Travel Health Websites
Getting sick in a foreign land is not exactly a very desirable experience. It is quite difficult to get help when the locals do not understand your language and most doctors in China speak very little English. However, there is good enough Internet infrastructure in the larger cities for you to check on health advices from your local medical authorities.
Most common travelers’ illnesses can be treated without consultation with a doctor. Simple over-the-counter medications and some practical treatment methods will be good enough to get you back into good health. However, there are also tips available in the websites of health organizations in your home country. Many of these websites also offer advices on the precautions you have to take when traveling to prevent yourself from falling ill, and the contacts of reputable western doctors or hospitals in the larger cities. Below is a list of medical websites of major countries and also international travel health links:
USA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – A subsidiary of the US Department of Health and Human Sciences with an exclusive section for travel health, which includes information on all diseases and countries of travel.
www.cdc.gov/travel/
Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada – This website offers very sound tips about precautions and prevention of health hazards during your travel. It is a government agency aimed at providing valuable information and services to meet the specific health needs of the Canadian public.
www.travelhealth.gc.ca
Japan
FOR Traveler’s Health (FORTH) – Exclusively dedicated to the health concerns of Japanese travelers, this website is complete with basic tips, maps and forum discussions.
www.forth.go.jp
England
Department of Health – This is the official website for the Department of Health of England and it comes with a very elaborate section on all the aspects of travel health, from planning your trip to finding medical assistance abroad.
www.dh.gov.uk
France
TravHealth – A very extensive coverage of travel health, including specific travel tips for every country. There are also travel health kits on sale here.
www.travhealth.fr
Spain
Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo – The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs website has a host of travel health articles that provide essential information for travelers.
www.msc.es
Germany
Reisemediziniches Zentrum – This is a very detailed travel health site for German travelers, with country search for major diseases and useful tips on how to stay healthy during your travels.
www.gesundes-reisen.org
Italy
Viaggi Salute & Sicurezza – Italy’s major website on travel health offers all the information you need on the subject, with an interesting map-click search for country specific health tips.
www.marciosoft.it
International
MD Travel Health – One of the major authorities in travel health, this website features contributions by Dr. David Goldberg, a contributor to the Lonely Planet guide books. The travel health tips here are given by physicians with first-hand experience of health management during travel.
www.mdtravelhealth.com