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mountainous regions may not need to be immunized for yellow fever, but be aware that some countries, such as Australia, will not let you into the country if you’re flying direct from Colombia without a yellow-fever vaccine. Check your country’s government health information for specifics. No other vaccines are legally mandated, but the vaccines on Click here are strongly recommended.

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MEDICAL CHECKLIST

Colombian pharmacies stock all kinds of drugs, and medication can be cheaper than in Western countries. There are few restricted drugs; almost everything is sold over the counter. Many drugs are manufactured locally under foreign license. Be sure to check expiry dates.

adhesive or paper tape

altitude sickness pills (acetazolamide or dexamethasone)

antibacterial ointment (eg Bactroban) for cuts and abrasions

antibiotics

antidiarrheal drugs (eg loperamide)

antihistamines (for hay fever and allergic reactions)

anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen)

bandages, gauze, gauze rolls

DEET-containing insect repellent for the skin

iodine tablets (for water purification)

motion sickness pills (eg Dramamine)

oral rehydration salts

permethrin-containing insect spray for clothing, tents and bed nets

pocket knife

scissors, safety pins, tweezers

steroid cream or cortisone (for poison ivy and other allergic rashes)

sunblock

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VACCINATIONS

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INTERNET RESOURCES & BOOKS

A good place to start is the Lonely Planet website (www.lonelyplanet.com). The World Health Organization publishes a superb book, International Travel and Health, which is revised annually and is available online at no cost at www.who.int/ith.

If you plan to travel in remote areas, you might consider taking a health guide such as Lonely Planet’s Healthy Travel Central & South America or Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa & Latin America by Dirk Schroeder.

IN TRANSIT

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DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)

Blood clots may form in the legs during plane flights. Most are reabsorbed uneventfully, but some may break off and travel through the blood vessels to the lungs, where they could cause complications.

The chief symptom of DVT is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle or calf, usually but not always on just one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing.

To prevent the development of DVT on long flights you should walk about the cabin, perform isometric compressions of the leg muscles (ie contract the leg muscles while sitting), drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol.

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JET LAG & MOTION SICKNESS

Jet lag is common when crossing more than five time zones, resulting in insomnia, fatigue, malaise or nausea. To avoid jet lag try drinking plenty of fluids (nonalcoholic) and eating light meals. Upon arrival, get exposure to natural sunlight and readjust your schedule (for meals, sleep etc) as soon as possible.

Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) are usually the first choice for treating motion sickness. Their main side-effect is drowsiness. An herbal alternative is ginger, which works like a charm for some people.

IN COLOMBIA

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AVAILABILITY & COST OF HEALTH CARE

Adequate medical care is available in major cities, but may be difficult to find in rural areas. For an online guide to physicians, dentists, hospitals and pharmacies in Colombia, go to the US embassy website at http://bogota.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/medservices.pdf. Most doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash, even if you have travel health insurance.

If you develop a life-threatening medical problem, you’ll probably want to be evacuated to a country with state-of-the-art medical care. For air ambulance service in Colombia, call Aeromedicos ( 1 413 9160, 413 8915; Ambulancia Aerea, El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá, entrada 2, int 1, oficina 105).

Since this