Beat travel bugs

Get your shots

It's a smart idea to ensure you're protected against serious illnesses that are more common in areas to which you plan to travel. This is especially important if you plan to travel with infants, young children, or frail seniors.

It can take several weeks for an immunization to protect you against a disease, so be sure to consult a travel health clinic or your family physician 6 to 8 weeks before your trip.

Which shots you need will vary according to your age, health, and any pre-existing medical conditions, as well as the nature of your travel, including whether you will stay in cities or be visiting more rural locations. Health Canada provides a list online of recommended vaccines, but your family doctor or family health clinic should also be able to make recommendations. The list is available from the Public Health Agency of Canada Travel Medicine Program.

Watch what you eat and drink

Of course a major source of illness -- abroad or at home, but particularly abroad where standards may be different -- is food and water.

Health Canada reminds travellers to keep the following principles in mind: boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it. More specific advice includes:

- Eat only food that has been well-cooked and is still hot when served.

- Drink only purified water that has been boiled or disinfected with chlorine or iodine, or commercially bottled water in sealed containers (you may want to be wary of local brands).

- Drinking carbonated drinks without ice, including beer, is usually safe.

- Avoid ice, unless it has been made with purified water.