Far more likely in this crowded country is a throat or chest infection brought about by a combination of germs from a billion Chinese spitting (see Etiquette), pollution and the difference in temperatures when changing from air-conditioning to sweltering heat. If it's nothing serious, lozenges can keep your throat lubricated; cold and flu remedies and rest should bring about recovery.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Mosquito-borne illnesses aren't a serious problem in most parts of China, but malaria and dengue fever do occur in the south, notably in Hainan and southern Yunnan. If you're visiting these regions during the summer, it might be worth taking anti-malarial prophylactics. While malaria is transmitted by the anopheles mosquito, which tends to bite from dusk onwards, the zebra-striped aedes aegpti,which can carry dengue fever, strikes in the daytime. But taking a few precautions should stop you from getting bitten in the first place. Keep covered up from sundown, wear repellent (containing some, but not too much DEET), burn mosquito coils and, if you have the inclination, buy a "hunter” – an electrified fly-swat in the shape of a small tennis racket available in Chinese supermarkets which, in very non-Buddhist fashion, eliminates the bugs.
AIDS, SARS & Bird Flu
While long denied by the authorities, AIDS is a serious problem in China, ever more so as the country relaxes its sexual attitudes. The situation is exacerbated by high levels of prostitution and the refusal of many men to wear condoms (which are easily available), along with increasing drug use in the south. However, the most worrisome of China's health risks are posed by potentially fatal new forms of flu viruses such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and more recently bird flu. Although neither has, as yet, developed into the feared global pandemic, many experts say it is only a matter of time. If there is a suspected outbreak, travel can be seriously affected and then, of course, there's the risk posed by the disease itself, so see www.cdc.gov/travelfor the latest.
Getting Medical Attention
For more serious ailments or injuries, see a doctor, ideally at a hospital in a bigger city, where the chances of an English-speaking doctor (and better facilities) are greater. If there isn't anyone who speaks English, see Language, at the end of this guide. for some useful phrases. For less serious or longer-term problems it's interesting and sometimes beneficial to try some Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Before You Leave
There are a few things you can organize from home to further prepare for your trip. It's worth taking a small first aid kit with you, especially if you'll be heading off the beaten track. The following items make for a good, basic kit:
Antiseptic cream and wipes
Assorted plasters
Bandages
Butterfly stitches
Cold and flu remedy
Cotton wool
Dressings
Insect bite cream
Iodine
Rehydration sachets
Scissors
Sterile needle and suture kit
Surgical cream
Throat lozenges
Vitamin pills
Secondly, it's also a good idea to have some basic medicinal drugs with you. Although many drugs are easily available over the counter in China, communication may be an issue and in smaller towns you might not find what you need. So taking along antihistamines (for allergic reactions), an all-purpose antibiotic, a basic cold and flu remedy, diarrhea stoppers and painkillers might be useful, but check with your doctor for what's appropriate for you.
Thirdly, while you're not required to have any inoculations to enter China (unless you've come from a yellow fever-infected area), check that you are up-to-date with your vaccinations, particularly hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid, tuberculosis. And if you plan to spend a lot of time with animals or out in the wilds, a rabies shot isn't a bad idea. Register at www.tripprep.com for an up-to-date list of recommended travel vaccines.
Restrooms
Restrooms in China are a far cry from North American norms, although things are no longer quite as bad as they used to be, especially in the big cities. Public restrooms are the lowest of the low, always squat rather than seat and often without partitions between users. And then there's the smell, which can be stomach-churning. In spite of all of these indignities there is often one more to add – having to pay (2-5 mao) to use some public toilets. You'll be able to buy tissues from the attendant since the restrooms obviously don't have them. Just one more point of note – the actual toilet is often just a trough, above which you squat and it's advisable to remove your sunglasses before you do so; many are the times as a tourleader that I heard shrieks from my guests as their expensive shades dropped into the trough, and some of them actually retrieved them! Of course if you've gotta' go, you've gotta' go, but whenever possible use restrooms in your hotel, a restaurant or a shopping center.
Safety
When compared to most Western countries China comes out as very safe, especially when you take into account the vast disparity between rich and poor. However, this isn't to say that crime is non-existent; indeed petty theft is increasingly common, although violent crime against tourists is almost unheard of. A few basic precautions should help you stay trouble-free. First, keep any valuables you have to take with you in a money-belt worn under your clothing. Second, be aware of your personal space (especially in crowded or heavily touristed areas) and if you're concerned about your other valuables such as your camera, keep them in front of you. Finally, avoid walking on unlit streets alone late at night.
If something does happen, then a few precautionary steps should at least minimize damages. Make photocopies of your passport including the visa page, insurance documents and tickets and leave one copy with friends or relatives and keep another with you, in a separate location from the actual documents. Always keep the aforementioned and your cash, credit cards and travelers' checks safely stowed in a money belt, or, if you don't need them, leave them in your hotel safe. Divide your money, only keeping a small amount out for your day's spending and keep an emergency stash of US dollars. If you have something stolen and want to make an insurance claim, you'll need a police report (see Insurance for details).
Warning – Scams
While China is a reasonably safe place to travel, there are those who will perceive you as a cashpot and who have invented ingenious ways of helping you to part with your money. The most common scam in China involves a couple of young women or teenage girls approaching you on the pretense of wanting to practice their English, which is invariably fairly good. After some chatting, they'll invite you either to an art display (usually owned by their "uncle”) or a café. In the case of the former you'll be pressured into buying overpriced art, while the latter will lead to you paying for the girls' food and drinks at inflated prices. If you refuse, the doors may be closed and a few heavies might appear, although I've never heard any reports of violence occurring – indeed if you stick to your guns, chances are they'll back off. But best of all is just to avoid the scenario. Another popular trick is claiming the bill you have given as payment is a fake and then demanding another, thereby sticking you with a forged note. This is particularly prevalent with $100 bills at phone card stalls – don't let your note out of sight.