Strategies in host-related special risks

Female travelers

For women who plan to travel alone on a long trip abroad, a gynecologic check-up before departure is recommended to avoid possible inconvenient or embarrassing experiences.

They should carry sufficient requirements of tampons, sanitary napkins, or pads, as in remote areas good quality products may not be available.

Female travelers

Women who prefer not to menstruate while abroad may take oral contraceptives continuously, without interruption between packs.

Such a solution may be beneficial for divers and swimmers to avoid attracting sharks, and also for visitors to game parks to avoid attracting animals.

Female travelers

In some eastern countries entry into some temples are prohibited to menstruating women.

If casual sex is a possibility, women should include condoms in their travel medical kit

Male travelers

A considerable proportion traveling alone will have casual sex, some unprotected

Men abuse alcohol more often They are more accident prone

because they take greater risks

Senior travelers Elderly travelers are less tolerant of hot

climates because of the reduced ability of peripheral blood vessels to dilate and the skin to perspire.

Senior travelers are less sensitive to thirst. They are more susceptible to fluid and

electrolyte disturbances from diarrhea. Jet lag and the adverse side-effects of

sedatives prescribed to counter jet lag both seen more frequently in the older population.

Senior travelers Impaired hearing and sight may cause failure to

detect approaching vehicles, and therefore elderly travelers driving cars are prone to greater accident risks.

There is an increased risk of falling and fracture, especially fractures of the hip.

Denture adhesive is often difficult to find in many countries, and travelers are advised to take along enough for the entire trip.

If a pure water source is not available, beer, soft drinks, or bottled mineral water can be used instead for a period of up to four weeks.