Living in a developed Western country can have a lot of benefits when it comes to health care, but because we are so "clean", it doesn't give our bodies the chance to develop immunities to certain illnesses that others in Third World countries have developed in their younger years.
So, to aid in your quest in traveling without getting sick, here are some basic guidelines:
- Never drink tap water. It's better to buy bottled water, and make sure that it's sealed. Some merchants will try to pass off tap water as bottled.
- Don't use any ice, as it's usually frozen tap water.
- Brush your teeth with bottled water. Just a small amount can make you sick.
- If no bottled water is available, use iodine tablets, and/or boil the water for at least ten minutes.
- Do not eat street food. Instead, eat the food that's supplied by a reputable hotel or restaurant.
- Don't eat raw fruits/vegetables, unless it can be peeled (i.e., oranges, mangoes, etc).
- Stay away from animals. Many carry rabies.
- Wear mosquito repellent. In many countries, malaria is quite common. Plasmodium falciparum, an extremely potent and life threatening form of malaria is mainly seen in Africa. DEET can be sprayed on clothing, but many airlines will not let you take it on a plane, since it comes in an aerosol can.
- If your body can tolerate it, take an anti-malaria pill. Chloroquine has lost a lot of its defense because strains of malaria have mutated. The most powerful is Lariam (mefloquine hydroxide), but it has been known to cause adverse reactions such as tachycardia (extremely rapid heart rate), panic attacks, bodily flushing (hot flashes) and hallucinations. If you are not able to take that, the antibiotic doxycycline will work, but it must be taken twice a day.
- Most malaria medications require to be taken for two weeks before travel, during travel and for four weeks after.
- Acquire appropriate vaccinations and try to get a small prescription of a strong antibiotic that will help with stomach and intestinal illness (i.e., ciprofloxin). Don't take the antibiotic as a preventative measure. Only use if you get very sick.
- Bring along dry packets of an electrolyte that can be mixed with bottled water. Again, this is only if one gets sick.
- It's better not to use an anti-diarrheal medication like Imodium because it paralyzes the digestive system, thus disabling the body from getting rid of the harmful bacteria causing the illness. If you are traveling from one place to another, then you can take it, but try to avoid it. It should be taken for one day at the most. The dosage should be:
"Take this medication by mouth, usually after each loose stool, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your condition and response to therapy. In children, dosage is also based on age and weight. Adults should not use more than 8 milligrams in 24 hours if self-treating, or 16 milligrams if under a doctor's direction."
- The International Society of Travel Medicine
- VaccinePlace.com
- Travel Medicine - Information & Products
- The CDC - Traveler's Health
Just go prepared.
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