However, it has to be done taking into account certain precautions which, upon not being verified, could make your business or pleasure trip not as pleasant as might be desired...
Tropical climates have as one of their characteristics being prevalent areas for certain illnesses which we will see following. It is vital to always keep in mind that, most of the time; prevention is really the best solution.
Malaria
This is an infectious disease that affects practically all tropical countries and is transmitted to man via a mosquito bite infected with the Plasmodium parasite.
The period between the mosquito bite and the appearance of symptoms usually varies from 7 to 30 days.
Patient condition varies but it is however common for the following to appear:
- Intermittent fever;
- Chills;
- Profuse perspiration;
- Muscle aches;
- Headaches;
- Gastrointestinal upsets;
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Diagnosis is made combining the patient's condition with lab analysis identifying the malaria parasite. The disease can evolve into a more serious form and even lead to death.
Since no effective vaccine is available is it necessary for all travelers to be aware of the risk they run and familiarize themselves with preventative measures:
- Avoiding insect bits;
- Taking recommended medication.
Malaria is responsible for 1 to 1.5 million deaths a year according to the WHO (World Health Organization).
Prevention
Avoiding insect bits
Insects represent 85% of all living organisms on the face of the earth. They are attracted by body odor, the color of clothes and simply by movement. As such, in order to achieve better individual protection:
- avoid going out at dawn or dusk;
- opt for light-colored clothes (mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors);
- always use clothes with long-sleeves, pants, socks and closed shoes after dusk;
- do not use perfume or aftershave above all at night (the strong smell attracts mosquitoes);
- protect exposed areas (face, neck, wrists and ankles) with insect repellant that contains Deet in a concentration of more than 30% for adults, regularly renewing application of the same - read and follow the recommendations for use carefully;
- avoid activities alongside watercourses, lakes, riverbanks, wetlands or humid areas (zones preferred by mosquitoes);
- always sleep in well-maintained buildings in rooms with a door and closed windows, preferably with air-conditioning;
- spray the room with insecticide after the morning airing and keep all windows closed;
- use insecticide diffusers (electric or battery operated);
- consider the option of using a mosquito net impregnated with insecticide when not sleeping in air-conditioned rooms.
Medication
All medication has side-effects and no treatment is entirely perfect. Malaria is more dangerous and mortal than any preventative or curative medication which has saved thousands of lives over the years.
Prevention may imply the ingestion of medication before, during and after a trip.
Treatment is based on World Health Organization recommendations and depends on:
. Trip location
. Trip type (short stay, long stay or repeat stays)
. Traveler's state of health
. Traveler’s age
It is fundamental that rules for ingesting medication (amounts and times) are complied with so that the efficacy desired can be achieved.
What to do during the disease?
After a trip to a tropical country, and whenever a sudden inexplicable fever occurs (temperature higher than or equal to 37.2°) accompanied or not by other symptoms, contact us immediately.
Outside regular UCS working hours, proceed to an emergency service alerting to the fact you have been to a tropical country. However, contact your health crew as soon as possible.
If you are still in a tropical country, seek urgent medical attention from a physician who after confirming the diagnosis will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Diarrhea
The commonly referred to traveler’s diarrhea is one of the most frequent situations on trips to tropical countries.
It is generally associated with poor food hygiene conditions and in most cases caused by a bacteria infection. It normally lasts for a few days and is rarely dangerous. Treatment is based on re-hydration and diet.
Anti-diarrhea medication can reduce the number of episodes of diarrhea but can lead to complications in the case of a serious infection. You should only take these when you are sure it is a case of benign diarrhea. Prevention essentially consists of food hygiene.
Prevention (Food care and others)
Beverages
Inform yourself of the state of the water you drink. Always drink bottled water (check the seal is intact), boiled or water treated with purifiers.
Ice, only made from bottle water.
Do not drink natural fruit juice (normally water is added).
Drink coffee and tea made with bottled water.
Use bottled water to clean your teeth and face.
Food
Avoid:
. Seafood (common source of infection)
. Salads and uncooked vegetables
. Milk and derivatives
. Ice-pops of unknown origin
. Raw or food cooked rare Always opt for food cooked at high temperatures and consumed directly.
. Only eat fruit pealed when eaten.
. Do not leave food uncovered in your room which attracts mosquitoes and runs the risk of contamination.
. Wash your hands frequently and before meals.
And don’t forget in relation to any food: Cook it, peel it, boil it or...forget it! ! !
Alarm Signals
- 2 to 3 diarrhea episodes per hour.
- High fever
- Presence of blood or mucus in feces
- Serious dehydration (dry tongue, sunken eyes)
If you have diarrhea in a geographical zone where the presence of cholera is verified, always seek urgent medical attention.
Important:
Always maintain the abundant ingestion of liquids certain that these are not contaminated even prior to the medical consultation.
What to do during the disease?
Diets for Gastroenteritis
During the initial hours of intestinal problems consider stopping eating. Gradually ingest liquids (small quantities at a time);
- Boiled or mineral water;
- Rice water (1 liter of water with three spoonfuls of rice, boil down to reduce by half).
- Coke beverages, flat without gas;
- Weak black tea;
According to patient progress, begin the ingestion of solid food again:
- Dry toast
- Cooked apple or pear
- Boiled rice
- Cooked lean meat
- Rice mixtures
- Grilled food
- Boiled carrot
Avoid until totally recovered:
- Milk or derivatives
- Vegetables
- Raw fruit
- Fatty foods
