How I came to write The Essential Guide to Travel Health (Bugs Bites & Bowels) The original idea for the book came from Laura Fleminger who was then a literary agent at Peters Fraser & Dunlop. She heard me talk at a symposium on expedtions at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington. Laura convinced me that I was capable of writing an antidote to the professorial style of the only other guide at the time, Travellers Health. So, with some trepidation at setting up in competition to a host of boffins, I began work on my first comprehensive health guide for remote places. I had by then acted as medical officer on expeditions to the Himalayan region, Madagascar (twice) and Peru and had lived in several remote corners of rural Asia (Ladakh, Sri Lanka, Sindh, Baluchistan, Indonesia), so I had some experience and knowledge of exotic health problems and limited facilities.
Soon after meeting Laura and when our sons were still small we went to live on an island in the Karnali River, Nepal where there was no electricity. Here I had uninterrupted writing time even if I had to develop expertise in improvisation. I became convinced of the power of health information and my interest in health education grew. I had already recognised the dearth of readable information on avoiding ill-health in remote places and enjoyed the challenge of writing on the subject.
My Essential Guide was first published simultaneously by Cadogan in the UK and Globe Pequot in the US in 1995 as Bugs Bites & Bowels. It has to date sold over 19,000 copies. I believe it is still the only comprehensive single-author travel health guide. I am delighted to announce that the fifth edition was launched on 1st June 2009 as The Essential Guide to Travel Health: don't let Bugs Bites & Bowels spoil your trip.
That particular RGS symposium proved to be an auspicious meeting because the founders of Wanderlust magazine were also in the audience and they approached me with an offer of a regular travel health slot. I have written for Wanderlust ever since, and to date have concocted well over 100 double page features on travel health for them.
FragmentsDangerous Sea Fish(from page 175; 5th edition)
About 100 species of fish can administer dangerous stings, and a selection (barracuda, moray and conger eels, garfish, groupers and sharks) can inflict severe bites. Fish stings are common, and there are around 1500 stingray stings and about 300 scorpionfish stings a year in the USA alone. However, fatalities from fish stings are rare, and so are deaths from shark attacks.
Giardia
(from page 130; 4th edition)
Giardia are elegant heart-shaped microbes that swim around the small intestine propelled by two splendid whiskers. Infection upsets the stomach and causes sulphurous, foul-smelling belches and farts, abdominal distension and often diarrhoea.
Giardia infection is probably the most over-diagnosed, inappropriately treated travellers’ ailment; if you think you have it get a stool check before rushing to take a course ofantibiotics, and/or try 24 hours on clear fluids and a bland, fat-free diet. Other microbes cause similar symptoms, and untreated giardiasis does little harm except make you an unwelcome guest. One fairly specific symptom is passing stools that stink, float and are difficult to flush away (there are other causes of this, so if the treatment appears to fail, find a doctor). The parasite causing giardiasis is Giardia lamblia.
Ease and Relief
(from page 83; 5th edition) Lavatories can be a challenge for less nimble travellers. In many public facilities with pedestal lavatories, there may be no seat. Consequently, one needs to be able to hover over the pan, a trick that may be difficult for older travellers or those with hip disease or knee pain. Some remote places or budget destinations may only offer squat toilets. If you can’t squat to relieve yourself, limber up or re-book; alternatively, women might invest in a Whizzy, an ingenious foldable, disposable, gutter-like device that allows you to pee standing. The British alternative is the Shewee. These are also good for the squeamish who want to keep clear of less-than-salubrious lavatories. Another solution is the disposable Mini Potti urinal. Never restrict the amount of fluid you take in to reduce the amount you need to pee and do not miss out on taking prescribed ‘water tablets’ when travelling. Both strategies can be harmful.
Case history: Cave Rescues
(from page 286; 5th edition) When I lived in the south-west of England I spent a lot of time underground. I enjoyed caving and also researched the ecology of blind, cave-adapted animals in the limestones of Devon and Somerset. I served as a cave rescue warden too.
The call-outs were mostly to inexperienced people who had ventured into a cave or abandoned tin mine with ordinary battery-operated torches / flashlights. They didn’t realise that these lights fail after only an hour or so. These rescues got me thinking about how truly difficult it would be to navigate through a cave I knew well without a light.
My zoological investigations meant that I visited my underground research site at least twice a week. The cave I was studying had one entrance with a loop of low passage and boulder-strewn corridor comprising just 320 feet (less than 100m) in absolute darkness. I experimented with trying to move, lightless, through my familiar cave and time after time managed to progress only a metre or two before ending up in a blind alley.
Even knowing this small cave well, I realised that if my light failed, I’d be incapable of finding my way out. In absolute darkness, however, the tiniest light can save you. One chap found his way out of a small cave in Somerset - by the light of a cigarette. Even better would be to carry emergency lighting; the glow stick variety are convenient.
| Reviews |  |
When the first edition [of this book], entitled Bugs Bites & Bowels, came out in 1995, I was studying for my Travel Medicine degree and it was one of my favourite publications. The author, Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth, is a highly respected expert and although the book is intended for travellers, those of you who are passionate about Travel Medicine may enjoy this well written and highly informative guide.
Jane Chiodini RGN writing in Practice Nurse 26th March 2010
“the most approachable guide” Simon Calder in the Complete Guide to Travel Health.
The Independent
Endlessly fascinating. Even if you’re not going to be travelling in remote places, this book is wonderful. Jane Wilson-Howarth’s no nonsense (and funny) tone makes this book an excellent read, even if it’s just for the vicarious thrill of knowing which parasites you might encounter.
Wilson’s [no relation] Disease Reviews
“Unless your new husband possesses skills to match those of Bear Grylls, the fearless adventurer in the Born Survivor series, you'll have to rely on The Essentail Guide to Travel Health for advice, particularly if you're embarking on an adventurous honeymoon. This guide... is packed with tips on all aspects of travel: pre-trip vaccinations, dealing with extreme temperatures, information on malaria treatments and DVT, bites and stings, first aid, natural remedies as well as responsible tourism. Make room in your luggage for this life-saving guide.”
Your London Wedding, July 2009
“It offers useful advice to protect your family's health at home and abroad.”
Independent on Sunday
“The lastest (2009) edition seems to have slimmed down a little and at the same time contains even more information. A triumph for author and editorial team, as well as unusual.”
R Hovell MA MRCVS
Engaging writing style
“The author has a wide knowledge and experience of parasitology and travel medicine, gained over many years of living, working and travelling abroad. Readers of her books have come to appreciate not only the breadth of her knowledge and experience but also her engaging way of writing about her subject. The layout is user-friendly, with many useful maps, tables and text boxes drawing attention to key points in the text, and readers will find the many case studies and anecdotes in turn entertaining and instructive. What marks this book out from others in the field is the author’s gift for clarity in explaining travel health topics in language that can be easily understood by the general reader whilst remaining accurate and authoritative.”
Dr Mike Townend for the British Travel Health Association
“travellers bible”
Doctor
“its bedside manner is decidedly more reassuring and less alarmist” [than the Lonely Planet guide]
Sunday Telegraph book of the week
“This clear concise manual explains how to avoid the icky side effects of travel”
Best Title Award from Big World Magazine (Pennsylvania)
“the most amazing collection of well-written, easy to read, and jargon-free information flowing off every page of this book.”
Doctor newspaper
“Whilst her theoretical knowledge is extensive, it is her personal experience that adds great charisma and humour to the very informative text, making the book a true pleasure to read.”
Travel Wise: newsletter of the British Travel Health Association
“offers practical advice for disease prevention and treatment, based on the author’s and travellers’ personal experiences in a clear and concise way.”
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
“clear, easy to read, comprehensive manual… everything from jet lag to the psychological problems of being a long-term expat spouse.”
Carousel: diplomatic service families association magazine
“magnificent book… readable and accessible”
Expeditioner (Brathay Expeditions)
“indispensable…some of the most realistic, practical advice about trekking”
Independent on Sunday
“covers insect bite treatments, acclimatization, AIDS avoidance, snake-bite treatment and travel related skin problems.”
Los Angeles Times
“at once attractive, user friendly and a good read.”
Discovery – Cathay Pacific
“Amusing and informative…By far the best book of this type”
Sesame: Scientific Exploration Society Newsletter
“Interesting off-beat guide”
Observer, London
“coverage is excellent…sensible…accurate and well researched…single authorship makes it an easy read”
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
“with tips on avoiding afflictions such as ‘sahib’s knee’ when mountain walking.”
Australian Gourmet Traveller
“advice…from immunisation to dealing with snake-bites."
General Practitioner
“there is even a section on ‘Sex and the Single expat’. An extremely useful book.”
Good Book Guide
“essential reading”
Marie Claire
“a must for anyone going travelling.”
Wanderlust
“The sensible precautionary advice covering common and uncommon ailments is not only thorough, but also made more palatable by the case histories and touches of humour.”
The Book Seller
“irresistible… Each topic is in easy-to-follow sections, with anecdotes and case histories to illustrate the medical guidelines.”
Globe (London)
"a very well produced book .... written in a clear and concise way"
Stephanie Ledger (about the 2009 edition)
Get bitten by the travel bug
The Essential Guide to Travel Health (Bugs Bites & Bowels) can be used in one of two ways. As a guide to health hazards abroad, it is the most useful and least hysterical travel health book I have ever come across. Its purpose is not to fill the reader with paranoia, but describe what you can catch or pick up, how to avoid it, and what to do if the worst happens.
The book doesn't advocate avoiding all local foods and never drinking the water, as if the rest of the world is some disease-ridden cesspit, but calmly, and reassuringly details how to avoid such problems as dehydration, sunburn, mosquito bites and dodgy stomachs. As she says in her introduction, Wilson-Howarth is not attempting to be your portable doctor in times of crisis (although she is one), but to try to ensure that a doctor is never required.
I haven't read as clear and comprehensible description of the malaria issue anywhere, and as I travelled to Africa this year, I really appreciated the clear and detailed summary this book contains - it's worth owning just for that.
However, the other good reason to own a copy of this book is as a source of sick entertainment: although she insists that such critters are rare, the sections on some of the more unpleasant beasties that lurk in far-flung corners of the world are nothing short of addictive.
Revel in descriptions of the horrible Tumbu flies, put your friends off their dinners with tales of the Candiru fish, and generally have fun with snake stories. The author might well convince you that the sensible traveller need never risk an encounter with such unpleasantness, but still, this is a read-aloud classic when drunk.
Posted on amazon.