General Hygiene

Practicalities Health Hygiene General Hygiene 

Though not necessarily dangerous, new places mean new bugs and small children's immune systems will not yet be in a position to fend off all of these very comfortably.

Do's and Don'ts

Do
Make sure hands are always washed before eating and as much as possible the rest of the time. Children can pick up worms from the soil in certain tropical zones for example. Carrying a clean, wet cloth for dirty fingers is one suggestion although use of an antiseptic would be more effective if you have serious concerns.
Do
For a baby sterilise water and utensils and follow all rules on hygiene scrupulously, This is particularly so if not breastfed and if older than the three months, before which time the mother's immunity is held to offer protection.
Do
Stick as far as possible to dishes the locals eat (this doesn't include tourist buffet versions) as the local cooks will understand how they need to be handled to avoid health problems.
Do
If at all concerned about cleanliness take your own set of eating and drinking items for children which you can wash in your own safe water afterwards. Dishwashing water can carry all kinds of problems.

Don't
Eat food which has been on a buffet or other display in warm weather, especially if there are flies and tepid dishes like casseroles which may have been kept warm for some time. (This can be an argument against taking a half board package holiday which often include buffet meals.
Don't
Eat shellfish unless you are sure that it is fresh and from clean water.
Don't
Eat salads, unpeeled fruit or other raw food unless you are certain it has been washed in clean water. You could simply peel them yourself after washing your hands carefully, or if self-catering wash in treated water. In all events think about avoiding large leaf items like lettuce and spinach which because of their surface area have a greater than average potential for carrying infection.
Don't
Take ice in drinks unless you are sure it is made with clean water and handled hygienically. (Hotels offer no guarantee of this.)
Don't
Eat ice cream unless you are sure it has been properly stored at low temperatures and if really worried stick to big name brands. In developing countries avoid other dairy products including custards and mayonnaise as well, as you can't be sure of hygiene standards.
Don't
Eat meat if you are in a country where you fear it might have been badly stored.
Don't
Swim in water you think is polluted.
Don't
Brush teeth using tap water unless you are happy it is safe.
Don't
Allow children to drink bath water.
Don't
Allow children to touch anything in public loos unless you give them the go-ahead. In some cases even the soap is best avoided.

Clean Water

In most developed European countries tap water is perfectly safe and the same is true of the vast majority of north America and Australasia, though you would have to be more careful in desert and wilderness areas. However, given that children may be affected by even relatively harmless local bugs, you might prefer to be safer.

Options include:

? Bottled Water generally safe though it is worth bearing in mind that in the UK at least higher levels of bacteria have been found in bottled water than are permitted in tap water. In addition, some bottled waters have a high mineral content considered unsuitable for small children and particularly for babies whose undeveloped system might have difficulty handling these. (One marker is to look for something with less than 20mg of sodium per litre). Do try to ensure that the seal has not been broken and if you have doubts go for fizzy rather than still as this is harder to fake cheaply.

? Boiling is generally considered the best purifying method but you need to boil for a full five minutes and some authorities suggest 10 for a baby though five minutes is generally considered sufficient and some experts reckon that it is enough to bring water to a rolling boil. Whichever you opt for it is reported that this method may not always kill cysts in the water. Note also that hotel kitchens may well not boil water as thoroughly as yu would like and may even simply heat rather than boil the water. In self-catering it can be relatively simple to do this yourself but some hotels will provide a kettle in your room if you explain your position in advance. One disadvantage is that you have to leave the boiled water to cool before using. If you buy a travel kettle it is useful to check that it will work to 100 and 200v. Travelextras sells one.

? Chemical Sterilisation is not ideal as chlorine is not guaranteed to kill giardia or amoebic cysts, and iodine, although thorough, is not suitable for under 12s or pregnant women. In addition to simply adding iodine to the water (which then needs to be left for 20 minutes) there is a treatment developed in the 1970s called iodinated resin treatment. Water is passed through iodinised resin beads which are reported to release small amounts of iodine into any viruses and bacteria encountered in the water. This is reported effective against viruses and bacteria but has a limited effect on protozoan cysts like giardia.

? Microfilters rely on small pores, measured in microns (one millionth of a metre) to trap bacteria and protozoa such as cholera and giardia. However, they do not remove viruses which are generally smaller than a micron and therefore pass through. Most manufacturers therefore suggest use in combination with iodine, which is not advisable which children (see above). Because the filters are so fine they clog easily.

? Combined Filter and Iodinated Resin Filters usually using a pump system for forcing water through both a filter and a sterilising cartridge using the iodinated resin treatment mentioned above. A carbon filter removes the taste of iodine. Combination filters are reported effective against all micro-organisms and because the filter is not as fine these are rather less likely to clog, though will still do so if you use water containing visible sediment and are best used in restaurants and cleaning suspect tap water.

Replacement filters are required after around 400 litres or in the case of the filter cap around two years. However, the iodinator, once wetted, will last only three months of disuse as the iodine tends to ‘gas off'.
The real problem for parents though is that, because involving iodine, traces may remain in the water so it may not be appropriate for children. An independent report int eh US found that this was an issue though some suppliers, notably Thirst Point report that this is being overcome. [Suppliers]. Whichever you use however, leaving the water to stand will help any remaining chemicals disperse.

? A stabilised oxygen solution, of a type similar to that used in some swimming pools in place of chlorine. A liquid concentrate of electrolytes of oxygen containing 5% oxygen and 5% ozone carrying mineral salts is added to water where it releases pure molecular oxygen which is reported to eliminate toxins and kill harmful viruses, fungi and anaerobic bacteria, without harming friendly, aerobic organisms. Pathogens reported destroyed include E-coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus, and salmonella. Usefully the produce is reported also useable in all liquids that may contain water including fruit juice, milk, coffee, tea and iced drinks, and can be used for washing fruit or vegetables to be eaten raw, as well as in water for brushing your teeth. Note however that use of this kind of product is not recommended during pregnancy.