Before You go
Check with your physician for the latest news on the need for
malaria prophylaxis and recommended vaccinations before leaving
home. Frequently considered vaccines are: Diphtheria, Pertussis
and Tetanus (DPT); Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); and oral
Polio vaccine. Gamma Globulin every four months for Hepatitis
A is recommended. For longer stays many doctors recommend vaccination
to protect against Hepatitis B requiring a series of shots over
the course of 7 months. Vaccinations for smallpox and cholera
are no longer required, except for visitors coming from infected
areas. A cholera vaccination is recommended for travel in outlying
areas, but it is only 50% effective.
Find out the generic names for whatever prescription medications
you are likely to need as most are available in Indonesia but
not under the same brand names as they are known at home. Get
copies of doctors' prescriptions for the medications you bring
into Indonesia to avoid questions at the customs desk. Those who
wear spectacles should bring along prescriptions.
Hygiene
Hygiene cannot be taken for granted in Indonesia. Away from the
tourist areas few places have running water or sewerage. Most
water comes from wells, and raw sewerage goes into the ground
or the rivers. Tap water is not potable and must be boiled.
Most cases of stomach complaints are attributable to your system
not being used to the strange foods and stray bacteria. To make
sure you do not get something more serious, take the following
precautions:
Never drink unboiled water from a well, tap or bak mandi (bath
tub). Brush your teeth only with boiled or bottled water, never
with water from the tap or bak mandi. Bottled water is available
everywhere and usually called "Aqua", which is the most
popular and reliable brand name.
Ice in Bali is made in government-regulated factories and is deemed
safe for local immunities. Confirm that the ice is made from boiled
water before relaxing with an ice drink.
Plates, glasses and silverware are washed in un boiled water and
need to be completely dry before use.
Fruits and vegetables without skins pose a higher risk of contamination.
To avoid contamination by food handlers, buy fruits in the market
and peel them yourself.
To mandi (bathe) two or three times a day is a great way to stay
cool and fresh. But be sure to dry yourself well and you may wish
to apply a medicated body powder, such as Purol, to avoid the
unpleasantness of skin fungus, especially during the rainy season
from November to April. |
