London Staying Healthy

Common sense is the simplest prescription for good health while you travel. Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and wear sturdy, broken-in shoes and clean socks.

Food- And Water-Borne Diseases

While concern over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), better known as mad cow disease, and foot and mouth disease (FMD) has subsided over the past few years, as in any city, there is always a risk of food poisoning due to lack of cleanliness. Always wash fruits and vegetables bought at supermarkets, booths, and street markets. Make sure that red meat is completely cooked. Traveler’s diarrhea results from drinking contaminated water or eating uncooked and contaminated foods. Symptoms include nausea, bloating, and urgency. Try quick-energy, non-sugary foods with protein and carbohydrates to keep your strength up. Over-the-counter anti-diarrheals (e.g., Imodium) may counteract the problem.

Clean Kitchens. The mark of a clean restaurant kitchen is often how clean its bathroom is. Take a trip to the loo before ordering.

Other Infectious Diseases

AIDS and HIV: For detailed information on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in London, call the US CDC’s 24hr. hotline at ☎800-232-4636 or contact the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 20 Ave. Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (☎+41 22 791 3666; fax 22 791 4187; www.unaids.org).
Hepatitis B: A viral infection of the liver transmitted via blood or other bodily fluids. Symptoms, which may not surface until years after infection, include jaundice, appetite loss, fever, and joint pain. It is transmitted through unprotected sex and unclean needles. A 3-shot vaccination sequence is recommended for sexually active travelers and anyone planning to seek medical treatment abroad; it must begin 6 months before traveling.
Hepatitis C: Like Hepatitis B, but the mode of transmission differs. IV drug users, those with occupational exposure to blood, hemodialysis patients, and recipients of blood transfusions are at highest risk, but the disease can also be spread through sexual contact or sharing items like razors and toothbrushes. No symptoms are usually exhibited. Untreated Hepatitis C can lead to liver failure.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, herpes, and other STIs are easier to catch than HIV and can be just as deadly. Hepatitis B and C can also be transmitted sexually. Though condoms may protect you from some STIs, oral or even tactile contact can lead to transmission. If you think you may have contracted an STI, see a doctor immediately.

Other Health Concerns

Medical Care On The Road

Medical care in the UK is either part of the government-run National Health Service or is privately administered; doctors and hospitals often work for both NHS and private firms. EU citizens, citizens of many Commonwealth countries, and full-time students at British universities are eligible for free treatment from NHS. Many US health insurance plans (not Medicare) will cover emergency treatment abroad in private clinics, but you may be asked to pay up front and then apply for a reimbursement to your insurer. If you’re unsure whether you have medical coverage in the UK, it’s best to buy travel insurance before you leave. For a list of local hospitals and clinics in London, see Practical Information .

If you are concerned about obtaining medical assistance while traveling, you may wish to employ special support services. The MedPass from GlobalCare, Inc., 6875 Shiloh Rd. East, Alpharetta, GA 30005, USA (☎800-860-1111; www.globalcare.net), provides 24hr. international medical assistance, support, and evacuation resources. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT; US ☎716-754-4883, Canada 519-836-0102; www.iamat.org) has free membership, lists English-speaking doctors worldwide, and has detailed info on immunization requirements and sanitation. If your regular insurance policy does not cover travel abroad, you may wish to purchase additional coverage .

Those with medical conditions (such as diabetes, allergies to antibiotics, epilepsy, or heart conditions) may want to obtain a MedicAlert membership (US$40 per year), which includes, among other things, a stainless steel ID tag and a 24hr. collect-call number. Contact the MedicAlert Foundation International, 2323 Colorado Ave., Turlock, CA 95382, USA (☎888-633-4298, outside US ☎209-668-3333; www.medicalert.org).

Women’S Health

Tampons, pads, and contraceptive devices are widely available, though your favorite brand may not be stocked—bring extras of anything you can’t live without. Abortion is legal in the UK, subject to the consent of two doctors who must agree that each woman seeking an abortion complies with the wording of the original 1967 act legalizing abortion. For a list of women’s and sexual health clinics, see Practical Information .