TRAVELER'S HEALTH TIPS: CHECK LIST AND DEALING WITH THE SUN, WATER AND INSECTS

TRAVELER’S HEALTH

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in the hospital with malaria A consultant to the CDC told National Geographic Traveler magazine that nearly half of all visitors to developing countries get sick during a two-week trip.

Food and health standards in many countries are often below those of European or North American country. Dysentery, hepatitis, stomach parasites and malaria occur. It is is a good idea to make sure you are up to date with shots and are prepared for both travel-related and serious sicknesses.

Generally no vaccinations are required unless you entering from a country infected with yellow fever (usually in tropical Africa or South America) and then you need a yellow fever vaccination and documentation of it. It is a good idea to make sure you are up to date with your typhus, diphtheria and tetanus inoculations.

Try to get the new inoculations for food- and water-borne hepatitis A and blood-carried hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccination is worthwhile in case you have an accident and need blood transfusions. It may be worthwhile to get a vaccination for Japanese encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease that is very rare but found in China, especially in the south.

Traveler doctors can tell you what shots and medications you need for specific countries. For information about travelers inoculations inquire first at your county, community or city clinic, or local university. Shots from these sources are generally much cheaper than those given at a hospital or from a private doctor. With inoculations, plan ahead. Some immunization require a series of shots that require more than a month to complete.

Websites and Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cdc.gov/DiseasesConditions ; World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheets who.int/news-room/fact-sheets ; National Institute of Health (NIH) Library Medline Plus medlineplus/healthtopics ; Merck Manuals (detailed info many diseases) merckmanuals.com/professional/index

Travelers Inoculations

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Make sure the inoculations are recorded on a valid International Vaccination Card and remember to bring the card when you travel. You may be required to show as evidence that you have been inoculated.

Some countries require that you show a health certificate upon arrival that shows you have had a yellow fever vaccination (valid for ten years). A record of a cholera immunization used to be required in some places but is generally not required in anymore.

Make sure you are up to date with your DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), typhus, and typhoid shots. Also get inoculations for food- and water-borne hepatitis A and blood-carried hepatitis B. You may want to look into vaccinations for rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and meningitis. If you are heading to a tropical area look into the malaria situation there.

Some inoculations are administered in several doses given over several weeks or months so make sure that you take of getting them well in advance of your departure date.

It is better to seek help from a travel- and tropical-medicine specialist at a travel-health clinic than a regular doctor. Comprehensive list of travel clinics are found in the both the CDC and ISTM Web sites. Traveler doctors can tell you what shots and medications you need and alert you to problems in specific countries. Family doctors simply don’t have the time to be up to date on the latest risks and out breaks and new vaccinations and drugs. Seek help first from your county, community or city clinic. Then try a local university. Shots from these sources are generally much cheaper than those given at a hospital or from a private doctor or clinic.

Health Tips

Bring All Prescription Drugs and Medications you think you will need along with prescriptions with generic names rather than brand names (drug names vary widely from country to country). Always keep you prescription drugs in their original containers. You don’t want to raise any suspicions that you are carrying illegal drugs. Also keep in mind that some over-the-counter drugs in the country in which you are traveling are illegal your home country and you could get in trouble bringing them back.

If you take an important medication 1) make sure you don't forget to bring an adequate supply; 2) know where you can get refills if you lose your medication or it runs out; 3) know the generic names of your prescriptions in the country you are visiting; and 4) know the doses you need measured out in the metric system.

It is also a good idea to: 1) have the prescriptions handy when going through customs so that authorities can confirm that drugs are not illegal. 2) wear a medical bracelet if you have diabetes or a similar problem; and 3) keep you medications in your carry on baggage rather than check-in luggage.

Avoid buying medications locally. Many anti-malarials and antibiotics are counterfeits. Beware of drugs with similar names. For example: in Denmark Prazak is a high blood pressure medicine not an antidepressant like Prozac; in Germany Allegro is a headache medicine not an allergy medication like Allegra; and in Britain Amyben us a medicine for abnormal heart rhythm not a sleeping pill like Ambien.

If You Have a Medical Condition or Allergy wear your medical allergies bracelet. Some people carry their medical history with them at all times in the from of a wallet-size disc or USB drive. MedInforChips (www.medinfochip.com sells ☎877-872-3475) sells USB drives that contain prepared forms for information on allergies and medications, medical history, and doctor contacts.

Make Sure Your Health Insurance is valid overseas and promises to airlift you to the nearest high-quality medical facility or to your home country. If it isn’t or doesn’t you may want to consider purchasing a traveler’s health insurance that will cover you during the duration of your trip. Always Get the Best Medical Care Available . Before you go try to find out which medical facilities the Peace Corps, the U.S. State Department and the United Nations uses. Once you are in a country get the names and numbers of reputable doctors and clinic from a top end hotel. Some of these have in house nurses and doctors that are on call 24 hours a day. The consular services section of the American Embassy can suggest preferred physicians and facilities.

Avoid Blood Transfusions and Risky Treatments . In some countries blood may be tainted with the AIDS virus, hepatitis B or C, or another disease. Transfusions are generally only necessary in situation of massive hemorrhaging such as during and after severe trauma, gynecologic and obstetric emergencies or gastrointestinal bleeding. If you need a transfusion, if possible, make sure can wait until you get to a good hospital. In many cases a colloid or crystalloid plasma can be used instead of blood.

If You Wear Glasses or contacts lenses make sure you bring an extra pair along plus some prescription sunglasses and a copy of your prescription. Bring Your Own Supply of Sterile Hypodermic Needles as a preventative measure against diseases such as AIDS and some strains of hepatitis that can be transmitted by dirty needles. If You Have a Fever seek medical attention immediately. You could have malaria or some other serious illness that requires immediate medical attention.

Drinks Lots of Water and Wash Regularly . Use bottled water even when brushing your teeth. Keep your hands clean by washing with soap or a liquid sanitizer like Purell. To Avoid Bacterial Infections in hot and humid climates wear loose-fitting garments, wash frequently with antibacterial soaps and change into clean, dry clothing after washing. To Avoid Fungal Skin Infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm don't wear damp shoes or clothing and apply anti-fungal power to areas prone to sweating. For Jet Lag some people take melatonin before embarking on a long trip. Doctors sometimes say the body needs one day of recover for every time zone crossed.

In Case of an Accident don't move the victim. If the victim is losing blood or has broken bones moving him may do more ham than good. Victims with spinal or neck injuries may suffer paralysis or death. In Case of Bleeding apply pressure or a tourniquet to the area of bleeding. In Case of Shock keep the victim, warm and covered.

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giardia, one cause of diarrhea

Health Stuff to Bring

Recommended Stuff to Bring
Medical allergies bracelet
Sunscreen rated SDF 15 or better.
Chapstick and sun protection for lips
Sunglasses
Water Purification Tablets or Two percent tincture of iodine (5 to 10 drops per liter)
Insect Repellant with at least 30 percent DEET
Medications
Oral Rehydration Salts (restores essential body nutrients deprived by severe diarrhea)
Throat lozenges, nasal spray and cough medications
Digital thermometer
List of your medical conditions, allergies, medications and dosages.
Calamine lotion for itching
Vitamin pills, calcium tablets.
Women should bring tampons, sanitary napkins and birth control pills of they need them.

First Aid Kit
Band Aids, bandages and tape of various sizes and shapes
Moleskin (for blisters)
Gauze Pads
Gauze Roll
Eye Wash
Tweezers, scissors, needles
Safety Pins
Topical Antibiotic
Hand Sanitizer
Butterfly bandages (for cuts that need stitches).
Sterile disposable syringes
Antiseptic and antibacterial cream (to prevent infections from cuts and scrapes)

Over the Counter Medications
Pain and fever reliever (Aspirin, Panadol, Tylenol or Advil)
Antihistamine such as Benadryl (useful as a decongestant, allergy medicine and relief from insect bites and stings)
Aspirin or other headache remedy
Fiber tablets (constipation)
Laxative
Kaolin preparations such as Pepto-Bismol, Lomotil or Immodium (for relief from diarrhea and nausea)
Loperarride tablets (diarrhea)
Motion-sickness remedy
Oil of cloves (toothache)
Antacid tablets
Acetaminophen tablets (fever)
Ibuprofen tablets (muscle pain)
Anesthetic/antiseptic spray
Hydrocortisone cream (skin irritation)
Antifungal cream (athletes foot)
Antibiotic ointment (skin infections)

By Prescription
Antimalarial pills
Antibiotics (e.g. penicillin or tetracycline, Ciprofloxican, for general and urinary infection, diarrhea. Doxycycline for traveler; diarrhea, consult a doctor about specific prescriptions);
Sleep medications
Antihistamines (motion sickness or allergic reaction)
Antibiotic eyedrops

Water and Food Precautions

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giardia, a cause of
pretty bad diarrhea Exercise caution with water. Tap water should be regarded with suspicion. If you have any doubts don't drink it unless it is treated first. Drink bottled water and use it to brush your teeth and avoid containers such as glasses or bowls may have contained contaminated water. Clean water is sometimes hard to get in rural areas. If you go to such a place make sure to bring a large supply of clean water with you. If nothing else is available tap water that is very hot to the touch is usually safe.

Bottled water is not always trustworthy. Make sure the cap is sealed shut and buy the water at places regarded as trustworthy, such as a supermarket, not on the streets or in a kiosk.. Generally safer are carbonated bottled water bottled or canned carbonated beverages, coffee or tea made with boiled water, beer or wine, or water boiled for five minutes (longer at high altitudes) or chemically treated (iodine is better than chlorine). It is also a good idea to wash your hands with soap before and after you eat.

As for water purification tablets, iodine kills bacteria, dysentery amebas and giardia parasites. It is safe for short term. Long term use is dangerous to pregnant women and people who have thyroid problems. Chlorine kills amebas and giardia. Water filtration systems don't remove all pathogens. They can not be considered safe for removing all infectious agents although they remove a lot of them. A heating coil is useful for heating water. Iodine tablets are available from camping stores and tincture of iodine is available from pharmacies. Double the dose of iodine in cloudy water and try to warm up water that is very cold so the chemicals dissolves. The water is usually safe to drink about a half hour after the chemicals have been added.

Also exercise caution with food. Many visitors have stomach- and bowel-related problems. Some get stomach parasites. Avoid salads, dodgy seafood or meat, drinks with ice, diluted fruit juice, unpasteurized milk and milk products such as cheese, cold meats, raw vegetables, street food and uncooked food. Never eat anything raw. Some kinds of shellfish and fish are particularly risky. Peel vegetables and fruit. Try to eat at reputable restaurants. Make sure meals are hot and recently prepared, preferably right in front of you. Don't eat anything that looks questionable or looks as if it had been sitting around for a while. Keep your hands clean by washing with soap or a liquid sanitizer like Purell. Many people worried about hygiene bring their own utensils or chopsticks or carry swabs and packets of alcohol to wipe off utensils, chopsticks and rims of glasses in restaurant.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

An estimated 20 to 30 percent of all travelers in developing countries get diarrhea, mostly from contaminated food and beverages. The majority of cases are a nuisance but not a serious problem.

There are no vaccine to prevent travelers diarrhea. Some people take Pepto-Bismol as a preventative against diarrhea (some studies have shown a reduction of getting diarrhea of 60 percent after taking Pepto-Bismol). Other drugs like doxycycline, quinoles and TMP/SMX (Bactrim DS or Septra DS) have been shown to reduce the likelihood of getting travelers diarrhea by 50 to 86 percent but they often have side effects

To reduce cramps and frequent bowel movements try Kaolin preparations such as Pepto-Bismol, Lomotil or Immodium. These medications are mainly good for temporarily stopping you up. They are good for bus rides but once the medication wears off your diarrhea returns. There is no evidence that other medication such as Lomotil or charcoal tablets prevent traveler's diarrhea. In some cases, they actually increase it.

There are not really any medicines o can take to get ride of travelers diarrhea. In most case diarrhea is self-limited and the body cures itself. The best treatment for diarrhea is to rest, replace lost salts (electrolytes) by consuming packets of rehydration salts and subsist as long as possible on fluids like tea, broth, fruit juices and non-caffeine carbonated drinks. Later, eat bland food like rice, bananas, gelatin, crackers, or toast. Avoid alcoholic beverages, fatty and spicy foods and dairy products.

Absorbent against such as activated charcoal, kaolin and pectin give stools more consistency but to relieve cramps and the frequency of stools and do not shorten the course of the diarrhea. There is no evidence that lactobacillus preparation and yogurt are effective. Bismthuth subsalicylate preparations sometimes offer relief but may cause harmful side effects. Natural opiates such as paregoric, codeine are sometimes used to control diarrhea and cramps.

Rehydrating Properly

Especially when exerting oneself in hot weather, people should pay careful attention to water supply as muscle exertion creates a lot of heat and the risk of heatstroke increases. In the case of intense exercise, even if for only a short time or when the temperature is not very high, a person should not forget the importance of drinking water. Even though people lose water through sweat while exercising, they don't feel thirsty right away. As a result, people tend to suffer a water deficiency. [Source: Akihiko Kano, Yomiuri Shimbun, July 1, 2012]

However, excessive hydration is also unhealthy. When people drink too much water in a marathon or other endurance activities, they could develop water intoxication caused by a decrease in sodium concentration in the blood. The imbalance is caused by excessive water intake, which could lead to problems such as pulmonary edema in serious cases. There have been deaths from this in marathons.

So how much water should a person drink during exercise? According to experts it is desirable to rehydrate to ensure water loss does not exceed 2 percent of body weight. For example, an 80-kilogram person should drink enough so that water loss does not reach 1.6 liters. To make sure, people should weigh themselves before and after exercise. If the weight loss is less than 2 percent of body weight, the person is sufficiently hydrated and should be fine. The association sets a target volume of water for different activities. In the case of soccer, players should drink 250 milliliters to 500 milliliters before the game and 500 milliliters to 1,000 milliliters during the game. It is recommended to drink several cups of water over time, rather than drinking it all at once. As salt is also lost in sweat, 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent salt should be included in the water.

Seiichi Nakai, a professor of exercise hygiene at Kyoto Women's University, said, "The elderly are prone to heatstroke, so they must pay careful attention to hydration." There are several reasons they develop heatstroke symptoms. The first is that elderly people have a low sensitivity for heat. When it's hot, young people naturally feel thirsty and actively replenish water. But as aging desensitizes the elderly to heat, they tend not to rehydrate themselves. Second, elderly people's bodies have less water. Water occupies about 60 percent of a young person's body weight, but the amount in the elderly is only about 55 percent. The third reason is that the body's heat regulating mechanism in the elderly is poor and body heat is not easily dispersed.

Nakai recommends elderly people take in 2.2 liters to 2.5 liters of water a day because that is about the amount they lose through urine and sweat. For example, for a person who takes in 2.5 liters of water, drinking water makes up about 1.2 liters—water drunk after waking up, tea with meals, coffee, etc. One liter comes from water contained in food. The remaining 0.3 liter is produced by metabolism, which oxidizes energy-containing substances in food. "The target figures are the minimum required volume. If elderly people sweat a lot in the heat, they should take in salt through sports drinks [in addition to the target amount]," Nakai said.

Preventing Heatstroke with a Homemade Sports Drink

The most important measure to prevent heatstroke is to replace water lost in sweat. When people sweat, not only water but also minerals including sodium, the main component of salt, are lost from their bodies. Therefore if people drink only water, the concentration of minerals in their bodies drops, which could cause nausea and muscle cramps. Sports drinks effectively supply water, salt and sugar. However drinking them frequently is expensive. [Source: Akihiko Kano, Yomiuri Shimbun, July 1, 2012]

Hideki Taniguchi, a professor at Kanagawa University of Human Services, recommends a homemade rehydration water. "It's possible to make an excellent drink for rehydration that contains components similar to commercially available sports drinks," he said. Taniguchi says to mix three grams of salt (1/2 teaspoon) and 40 grams of sugar (4-1/2 tablespoons) into one liter of water. Stir the mixture well until the grains dissolve. You can use tap water, but boil the water once to remove chlorine and cool it to room temperature. Next, drop a twist of lemon or grapefruit into the mixture. The juice flavors the water and adds potassium, which helps muscle function. Cool it in a refrigerator before drinking. Cool water lowers body temperature and is said to stimulate the small intestine, which absorbs water.

It is not healthy to drink the rehydration water every day in lieu of normal water. This is because excessive intake of salt and sugar could lead to lifestyle-related diseases, including high blood pressure. It is best to drink the rehydration water only when you have a poor appetite due to summer heat or when you sweat a lot after jogging or hiking. "If you drink a large volume of [rehydration] water at once, it could easily be lost through urine. I recommend drinking the water in several sittings, for example, one cup (about 200 milliliters)," Taniguchi said.

Sun Protection

Sun tans and sun burns are caused by ultraviolet, or UV, rays. There are three kinds of UV rays that affect people: 1) UVA; 2) UVB, blocked to a large degree by the ozone layer. and 3) UVC, usually blocked by the ozone layer. A sun tan is an the body's attempt to protect itself from sun damage. Menalin, a chemical found in the skin that causes the skin ti tan, absorbs some of the incoming rays to protect other cells.

UVB is regarded as the most dangerous form of UV rays. It is the main cause of sun tans and sun burns and has been linked to both benign and serious forms of skin cancer. UVA rays are linked with premature aging. They have a long wavelength and penetrate deeper into the skin, where the degraded the elastic fiber that make skin smooth and firm.

Make sure you use a sun screen rated "15" or above if you are going to be outside a lot. Sun glasses, protection for your lips, a hat and long sleeve shirt are also a must. If you do physical activity when it is hot it is good idea to go out early, right after sunrise if you can, and take a rest or a nap in the shade in the afternoon, and continue on in the late afternoon.

In strong sunshine use a strong sun screen and lip protection and wear a hat and sunglasses. In extreme sunshine also cover as much as you body as possible with clothes, and put zinc oxide on your nose. For sun protection apply a sunscreen rated SPF 15 or better at least a half an hour before exposure and repeatedly apply during peak hours and after swimming. The peak exposure hours are between 10:00am and 3:00pm. Many recommend sun screens rated SPF 30 or even 38.

In the past sun screen were rated on the basis of SPF (sun protection factors) ranging from 2 to 60. In 1999, new regulations were passed in the United States that divided sun screen into three categories: 1) "minimal" (SDF 2 to 12); 2) "moderate" (SDF 12 to 30); and 3) "maximum” (SDF 30 or more). Those that remained on the skin 40 minutes after swimming were labeled "water resistant.” Those that remained on the skin 80 minutes after swimming were labeled "very water resistant.”

Avoiding Insects

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For protection from insects use an insect repellant with at 30 percent DEET (some people recommend 95 to 100 percent), wear long pants and long sleeve shirts, treated with "Coulston's Duranon Tick, spray, and sleep under an insecticide-impregnated insect netting. Periodically check your body for ticks. If a tick penetrates your skin, remove the entire tick with tweezers or a tick removal kit by grasping the head and slowly backing it out.

Disease-carrying mosquitos, like most mosquitos, generally bite at night between dusk and dawn, and are particularly fierce around sunset. An exception to this rule are mosquito that carries dengue fever. They generally bite in the day. Mosquitos generally go for the lower extremities of the body. People with a high skin temperature and high moisture-transpiration rates sometimes attract more mosquitos.

The best way to avoid disease-carrying mosquitos and insects is avoid the places where the diseases are known to exist. The Center of Disease Control can provide information on countries and regions where diseases are found. Rural areas are generally more risky than urban areas. Local people can often provide information on specific risky places in their area.

The best way to avoid mosquitos is to: 1) stay inside when they are most active (in the late afternoon, early evening, and early morning); 2) sleep under a mosquito net (tucked under the mattress and treated with an insecticide); 3) cover as much of your body with clothing as possible, wearing long sleeve, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; 4) use a repellant and your skin and a toxicant on your clothing; and 5) stay in hotels that are well-screened or air-conditioned, if screens are insufficient ask for mosquito netting. Fans and mosquito coils are also effective in keeping mosquitos away. Sandals should be avoid and pants should be tucked into socks in places with lots of ticks. White or light clothing makes ticks easier to spot.

Many Africans who live malaria-endemic areas use nets but still get the disease. Many people in hot countries don't like them because the keep out the breeze.

Bed Bugs, Ticks and Lice

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bed bug Bed bugs are wingless insects that hide in the creases of mattresses, carpets and bedroom furniture and crawl out at night to suck the blood of human victims while they sleep. Victims wake up and find large, bloody, itchy welts on their skin.

Bed bugs are parasites that feed on the blood of humans, bats and chickens. Adult bedbugs can live up to a year without eating, which makes them especially hard to kill. A single female can lay enough eggs to infest an apartment. Evidence of bed bugs includes small dark spots on the mattress (possibly bed bug excrement), blood stains and unexplained bites on the skin.

After World War II, better household hygiene and the use of strong pesticides help eliminate them from the United States. But in recent years they have made a comeback there in part because the pesticides that brought them under control are now deemed to be too dangerous to use and the high number of international travelers that bring the bugs back from their trips. The good news about bed bugs is that they do not transmit any disease.

Ticks are blood-sucking creatures related to spiders. They evolved from spiders and became parasites. They have eight short legs, powerful jaws and special sense organs at the end of their front legs that enable them to locate a host by detecting odors and humidity. Ticks wait on leaves, stems and grass for a host to pass by. This may seem likely a inefficient way of locating a host. Ticks are very patient. Some species can go for seven years between meals.

Once it finds a host, a tick digs through the hair to the skin , cuts an incision with its pincers and, holding on with its teeth, inserts its grooved snout, covered with backward-pointing hooks, through which it sucks blood. It will gorge itself for several hours or days and may swell from the size of rice grain to the size of a large marble. If it is mature, it will drop off and breed.

You can avoid lice by washing yourself, your hair, and your clothes frequently. If you are worried have a friend examine your hair for lice eggs which usually laid near the base of the hairs. They can be redirected with an insecticide shampoos such as Lorexanne, Suleo and Pormula PCT (Delva).

Leeches

Leeches are segmented, hermaphroditic worms. There are 650 known species of them. Some are quite specialized. One lives exclusively in the nostrils of Saharan camels. Another feed only on earthworms. Yet another feed on fishes found in freezing polar waters. Horse leeches can reach a length of eight inches. The largest species is found in the Amazon basin. It reaches a length of 18 inches and has an six-inch proboscis. .

New World leeches tend to track their hosts through the water. Old World leeches stalk their prey on land. Most species of leech like be near water.. They are found in ponds, wetland and tropical rainforests. In many places they appear in the rainy season and disappear in the dry season. Leeches are good swimmers. They swim like eels, except with their tails forward.

Leeches feed on other live animals, ether swallowing worms, snails of insect larvae or attaching themselves to a host and sucking their blood. A typical leech is one is one to 4 inches long and has suckers at each end of its body and has three jaws, arranged in a "Y," with sawlike teeth. It’s “brain” is a collection of 32 nerve bundles located in the middle of its body. If enough hosts are available a leech can live for five years.

Bee Stings and Poisonous Plants

If you are stung by a bee or wasp remove the stinger with tweezers or by scraping the skin at the point of penetration. Don't leave the stinger in the skin and don’t grab it by the free end, since this is often the location of the venom sac and may result in squeezing in more venom.. For relief from the sting and itching you can soak the sting in cool water, apply a cold pack or rub on calamine lotion. Over-the-counter antihistamines also offer relief.

For protection and relief from poisonous plants such as poison ivy you should know what the plants look like, avoid them, wear shoes, long sleeve shirt and long pants, and avoid wandering off the beaten path. If you are exposed to a poisonous plant, you should wash the exposed area immediately with soap and cool running water, remove and wash your clothing, and avoid scratching. For relief tale a cool shower, apply calamine lotion and take oral diphenhydramine. Some over-the-counter creams such as topical hydrocortisone cream and bentoquatam applied to the affected area also offer relief.

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giardia cycle

Motion Sickness, Prickly Heat and Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are common in hot, humid places. They include athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch and other infections in the groin, scalp and between the fingers and toes. They can be avoided by wearing loose clothes, staying as dry as possible, and avoiding wet, sweaty clothes and washing frequently and drying well afterwards. Treatment usually involves using an anti-fungal cream or powder such as tolnaftate (Tinaderm).

Prickly heat is a temporary but irritating condition caused by blocked sweat-gland pores and characterized by tiny blisters on the skin. Caused by sweat that can't work its way out of the body, it sometimes afflicts people from temperate climates while they are in the tropics and usually occurs under thick skin or calluses. Drinking liquids to promote sweating makes it worse. Loose fitting clothing and scrubbing to open up clogged pores helps and some medications offer relief. The condition goes away when the individual becomes acclimated to his or her hot surroundings.

Some people are more susceptible to motion sickness than others. Some useful strategies to avoid alcohol, eat light meals. sleep, wear dark glasses and look forward and focus on a distant, stable object when moving. Over-the-counter motion sickness motion sickness medications available in the United States include antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and meclizine. These medications are more effective preventing motion sickness than curing it and are best taken an hour before doing something that may cause motion sickness. Motion sickness patches are available, They slowly releases the medication. They are applied to the skin the day of departure and removed after arrival.

Some travelers get annoying skin diseases and irritants such as scabies. There are usually skin medications for these conditions.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Gynecological Problems

Gonorrhea and syphilis symptoms use include blisters or a rash around the genitals and a discharge or pain when urinating. Symptoms are often less obvious with women. With syphilis the symptoms often disappear but cause severe problems years later. The treatment for gonorrhea and syphilis is usually antibiotics.

Syphilis is caused by the “Treponema pallidum” bacterium and can cause damage ti may organs in the body. The initial symptoms — a painless sore followed by a rash — often unnoticed and disappear without treatment. However the bacteria can remain in the body for years. If left untreated, it can strike all parts of the body, causing pain and discomfort and eventually producing general paralysis and death.

Syphilis has been successfully treated with penicillin since the 1940s. It has been eliminated from several developed countries and has almost been eliminated from the United States but remains a problem elsewhere. People with syphilis are more likely to get HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS sufferers with syphilis are more likely to infect others with HIV/AIDS.

Gynecological problems can be avoided by maintaining personal hygiene and wearing cotton, or loose fitting pants and underwear. Yeast infection symptoms include itching, rash and discharge. Treatment includes vinegar or lemon juice douche. Trichomonas is similar but more serious.

Image Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cdc.gov/DiseasesConditions

Text Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheets; National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides and various websites books and other publications.

Last updated May 2022