Drinking water and food hygiene
All content is checked by medical journalists.
There are holiday souvenirs that nobody wants. Some people go on vacation healthy and come back sick. In many countries with low hygiene standards, drinking water is contaminated. In some countries, human feces are still fertilized. Sometimes spoiled or contaminated food is also on the table
The main diseases that can be infected through food and drinking water are:
- Brucellosis
- cholera
- Clonorchiasis
- diarrhea
- Giardiasis
- Hepatitis A and hepatitis E
- poliomyelitis
- anthrax
- Roundworm infestation
- tuberculosis
- typhus
Vaccinations are only available against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid.
The following motto is particularly important for the consumption of food in countries with poor hygiene:
"Peel it, cook it, grill it or forget it" (Peel it, boil it, grill it, or forget it)
Travelers should follow a few basic rules when consuming drinking water and food.
- Do not drink water from the aqueduct. Only take all drinks from sealed bottles, including when brushing your teeth. Open water bottles containing tap water are often served, especially in street restaurants. Do not use ice cubes.
- The consumption of fruit is only safe if it has been peeled. Pathogens that cannot be removed by washing alone often adhere to the shell. Avoid salads for the same reason. Do not buy food wrapped in plastic wrap, such as sliced fruit.
- The consumption of raw meat, seafood or vegetables is generally not recommended. Only heating kills the pathogens.
- It is best to avoid dairy products (including packaged goods) and frozen products. The cold chain is often interrupted during transport and storage.
- Caution is also advised in front of the cold buffet in the hotel; often the food is on the table for hours.
