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The bags are packed and you have your tickets. You're ready to go. But successful traveling is healthy traveling and all it takes is a bit of planning.
If you are flying, current security concerns can make it difficult, if not impossible, to carry some things in your carry-on. You should contact your airline before you even start to pack, so that you are aware of the restrictions and can avoid problems at the airport.
Here are a few tips from the American Academy of Family Physicians:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), care in what you eat and drink while traveling abroad may be the most important health rule. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it. Eat only food that has been thoroughly cooked and is still hot or fruit you've peeled yourself. (Read about "Food Safety") CDC says in areas where hygiene and sanitation are inadequate, all sorts of germs can be present. (Read about "Microorganisms") Travelers should avoid:
If in doubt, the number one rule is DON'T DRINK THE WATER, and that includes ice. Always assume the worst when it comes to drinking water and plan accordingly.
CDC makes no recommendations on portable filters saying they have no independent test results showing if they are effective or not. Diarrhea (Read about "Diarrhea") is a common travelers' complaint, sometimes associated with changes in water and food. CDC says, while rarely life threatening, diarrhea can last up to a week and may be more serious in children. CDC says diarrhea sufferers should drink plenty of safe fluids to avoid dehydration. Some diarrhea however is caused by seriously contaminated food or water. That can be much more dangerous and life threatening. Consulting with a doctor should occur if the diarrhea lasts more than a few days or if it is severe or bloody. Fever and chills or being unable to ingest fluids are other danger signs that call for a doctor's attention.
Cruise lines have been vexed by noroviruses. (Read about "Noroviruses") Noroviruses are significant causes of sporadic and epidemic gastrointestinal disease in the United States, not just on cruise ships. (Read about "Digestive System") The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say over 180,000 cases occur annually. Noroviruses include Norwalk virus, Norwalk-like viruses and caliciviruses.
Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. (Read about "Gastroenteritis") The acute gastrointestinal illness, which can resolve within two days, results in symptoms that can include:
Like all viral infections, noroviruses are not affected by treatment with antibiotics. (Read about "Antibiotics") However, as with any illness causing diarrhea and vomiting, a big concern with norovirus infection is dehydration. (Read about "Dehydration")
There are some specific diseases that are more common in other parts of the world. Many are considered fairly rare but a traveler should be aware of them and their symptoms. Some of these diseases include:
Dengue - Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called "break-bone" fever because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking, hence the name. Health experts have known about dengue fever for more than 200 years. (Read about "Dengue Fever")
Dengue fever is found mostly in tropical and subtropical areas, but is starting to move northward. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) says it has surfaced along the U.S.-Mexico border and in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. There was also an outbreak in 2001 in Hawaii.
Most people infected with a dengue virus have no symptoms or a mild fever, according to NIAID. Those who do get sick sometimes experience minor bleeding, such as from the nose or gums, and frequently develop a high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes and in joints and muscles, and a rash. Sometimes the disease leads to leakage of blood plasma out of the circulatory system and into tissues, causing blood pressure to drop. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say this condition often can be reversed by giving patients fluids and electrolytes. With proper treatment, case fatality rates for severe dengue are low. If left untreated, however, the person may become unresponsive, slip into a coma and possibly die. Early diagnosis and treatment of dengue are critical to preventing shock and death.
The onset of Ebola is abrupt and characterized by the following symptoms:
While laboratory tests (Read about "Laboratory Testing") can help diagnose Ebola within a few days of the onset of symptoms, there is no proven and tested treatment for Ebola at this time. Patients receive supportive therapy, which includes balancing fluids and electrolytes, maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure and treating any complicating infections.
Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (Read about "Jaundice" "Anemia") because of the loss of red blood cells, according to CDC. A blood test (Read about "Laboratory Testing") can confirm a diagnosis of malaria and the disease can be cured with prescription drugs.
The only way to know for sure if you have typhoid fever is to have samples of blood or stool tested for S. Typhi. Antibiotics (Read about "Antibiotics") are usually used to treat people with typhoid fever. Ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin are the three most commonly prescribed antibiotics. People undergoing treatment usually begin to feel better within two or three days. CDC says death from typhoid fever is rare when treatment is given promptly. People who have fever for weeks or months could die from complications of the infection. You can protect yourself from typhoid fever in two ways, according to CDC:
If you are traveling to a country where typhoid is common, you should discuss your vaccination options with a physician. Keep in mind that you will need to complete your vaccination at least one week before you travel so that the vaccine has time to take effect. Typhoid vaccines last only several years.
Other diseases travelers should be aware of include West Nile virus, trichinosis, shigellosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis and plague. (Read about "West Nile Virus" "Trichinosis" "Shigellosis" "Cryptosporidiosis" "Giardiasis" "Biological Health Threats")
Pregnant women have some extra concerns while traveling especially to areas where emergency medical care may not be available. CDC advises pregnant women to consult with their doctor before making any travel decisions. (Read about "Healthy Pregnancy") If a pregnant woman has decided to travel, a number of issues need to be considered prior to her departure. For instance, a pregnant woman should be advised to travel with at least one companion; she should also be advised that, during her pregnancy, her level of comfort might be adversely affected by traveling. Here are some specific things to think about from CDC:
Symptoms that indicate the need for immediate medical attention are bleeding, passing tissue or clots, abdominal pain or cramps, contractions, ruptured membranes, excessive leg swelling, headaches or visual problems.
Before traveling a pregnant woman should consult her doctor about any other concerns she or the doctor may have.
Animal & Insect Borne Diseases
All Concept Communications material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.
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