Having spent the best part of the year looking forward to your much needed holiday, the last thing you want is to have to spend part, or all of it, in your hotel or apartment complex. Wherever there are crowds, there is the risk of contracting some nasty little bug. Colds, flu, stomach upsets, and worse, can strike at any time. Here are a few suggestions to help keep you in good travel health while on holiday.

Pre-holiday checks.

If your chosen destination is one of the summer hotspots of Europe, you won’t require any additional vaccinations. However, if you’re visiting more exotic climes such as countries in Africa, South America, or East Asia, you may need a jab or course of medication before travelling. Have a look at the NHS Fit For Travel site for more information or contact your local health centre with details of where you are going. Some inoculations can make you feel unwell for a few days, so don’t leave it until the last minute.

Organise a first-aid kit.

No-one wants to walk around looking like a mobile dispensary, especially when on holiday. So packing a few of the basics is always a good idea. Consider plasters, antiseptic cream, pain killers, spray or cream insect repellents, anti-histamine tablets for insect bites, diarrhoea tablets, and wet-wipes with at least 50% alcohol.  If you take prescription medication, make sure to stock up on your medicines. You may check prescription prices, order your medicines online and get them delivered before your departure. Medicines at hand may help in avoiding a visit to the ER.

Be sure to keep hydrated.

Making sure your body stays fully hydrated is of paramount importance if you want to enjoy the best of travel health, especially so if you are holidaying in the warmer Mediterranean countries. Those niggly headaches you regularly suffer on holiday are often the first sign that your body is dehydrated. Always carry a bottle of water and take regular sips to replace lost fluids and try to follow guidelines on water intake.

Most of us enjoy an evening drink on holiday, and why not. Try to keep it in moderation, and be sure to drink at least a pint of water on returning to your hotel room or apartment, to minimise the morning after effects.

It’s not just food that can upset your stomach.

Probably the biggest culprit of ruined holidays is the notorious stomach bug. The warmer the climate, the greater the risk. Montezuma’s revenge, the trots, Delhi-belly, call it what you will. It can lay you out for days at a time, and severe cases can even lead to hospitalisation. It’s not necessarily food that can trigger an upset stomach. Public loos, or communal toilets on your holiday complex, are favourite breeding grounds. Even after washing your hands, give them a good wipe over with your wet-wipes.

Most hotels are used to catering for northern Europeans. Even so, food preparation often varies. For instance, many Mediterranean countries use a lot of olive oil in their cooking, which is often enough to temporarily change your toilet habits. When in an unknown area, spend a couple of days scoping out the restaurants before eating out. Choose eateries that are always busy. This generally points to good food and return customers.

Don’t rush around – you can always book another holiday.

It’s never a good idea to book your seven, ten, or fourteen-day holiday, and then plan to visit somewhere different every day. Within a few days tiredness will set in, the novelty will wear off, and the excitement will start to wane. Spending a day or two sightseeing or exploring, and then a day chilling locally, or around the pool, will recharge the batteries and provide new energy for your next day trip out.

Finally, it’s always a good idea to befriend your hotel staff or receptionist. They will be a mine of information for places to visit or eat, and places to avoid. They will also be able to point you in the direction of those little hidden gems you would never find otherwise.