when your mind badly needed a cold ice Coke, your stomach says "Coke with no ice, please". I felt terribly ill on the day before my departure and soon realise that a simple action of brushing my teeth and gurgling with tap water can be the cause. I should have used bottle water to brush my teeth. Though my first trip to India was 'painful' – the hospitality from my business partner was overwhelming. Till today, no matter how prepared I am - India is the only country that I always fall sick either there or back home in Singapore.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is not a trival matter for business travellers like myself, who routinely eat food prepared by strangers in strange places, and increasingly venturing further to new destinations.
Food poisoning, especially mild cases, if often shrugged off as a stomach virus, a touch of the flu or indigestion. But not all symptoms associated with food poisoning are caused by toxic food or by food handlers’ poor sanitation – some causes of commonly occurring diarrhea are caused basically by “foreign bacteria” that your body simply may not be used to.”
Food-borne illnesses can be caused by bacteria and viruses. But basically, if you get a dose of food poisoning of any type (and there are dozens), the culprit is often likely to be an unsanitary food handler – or even a fellow diner, especially at one of those sumptuous buffets so familiar to business travelers attending conventions, trade shows and conferences.
In exotic areas, a well-cooked piping hot piece of chicken from a roadside stall might sometimes be a safer bet than a piece of fresh fruit or a salad at a fine restaurant.
A simple rule of thumb is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it".
Whether travelling on business or vacation - the trip can be marred by just one member falling sick, so it is important to take the following vaccinations ranking with importance:-
Hepatitis A and B
Vacciniation against Hepatitis A and B is a precaution to take when travelling to some Asian countries, where the level of food-handling hygiene may be compromised. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver in which the most distinct characteristic is yellowing of the eyes adn skin, usually preceded by tiredness, high fever and pain in the upper right abdomen. Once striken, the patient may suffer from fatigue, jaundice and loss of appetitie. These symptoms can linger for up to nine months, causing untold anxiety because recuperation will be an inevitable cause for absenteeism from work.
Hepatitis A is food and water borne. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contaminated bodily fluids such as blood transfusions and sexual contact. Both Hepatitis A and B can cause liver disease. A simple blood test can determine whether your family needs to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A or B, particularly if you are going to countries that have a high incidence of hepatitis B. There is also a combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B for those who want double protection. All children is Singapore are vaccinated against Hepatitis B from birth. Those vaccinated will retain immunity for between five and ten years.
Flu jab
Influenza, or flu is one of the most common infections throughout the year in Singapore. The infection peaks from May to July and November to January. This coincides with the school vacation and peak travel periods in Singapore. Vaccination will protect the traveller travelling to south temperate regions like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa during May to July, and northern temperate regions around November to February.
The Flu virus attacks the lungs and can spread easily. For some, it can be very serious, even fatal. Young children, the elderly, or people who already have health problems are among those likely to suffer the worst effects. Sometimes the flu is mistaken for a cold, because some of the symptoms are the same. Runny nose, sore throat and a cough are common to both. Both flu is usually worse, resulting in body aches, headache and fever. Symptoms of flu can last longer than those of a cold, sometimes for weeks.
Flu is a highly infectious illness, which spreads very rapidly by coughs and sneezes from people who are already carrying the virus. The virus circulates every winter, usually over a period of a few weeks, so that a lot of people get ill around the same time. The flu jab is the best protection against the virus. The flu virus changes, so you need to have a flu jab every year to make sure that you are protected against the latest strain of the virus. Another good alternative is Tamiflu but currently with the Bird Flu scare, this anti-flu viral tabs is in scarcity. Governments around the world are stocking up millions of Tamiflu tabs.
Typhoid
You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding S. Typhi or if sewage contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food. Therefore, typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where hand washing is less frequent and water is likely to be contaminated with sewage. Typhoid fever can be prevented and can usually be treated with antibiotics. It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. Persons with typhoid fever usually have a sustained fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C). They may also feel weak, or have stomach pains, headache, or loss of appetite. In some cases, patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. The only way to know for sure if an illness is typhoid fever is to have samples of stool or blood tested for the presence of S. Typhi.
Typhoid jab last for 3 years.
It is still wise to be careful.
- If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it to a rolling boil for 1 minute before you drink it. Bottled carbonated water is safer than uncarbonated water.
- Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water. Avoid popsicles and flavored ices that may have been made with contaminated water.
- Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.
- Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very hard to wash well. When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel them yourself. (Wash your hands with soap first.)
- Do not eat the peelings. Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers get sick from food bought from street vendors.
Only 2 vaccines have been designated as compulsory. These are immunisation against Meningitis, which is required for all who make the yearly Haj pilgrimage, and Yellow Fever , which is endemic in parts of South America and Africa (It would also be advisable to be protected against Japanese Encephalities).
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