Travellers urged to take care with water sources

Marc Shaw says the single most common complaint from returning travellers is they have suffered from a stomach upset, diarrhoea, or "Delhi Belly"-style bug which has laid them up at some stage during a holiday.

He says that in developing countries or outlying areas food and water may be unsanitary.

One hidden danger for travellers is ice. Dr Shaw says many travellers manage to avoid drinking water, but buy a drink with ice cubes tinkling in it.

There is no easy way to avoid stomach upsets, though Dr Shaw advises caution when it comes to shellfish and seafood and fruit and vegetables.

Often they have been washed and prepared in local water.

He advises travellers to "cook it, peel it, boil it or avoid it".

If possible, drink bottled water. Check the seal on the bottle before you drink. And check the bottom of the bottle for small marks. Dr Shaw says he has heard of a practice where a syringe is used to remove the bottled water, and then local water is injected in.

Dr Shaw has heard of people who swear by drinking the water, and eating dubious foods in order to get stomach bugs "over and done with".

"People have travelled to these places and not had stomach bugs or diarrhoea so it can happen. I would never suggest people subject their bodies to illness when they might not get anything after all."