Raisingkids.co.uk's medical expert, Dr Malcolm McKenzie, has some advice for parents of intrepid gap year travellers.

Raisingkids member's problem
My daughter and her boyfriend travelling in Asia and South America during their gap year. Are there any health issues that they should be aware of?

Dr McKenzie's advice
Where do I start? There are so many things to consider. This is just a selection of issues you might want to mention to your daughter. Your GP will be able to give more specific advice, and I recommend you read my previous reply about injections for foreign travel too.

Firstly, sun and sunscreen. Very often, travellers head for hot destinations to make the most of the sun, but they should be aware of the risks. Your daughter and her boyfriend should protect themselves by using plenty of sunscreen and taking care not to get burnt in the sun. If they do get burnt, particularly if it happens regularly, they could be storing up trouble for the future. Sunglasses with a UV filter are also a good idea.

Remembering to drink enough fluids is another important issue - particularly if alcohol is being consumed. Dehydration and heatstroke can become a problem, and one that can be easily avoided if you keep hydrated and avoid the sun at the hottest times of day.

Avoid animal and insect bites - even if the animal isn't carrying anything nasty, wounds can get infected. In the case of an animal bite, seek immediate medical treatment. Rabies would be unlikely, not to mention unlucky, but better safe than sorry. One particular word of warning is about mosquito bites; if travelling to a country where malaria is present, your daughter should ask your GP for advice before she goes, use mosquito repellents, and sleep under a mosquito net, well tucked-in around the bed.

Personal food and hygiene is also very important - always wash hands after going to the lavatory and before eating food. A few good general rules about food include only eating food that is piping hot and avoiding anything that's been kept warm. Only eat uncooked food if you've peeled or shelled it yourself, and avoid unpasteurised milk. If you have any doubts about the water, don't drink it or use it for cleaning your teeth unless it has been boiled or purified with disinfectant tablets; alternatively, use only bottled water.

And lastly, but perhaps most importantly, make sure they have good medical insurance before they travel. If the worst should happen, they don't want to be landed with hefty medical bills on top of the misery of being ill while travelling.