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Precautions When
Traveling Abroad
Article written by International Health Insurance Danmark's Specialist Lene Hoj called
"Precautions When Traveling and Living Abroad." More
articles on similar subjects at
http://www.ihi.dk
From a health point of view, traveller's problems are common and for the most due to
accidents or infectious diseases. Some are fatal, many are dangerous and can cause
side-effects as well as the risk of infection to other family members and acquaintances
upon return home. Prevention is effective and practically speaking always possible and,
therefore, advisable with regard to reducing these risks. The principles are built on our
knowledge of infectious diseases and are not impossible or difficult.
Food and Drink
Food and drink are the most common sources of infection, for example diarrhea, cholera,
dysentery and parasitic diseases such as viral hepatitis, typhus and paratyphus. All
uncooked foods can be the cause of infection. Salad, raw vegetables and thin-skinned
fruits should also be avoided. The same rules apply to partially-cooked or uncooked fish,
meat or shellfish. Shellfish should be strongly boiled for 10 minutes for safety reasons.
It is strongly advisable to avoid drinking water which has not been boiled, and using
ice-cubes which have been made from water which has not been boiled. Water can be rendered
drinkable by the addition of 5 drops of 2% iodine to 1 liter of water, following which it
should be decanted. If one contracts diarrhea, it is recommended to intake a lot of
fluids such as soup, weak fruit juices, as well as salt and sugar.
Insects
Insects transmit various illnesses, such as malaria, yellow fever, African sleeping
sickness, plettyfus (typhus exanthematicus), river blindness and meningitis. Bites or
stings can be uncomfortable - and even dangerous (scorpions and spiders, for example).
It is wise to wear reasonably thick and protective clothing outdoors after sunset, and one
should avoid dark colours as these attract mosquitoes. Use an insect repellent on
uncovered / bare skin (DEET or Dimethyphtalet). Sleep in a well-closed room. Kill any
mosquitoes indoor with an insect spray. Use a mosquito net - and this can be impregnated
with an insect repellent. If possible, sleep above 1st floor level. In the Mediterranean
and in Central East Africa one should avoid direct contact with strange dogs as fleas who
live by sucking the animals' blood can transmit Mediterranean Fever to humans if bitten
(Fièvre Boutonneuse). For the same reason, one should get rid of fleas in one's own dog!
Animals
Generally, animals avoid people. And it is a good rule not to initiate contact with
animals, especially animals with young, and avoid touching dogs, cats and foxes in rabid
areas, as well as monkeys, jackals and bats. In areas with the tropical bleeding fever,
contact with rodents should be absolutely avoided.
Sexually-transmitted diseases
Sexually-transmitted diseases are, treatment-wise, often more problematic because of the
bacteria's resistance-development towards the normally used antibiotics such as
penicillin. It is furthermore well documented that HIV infection, which develops into
AIDS, is also transmitted via both homosexual and heterosexual contact. This disease is
still incurable. Nor is there a single treatment which is effective in preventing this
illness and there is no vaccination available. The risk of infection can to a large degree
be reduced by avoiding "casual" contacts especially with prostitutes in cities
in the Far East, Central Africa and persons with numerous contacts. Contact with
biological fluids such as semen and blood should be avoided, and the use of condoms for
men, together with the use of contraceptive creams by women, can give some protection.
Climatic Conditions
Climatic conditions such as extreme heat or cold and high humidity influence mostly older
people and children in the form of relatively mild skin rashes, fungal infections and heat
stroke. Inhalation of dust can reduce the resistance to infections in the air passage, and
can cause nausea and a feeling of sickness. While residing in fresh water areas in the
tropics, there is a risk of snail fever and fatal bacterial brain infection has been seen
to occur in certain areas while swimming in warm "untreated" swimming pools. In
recent years, there has been a major outbreak of pneumonia and legionnaires disease, often
via air-conditioning systems, and shower / bath installations. The addition of chlorine to
the water has proved helpful. Traveling in and living at high altitudes can induce
sleeping problems and cause discomfort, especially to persons with heart or lung diseases.
The medicine cabinet
The medicine cabinet should if possible be equipped with malaria preventive medicine,
antihistamine, sleeping pills, anti-itch preparation, Paracetamol as a pain killer, a
syringe for poison extraction, hormone cream for itchy rashes, diarrhea medicine such as
opium drops and Imodium. Nose drops when flying, especially for children and other
"victims". Also insect repellent and sun protection cream. Iodine or chlorhexidin for abrasions and sores, and specific antibiotics for travel under primitive
conditions.
Upon returning home
Upon returning home, within the first 2 months one should always without exception contact
a doctor on the slightest suspicion of malaria. The benign types can show up to 10 - 12
years after infection, and can be completely cured. The faeces should be examined for
bacteria and other parasites. Always inform your doctor of previous trips abroad.
As precautions when traveling, including vaccinations and medicaments, are fundamentally
based on common sense, and therefore following the logical principles can at a stretch be
self-sufficient. Furthermore, if one has taken out a medical insurance for financial
security, the information given here on the risks and dangers should not deter one from
experiencing the enormous advantages and pleasures of traveling!
Posted and Reproduce with permission from ASN
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