There are a number of extremely serious diseases caused by contaminated food and water. Four of these major diseases are dysentery, which can be preceded by traveler's diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis A, and typhoid. These diseases are more prevalent in third world countries, but people can contract them even in their own home town. Here is some info that can help you lessen the chance of getting these diseases when you take a tropical vacation.
What things can you do to lessen the chance of contracting these serious diseases when traveling?
Drink only bottled water when you are on holidays. Check to make sure that the seal of the cap has not been broken. If it shows any sign of being tampering with, do not drink the water. In many third world countries, it is not uncommon for some street vendors, children, or restaurants to fill water bottles with tap water and offer them to tourists as authentic bottled water.
Ice cubes can be a major source of contaminated water. Unlike bottled water, there is no way that you, as a vacationer, can be sure the ice cubes were made from a safe, non-contaminated source of water unless the restaurant has an impeccable reputation. Therefore, you shouldn't use ice cubes in your drinks unless you are positive the source of the water is safe.
When you are planning a tropical vacation it is advisable to avoid eating any uncooked foods such as salads as they are another major source of these diseases.
How do people usually contract traveler's diarrhea?
Traveler's diarrhea is usually caused by contaminated food or water, but it can also be caused by stress or a change of location when traveling. Some symptoms are gas, nausea, upset stomach, cramps and a liquid stool.
What should you do if you get traveler's diarrhea?
You should drink a lot of purified water and soda or pop to prevent dehydration. These symptoms usually subside within two or three days, if these symptoms persist or get more severe, you should get medical help immediately as you may have one of two more serious conditions, bacteria, or amoeba dysentery.
What are some of the symptoms of dysentery?
Severe headaches, stomach cramps, a high fever, vomiting, blood and/or mucous in the stool are the usual symptoms of both bacteria and amoeba caused dysentery. Both types of dysentery can develop into very serious conditions if left untreated. Seek medical help immediately.
What is the difference between hepatitis A and B?
Hepatitis A is a highly infectious disease that is spread through contaminated water (including ice cubes) and food. Hepatitis B is spread the same way that the HIV virus is spread, by infected body fluids or blood through sexual contact, a transfusion, or a cut or break in the skin. Both diseases have very similar symptoms which may include chills, a fever, headaches, feeling fatigued, nausea and vomiting, aches and pains, lack of appetite, stomach cramps, dark colored urine and light colored feces. Yellow whites of the eyes and a jaundiced skin are also common symptoms. If you get a few, or all of these symptoms you to have seek medical help as soon as possible. However, as a precaution, it would make a lot of sense to see your local health authority before you travel on holidays and get vaccinations against both of these diseases. Keep in mind that your first line of defense is to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B before you traveling.
It is advisable to ask your local health authority if you need to be vaccinated before your trip. Some of the countries you plan to visit could require an up to date vaccination certificate. Even if they don't, it still makes a lot of sense to get vaccinated as hepatitis A is highly infectious. Hepatitis B can trigger AIDS. Both diseases will attack the liver. There is a vaccination, Twinrix, which protects you from both hepatitis A and B. You can find more information about this vaccination at Twinrix.com.
What can you do if you contract cholera?
Cholera causes bad diarrhea, which may lead to severe dehydration and possibly death. This disease is contracted through contaminated food and water. And immunization is not considered effective, so you need to practice good hygiene.
How can you protect yourself from contracting typhoid?
Typhoid is a disease that's also transmitted through contaminated food and water. You should get immunized for typhoid when you are traveling to countries where sanitation is poor.
Malaria is the most common serious disease caused by mosquitoes. Over a million people die from this disease worldwide each year.
Female mosquitoes deposit their eggs into your bloodstream as they feed on your blood. These parasite eggs incubate and mature in your liver and then attack your red blood cells. The first symptoms usually arise within twenty-four hours. Some symptoms are a high fever, shivers and chills, as well as nausea and vomiting. This is usually followed by a deep sleep and then a flare up occurs. If these symptoms repeat themselves every two to three days, you must seek medical attention.
An anti-malaria prescription can be taken to help protect you when traveling on vacation in mosquito infested tropical climates. But to receive maximum protection, this medication should be taken before, during, and after your trip. However, these pills aren't always completely effective.
Pharmaceutical drugs such as Chloroquine, Doxycycline, Mefloquine, and Fansidar, can be prescribed to treat malaria, but again, they aren't always totally effective. Ask your doctor more about the dosage and length of time that you should take any of these prescription medications.
You can protect yourself from yellow fever by getting a vaccination from the doctor at your local health authority before you travel on your holidays. The vaccination lasts approximately ten years. It is very effective.
Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that is transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito. This disease can be prevented by a series of three vaccinations.
Dengue fever is a viral disease that is spread through mosquitoes. At the present time there is no vaccination to prevent this disease.
West Nile Virus is also spread through infected mosquitoes. At present there's no vaccine to protect you from this disease.
Please keep in mind that when it comes to serious mosquito-borne diseases, prevention is always better than a cure, even if there is one. It is always the best policy to limit the chance of being bitten and infected by mosquitoes in the first place. Always wear loose fitting, long-sleeved shirts and slacks between dusk and dawn and use a DEET containing insect repellent when mosquitoes become active near dusk. Be sure to kill all the mosquitoes in your room before going to sleep, and use mosquito nets as well as coils when camping or sleeping outdoors.
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