Health and Medical
It is advisable to carry with you basic medical and contact information for emergency purposes. If you are taking medication, bring along an ample supply and make sure you have the generic name just in case. Please consult you physical for immunizations you may need. Generally, for the area we are going in northern China, immunizations are similar to what is recommended in the United States.
It is also advisable to obtain evacuation insurance such as SOS or equivalent. SOS can be obtained by going to their website. Google will find it for you quickly.
Do not forget to bring any prescribed medications or hygienic necessities. While drug stores are available in China, keep in mind that we will be on the move and running a tight schedule. So please stock up on medical and hygienic items you will need in SMALL packaging. Some things to consider bringing:
- Tissues and moist towelettes (in portage packages)
- Multiple packages of tissue (the small pocket size) for use in toilet's
- Waterless anti-bacterial hand cleaner (SMALL container)
- Necessary prescription medication and list of generic names
- Common medications including aspirin, antacid, eyewash, decongestants, cough syrup or throat lozenges etc.
- Medication for diarrhea and constipation
- Bandaids, q-tips
- A SMALL first-aid kit -- really small of basics that may include some of above.
If you run out of an item or forget something in your hotel room, chances are your colleagues will be supplied. Western toliets will be available in the hotels but chances are very good that the schools you visit will be the Asian squat style so be prepared. You will need to bring you own tissues. Tissues are not available in public bathrooms. Tissues are placed in a small basket and not in the the commode! The concept of privacy in public areas is different than in the United States. Sometimes the bathrooms are not as enclosed as we are used to. Don't worry people do respect space. This should be rare but just in case ........... Don't be surprised if the public bathrooms are a bit gross.
Probably the most important health consideration is to drink clean water. This is true in many countries including our own. Do not drink any tap water! Drink bottled water. Your hotel room may have a large container of hot water that has been boiled. You can use that to make tea -- the tea bags will be there too! Bottled water will probably be in the hotel room as well. Bottled water is everywhere and very easy to purchase. We will have cases of water on the bus at all times. The water provided in restaurants should be okay. I suggest that you brush your teeth and clean your brush with bottled water.
The key to good health is to get as much rest as you can, drink bottled water, and relax. There will be no reason to be anxious about China. You will be surrounded by your colleagues or Chinese hosts and you will taken care of.
It is also advisable to obtain evacuation insurance such as SOS or equivalent. SOS can be obtained by going to their website. Google will find it for you quickly.
Do not forget to bring any prescribed medications or hygienic necessities. While drug stores are available in China, keep in mind that we will be on the move and running a tight schedule. So please stock up on medical and hygienic items you will need in SMALL packaging. Some things to consider bringing:
- Tissues and moist towelettes (in portage packages)
- Multiple packages of tissue (the small pocket size) for use in toilet's
- Waterless anti-bacterial hand cleaner (SMALL container)
- Necessary prescription medication and list of generic names
- Common medications including aspirin, antacid, eyewash, decongestants, cough syrup or throat lozenges etc.
- Medication for diarrhea and constipation
- Bandaids, q-tips
- A SMALL first-aid kit -- really small of basics that may include some of above.
If you run out of an item or forget something in your hotel room, chances are your colleagues will be supplied. Western toliets will be available in the hotels but chances are very good that the schools you visit will be the Asian squat style so be prepared. You will need to bring you own tissues. Tissues are not available in public bathrooms. Tissues are placed in a small basket and not in the the commode! The concept of privacy in public areas is different than in the United States. Sometimes the bathrooms are not as enclosed as we are used to. Don't worry people do respect space. This should be rare but just in case ........... Don't be surprised if the public bathrooms are a bit gross.
Probably the most important health consideration is to drink clean water. This is true in many countries including our own. Do not drink any tap water! Drink bottled water. Your hotel room may have a large container of hot water that has been boiled. You can use that to make tea -- the tea bags will be there too! Bottled water will probably be in the hotel room as well. Bottled water is everywhere and very easy to purchase. We will have cases of water on the bus at all times. The water provided in restaurants should be okay. I suggest that you brush your teeth and clean your brush with bottled water.
The key to good health is to get as much rest as you can, drink bottled water, and relax. There will be no reason to be anxious about China. You will be surrounded by your colleagues or Chinese hosts and you will taken care of.
posted by Daniel at
5:32 PM
