It may not be much fun to think about sickness, but what you organise now may be the making of your holiday. Please do not think the world is a big scary place; in many situations we are giving you worst case scenarios, but forewarned is forearmed so read on (oh, and we're not doctors so please treat this information as general advice only ).

Before you leave - Good place to start is with your local GP; they usually have up-to-date information on what vaccines are required where and can advise you when they can be taken and in what order. It is best to give your Doc as much notice as possible as not all vaccines can be taken together; others may need boosters. Malaria protection is another issue you need to check. Make sure you keep a record of your jabs, especially your yellow fever certificate, as some countries insist on seeing this before they let you in.

There are a number of specialist travel health clinics also with one of the best being Travel Clinics Australia, an association of GP's who have a particular speciality in travel medicine.

innoculations that you might need to consider include:

For country specific advice try this useful site.

Its a really good idea to go to a dentist for a check up before you go travelling. Again, make sure you go in plenty of time in case you need a few appointments and check your travel insurance as dental cover is often scanty with some policies.

Taking your own medical kit is a good idea. It is becoming increasingly popular to take your own sterile needle kit especially if you are travelling to areas with high HIV and hepatitis rates - sadly, this includes most of Africa and Asia. These kits include sterile syringes that can be used by medical staff if need be. Tweezers come in handy as do band aids and a bandage. Alcohol wipes are a good way to disinfect small cuts. Rehydration sachets are a must (and really good for hangovers). Imodium tablets to stop diarrhoea can be handy. If you are going to sunny climates, remember the sun cream. Antiseptic hand gel is always great to have with you; It may dry your hands out, but can be a life saver if there is nowhere to wash your hands.

If you have existing medical conditions, where possible, it is a good idea to take as much medication as you are going to need. It is a good idea to carry potions separately (some in your hand luggage, some in your check in luggage) and if you are travelling with a friend, give them some too. Always know exactly what medication you are taking including its chemical/generic name and have a letter from your GP explaining your condition to help you avoid any issues with customs.

Travel Insurance is essential. No one is immune to all illness and accidents happen. You need an insurance cover that gives full medical coverage including medical evacuation to Australia if necessary. Sure its a grudge purchase like all insurance but you cannot afford not to. World Nomads offer a budget travellers policy that won't blow your budget.

On the plane - long plane trips can take it out of you and if you are arriving at a new destination, you really want to have your wits about you. It is not possible to avoid the effects of changing time zones altogether, but here are some handy tips to help you along the way.

Drinking plenty of water is essential. A lot of airlines will not allow you to carry water or water bottles any more so you are going to have to pester the crew. Most aircraft have water dispensers outside the toilet area as well. Sadly, alcohol and caffeine are not going to help; in fact they will only make the dehydration worse. Pick the lightest meals on offer so you are not sitting on the aircraft all full and bloated. This will also make it easier to sleep.  

Everyone will tell you now that it is important to stretch and keep moving when travelling on long haul flights to avoid DVT. Some airlines have information about this in their inflight magazines; otherwise try rotating your ankles and wrists, lift and drop your shoulders, scrunch and stretch your fingers and toes every time you think of it when sitting. When you go to the toilet, take the long way around for a bit more of a walk and do some stretching while you wait in line. It does not matter if you feel silly; you will not see the other people on the flight again. 

The only way to help with jet lag is natural light. As soon as possible, get out into the day light and do some exercise. Your body will adjust a lot quicker this way. Try and avoid daytime naps; go to bed instead at the appropriate time at your destination. If you can, try and book the first few nights’ accommodation so you can rest. Jet lag can be really stressful so leaving a few days to recover before heading off on more travels can make the rest of the trip a lot easier.

Food and drink - nearly everyone gets some bug or other when they are away. It is often no big deal, but sometimes these illnesses can get out of hand and this is why we always preach prevention rather than cure. 

The temptation to eat from the local food stalls and markets can be great, but you really must take care as often this food is prepared in less than hygienic ways. Here are some hints to guide you:

• Always ask yourself “is the food freshly prepared and well cooked and piping hot”.
• Wash your hands before eating. Often it is as much the friction of rubbing your hands together that helps get rid of the germs as it is the soap and hot water.
• Avoid salads where the ingredients have probably been washed in local water.
• If you cannot see the ocean, it is probably a good idea to avoid seafood.
• Peel all fruit.
• Try to not eat from buffets as you have no idea how long the food has been lying around.
• Rice is notorious for causing food poisoning so only eat what you see freshly cooked.
• Avoid dairy products that could have either melted (ice cream, butter) and been reset or left out of refrigeration for a period of time.

If you are unable to filter (pour through a cloth) and boil water then bottled water is best. Only accept bottles where the lid is properly sealed and you have checked it has not been tampered with. There are purification tablets you can take with you such as Iodine and Chlorine and these can be very effective at cleaning water but some people have an issue with the taste so it is better to try them out before you go. Never accept ice in your drink either as this is a sure-fire way to get caught out.

When all else fails and you still get sick it is important to manage diarrhoea correctly.  You must keep yourself hydrated by drinking fresh rehydration solutions. You can make your own by adding some sugar and a little salt to sterile water if need be. You should drink a full glass after every visit to the toilet. Try not to resort straight away to the drugs - your much less likely to have continual tummy problems if you let your body adapt relatively naturally. Using medication to stop diarrhoea can be a must on long plane or bus trips but you should not use them long term. As soon as you arrive somewhere, rest for a few days to let nature take its course. If you have a fever or blood in your stool or have prolonged severe diarrhoea, you should see a doctor.

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