Travel health on your gap year - after you leave

The day of your flight

If you traverse one or more time zones on your flight, you might be susceptible to jetlag. NASA suggests that every time zone you cross takes a day to recover from. Here are some tips to prevent jetlag:

1. Don’t drink! Yes, a beer at 20,000 feet does taste different than when you’re on solid ground, because it has a quicker effect on your body. But when fatigue meets a hangover the only possible result is discomfort. To be at your best on arrival, don’t drink on the flight. Instead, drink lots of water – you’ll be able to fight dehydration headaches.

2. Give yourself time to relax at the airport before flying, preparing your body for a long time at rest. During your flight, take regular strolls around the cabin: you’ll annoy the hell out of other passengers but they’ll be the ones with eye-bags at customs.

3. When you arrive, try to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime: flopping into a hostel bed at 2pm doesn’t bode well for your first full day.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is commonly known as the curse of economy flights. But whether in business or ordinary class, anyone can get it on a long flight and it can be dangerous. Fortunately, it’s quite rare, but you can lessen your risk by:

1. Taking regular doses of aspirin – a blood-thinning agent – for 24 hours before you fly.

2. Moving frequently on your flight – take regular walks in the cabin and flex your legs and feet frequently. DVT is essentially blood clots which are caused by immobility.

3. Using flight socks to improve circulation to your legs, and keeping your thighs off the seat when you can.

When you arrive

If you’re staying in one part of the country for some time, find out where the nearest medical centres are. Get telephone numbers in case of an emergency. Keep your insurance documents and helpline numbers somewhere safe. Wherever you’re going, keep the following advice in mind:

1. Malaria precautions: If you’re travelling to an at-risk country, take all the precautions you can against malaria, which is carried by female mosquitoes. They come out after sunset, so cover up and avoid outdoor eating places. Keep a mosquito net, long, loose clothing, and good insect repellent. If you develop a fever head straight for a medical centre – malaria can take hold very swiftly. Visit malariahotspots.co.uk for more information about malaria and how to avoid it.

2. Drinking water: It is recommended to drink bottled water in many places (check a travel guide or ask your GP). Make sure the bottles are sealed. Where necessary, you can rid water of any infection-causing nasties by bringing it to the boil, and letting it bubble for at least a minute. You can also purify water using iodine tablets, which destroy bacteria. If you’re in a country where tap water isn’t recommended, then be careful with salad and fruit too – it might have been washed under a tap. Only eat fruit that you open yourself, and avoid uncooked salad dishes.

3. Stay safe - use condoms: You didn’t go abroad to build up a personal catalogue of STDs. Stay safe using contraception – the oral pill isn’t sufficient in many of the world’s favourite backpacker destinations, and HIV is an extremely widespread virus in Africa and beyond.

iGapYear is a comprehensive resource packed with information on every Gap Year destination. Read more content using the links opposite, or click Destinations to find out more about the countries.