Ask Away: Sickness anxiety ruining travel

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Eleanor Barker answers your travel questions.

I get anxious when travelling. It's mostly fear of being ill while away, which perpetuates itself with runny bum through anxiety. I've got a long-haul holiday next year and I want to enjoy it without feeling bloody anxious and annoyed with myself. Any pearls of wisdom?
-Anon

The first thing to note is that a bit of fear before travelling is extremely normal. I am a travel writer and I still get a wobbly tummy before a big adventure. Humans are animals and many of us regularly travel far from our natural habitat - very unnatural when you think about it!

Some practical advice: if you can safely brush your teeth with tap water, not bottled water, it will build up your immunity to local bugs. If the water isn't safe enough to drink, it isn't safe enough to brush your teeth. Look at general vaccine advice and food and water precautions for your destinations at cdc.gov/travel.

Take hand gel and a packet of Imodium for short-term diarrhoea (you can buy loperamide from pharmacies and supermarkets or you can get it on prescription). If I am going off the beaten track I sometimes take a pack of baby wipes but think I've only needed them for my own disgusting hands so far. Face masks are great for confined spaces.

Food-wise, you can avoid things with a higher risk of food poisoning such as chicken, salads of indeterminate age and shellfish. But, generally, if you have checked reviews online there isn't much to worry about. A more common travel ailment is an ear infection, which is usually from pools. Knowing the risks and taking steps to protect yourself from diseases can greatly reduce or even eliminate your chances of contracting something while you're traveling. Even something as simple as always remembering to use bug spray and wear proper clothing can go a long way towards preventing illness.

Talk to your doctor at least four to six weeks before your trip. Your regular practitioner will be able to give you some vaccines, but sometimes they will need to send you to a specialist. Discuss your itinerary with your doctor so they know where you're going, and they can recommend vaccines. The CDC website should guide your consultation.

With all that said, if anxiety is a big part of your life and you simply "put up with it", it may be a good time to consider seeking medical help. Therapy can help you figure out how objectively severe your symptoms are, and if a referral to a diagnosing psychiatrist is appropriate. Many people think lifelong anxieties are just part and parcel of life; I disagree. Help is often available and may unexpectedly improve several areas of your life.