Sante Voyage
Vaccines by destination
See a doctor or international vaccination centre at least 6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines require multiple spaced injections.
| Country | Mandatory | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇭Thailande | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis |
| 🇻🇳Vietnam | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies |
| 🇮🇩Indonesie | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis |
| 🇮🇳Inde | None (Yellow Fever if transiting through Africa) | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, Polio |
| 🇰🇭Cambodge | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis |
| 🇵🇭Philippines | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies |
| 🇱🇰Sri Lanka | None (Yellow Fever if transiting through Africa) | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis |
| 🇳🇵Nepal | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis |
| 🇲🇾Malaisie | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid |
| 🇨🇳Chine | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis |
| 🇯🇵Japon | None | Japanese Encephalitis (rural areas in summer) |
| 🇧🇷Bresil | Yellow Fever (Amazon regions) | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies |
| 🇨🇴Colombie | Yellow Fever (rural areas below 1,800m) | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies |
| 🇵🇪Perou | Yellow Fever (Amazon region) | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies |
| 🇧🇴Bolivie | Yellow Fever (tropical zones) | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies |
| 🇲🇽Mexique | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid |
| 🇨🇷Costa Rica | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid |
| 🇦🇷Argentine | Yellow Fever (northeast) | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B |
| 🇰🇪Kenya | Yellow Fever | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Meningitis |
| 🇹🇿Tanzanie | Yellow Fever | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Meningitis |
| 🇿🇦Afrique du Sud | None (Yellow Fever if transiting through endemic zone) | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies |
| 🇸🇳Senegal | Yellow Fever | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Meningitis |
| 🇲🇬Madagascar | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Plague (rural areas) |
| 🇲🇦Maroc | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid |
| 🇪🇬Egypte | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies |
| 🇹🇷Turquie | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B |
| 🇯🇴Jordanie | None | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid |
| 🇺🇸Etats-Unis | None | Up to date DTP, MMR |
| 🇦🇺Australie | None | Up to date DTP, MMR |
| 🇳🇿Nouvelle-Zelande | None | Up to date DTP, MMR |
Data for guidance only. Recommendations change — check with your doctor or official government sources before departure.
Travel medical kit
A well-prepared kit saves a lot of stress. Adapt it to your destination and trip duration. Always carry the corresponding prescriptions.
Pain and fever
- Paracetamol (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Aspirin
Digestive disorders
- Anti-diarrhoea (Imodium)
- Oral rehydration sachets (ORS)
- Intestinal antiseptic (Ercefuryl)
- Anti-emetic (Vogalene)
Allergies and bites
- Antihistamine (Cetirizine)
- Mild corticoid cream
- Venom extractor
- Insect repellent (DEET 50%)
Infections and wounds
- Antiseptic (Betadine or Chlorhexidine)
- Sterile compresses
- Assorted plasters
- Adhesive strips (Steri-Strips)
- Broad-spectrum antibiotic (prescription)
Eyes and ENT
- Antiseptic eye drops
- Ear drops
- Decongestant nasal spray
Prevention
- SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Condoms
- Water purification tablets (Micropur)
- Insecticide-treated mosquito net (risk areas)
Motion sickness and altitude
- Dramamine or Bonine
- Diamox (altitude, prescription)
- Ear plugs for flying
Miscellaneous
- Digital thermometer
- Tweezers
- Round-tip scissors
- Copy of prescriptions (in English if possible)
Drinking water by country
The leading cause of illness while travelling is contaminated water. When in doubt, always opt for sealed bottled or purified water.
| Country | Drinkable? | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japon | Yes | Tap water is safe throughout the country. |
| 🇦🇺Australie | Yes | Drinkable everywhere except very remote areas. |
| 🇳🇿Nouvelle-Zelande | Yes | Excellent quality throughout the country. |
| 🇺🇸Etats-Unis | Yes | Drinkable except for local exceptions (Flint, rural areas). |
| 🇰🇷Coree du Sud | Yes | Technically drinkable, but locals prefer filtered water. |
| 🇦🇪Emirats arabes unis | Yes | Desalinated water is safe, sometimes metallic taste. |
| 🇹🇭Thailande | No | Drink only bottled or filtered water. Avoid ice in small establishments. |
| 🇻🇳Vietnam | No | Tap water is not drinkable. Sealed bottles or boiled water only. |
| 🇮🇩Indonesie | No | Never drink tap water. Watch out for fruit juices diluted with water and ice. |
| 🇮🇳Inde | No | Tap water is dangerous. Check that bottles are sealed (common scam). |
| 🇰🇭Cambodge | No | Bottled water mandatory. Portable filters recommended outside cities. |
| 🇳🇵Nepal | No | Water is not drinkable. On treks, use purification tablets or a filter (SteriPen, LifeStraw). |
| 🇵🇭Philippines | No | Tap water not recommended even in major cities. |
| 🇪🇬Egypte | No | Tap water is chlorinated but not recommended for tourists. Bottles only. |
| 🇲🇦Maroc | Variable | Drinkable in major cities (Casablanca, Rabat). Bottles recommended elsewhere. |
| 🇲🇽Mexique | No | Do not drink tap water. Watch out for raw vegetables washed with local water. |
| 🇧🇷Bresil | Variable | Drinkable in major cities (Sao Paulo, Rio). Bottles outside urban centres. |
| 🇨🇴Colombie | Variable | Drinkable in Bogota and Medellin. Bottles recommended on the coast and in rural areas. |
| 🇵🇪Perou | No | Water is not drinkable in most of the country. Bottles or filtration. |
| 🇰🇪Kenya | No | Tap water is dangerous. Bottled or boiled water only. |
| 🇹🇿Tanzanie | No | Never drink tap water. Bring purification tablets for safaris. |
| 🇹🇷Turquie | Variable | Technically treated in Istanbul, but locals drink bottled water. Recommended. |
| 🇸🇳Senegal | No | Drinkable in Dakar (SONES network) but bottles recommended as a precaution. Not drinkable elsewhere. |
| 🇱🇰Sri Lanka | No | Tap water is not drinkable. Bottles or filtration. |
| 🇲🇬Madagascar | No | Water is not drinkable. Essential to purify or buy bottles. |
Tropical diseases
Knowing the risks already reduces them. Here are the most common diseases among travellers and how to protect yourself.
Malaria
Transmission
Anopheles mosquito bite (active at night, from dusk to dawn)
Risk areas
Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia (rural areas), Amazon, India
Symptoms
High fever, chills, sweats, headache, muscle pain. Onset 7 to 30 days after the bite.
Prevention
- Anti-malarial treatment (Malarone, Doxycycline, Lariam) to start before departure
- DEET 50% repellent on exposed skin from dusk
- Long, light-coloured clothing in the evening
- Permethrin-treated mosquito net for sleeping
- Avoid areas of standing water
When to seek emergency care
Any fever within 3 months of returning from a risk area should raise suspicion of malaria. Seek emergency care.
Dengue
Transmission
Aedes mosquito bite (active during the day, especially morning and late afternoon)
Risk areas
Southeast Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Africa, India, Oceania
Symptoms
Sudden fever, intense joint pain ('breakbone fever'), headache, skin rash. Risk of haemorrhagic form.
Prevention
- DEET 50% repellent during the day
- Covering clothing even during the day
- Avoid standing water (flowerpots, tyres, gutters)
- No preventive treatment — only anti-mosquito protection
- Dengvaxia vaccine possible if prior infection confirmed
When to seek emergency care
If fever + intense joint pain: see a doctor. Never take aspirin or ibuprofen (haemorrhagic risk). Paracetamol only.
Traveller's diarrhoea (Turista)
Transmission
Contaminated water or food (E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella bacteria)
Risk areas
Asia, Africa, Latin America, Middle East — anywhere food hygiene is uncertain
Symptoms
Watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, sometimes mild fever. Usually lasts 2 to 5 days.
Prevention
- Drink only sealed bottled or purified water
- Avoid raw vegetables, salads, and unpeeled fruit
- Avoid ice of uncertain origin
- Wash hands with soap or hand sanitiser before every meal
- Prefer cooked food served hot
- Bring oral rehydration sachets
When to seek emergency care
See a doctor if: blood in stools, persistent fever > 38.5C, dehydration (dizziness, dark urine), diarrhoea > 5 days.
Chikungunya
Transmission
Aedes mosquito bite (same vector as dengue)
Risk areas
Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean, Africa, Latin America, Caribbean
Symptoms
High fever, debilitating joint pain (hands, feet, knees), skin rash. Joint pain can persist for months.
Prevention
- Same measures as dengue: repellent, covering clothing
- No vaccine or preventive treatment available
When to seek emergency care
See a doctor promptly. Symptomatic treatment (paracetamol). Rest and hydration.
Typhoid fever
Transmission
Contaminated water or food (Salmonella typhi bacteria)
Risk areas
South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan), Africa, Latin America
Symptoms
Progressive fever, headache, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea. Without treatment, serious complications possible.
Prevention
- Recommended vaccine (Typhim Vi or Vivotif) before departure
- Same food precautions as for traveller's diarrhoea
- Rigorous hand hygiene
When to seek emergency care
Prolonged fever + intense fatigue in an endemic area: see a doctor. Antibiotic treatment required.
Mental health while travelling
We talk a lot about vaccines and mosquitoes, rarely about what goes on in your head. Yet mental health is at the heart of the travel experience.
Solo travel loneliness
Travelling alone is an extraordinary experience, but loneliness can hit in waves. After the euphoria of the first days, it's normal to feel emptiness when there's nobody to share a sunset with. Stay in touch with loved ones, join social hostels, take part in group activities, and accept that these moments of loneliness are part of the journey. They also build precious resilience.
Perpetual travel fatigue
Chaining destinations, transport, new languages, and daily decisions exhausts the brain. It's 'travel burnout'. Give yourself breaks: stay several days in the same place, plan nothing, do laundry, cook. Travelling slowly isn't wasting time — it's preserving your energy to better appreciate what comes next.
Jet lag
Crossing several time zones desynchronises your internal clock. Symptoms: insomnia, daytime drowsiness, irritability, digestive issues. To limit the effects: expose yourself to natural light upon arrival, avoid napping on the first day, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol on the plane. Allow roughly 1 day of recovery per time zone crossed.
Anxiety and culture shock
Finding yourself in a country where everything is different — the language, social codes, food, smells — can generate intense stress. Culture shock often follows 4 phases: honeymoon, frustration, adaptation, mastery. During the frustration phase, be kind to yourself. Keeping a journal, talking to other travellers, and maintaining familiar touchpoints (music, calling a loved one) helps get through this period.
Post-travel blues
Coming back is often harder than leaving. You've changed, but your daily environment is the same. Routine can seem dull after the intensity of travel. This is normal and temporary. Take time to digest the experience, sort your photos, write about your trip, reconnect with fellow travellers. And start planning the next one — it helps.
Travel with peace of mind with Orizn
Spots, connections, practical guides — everything you need for your next trip.
Discover Orizn