Health and Beauty tips

The number of tourists to developing countries is growing annually. Along with exploration of new ways of living, such trips can threaten your health at a significant extent. Thus, a number of precautions should be taken by travelers who are going to embark on prolonged vacations and visit developing or tropical countries.

The first step in preparing for travel to a developing nation should become a visit to the doctor. Since your primary care physician may be unaware of medical trends in foreign countries, a local travel clinic may be especially helpful. Travelers to developing countries should have a complete check-up at least 8 to 10 weeks before the trip. They should obtain a summary of their medical histories to take with them, including a list of drug allergies. They should also prepare a list of medications they normally use, specifying all trade and generic names and dosages. In addition, the doctor should provide a letter authorizing any necessary medications to facilitate customs and security checks.

As far as vaccinations and other preventive medicine for travelers are concerned, travelers to developing countries should make sure their recommended routine vaccinations are up to date. Booster shots may be required even if travelers to developing nations have completed the initial series. Vaccinations may include polio, meningitis, measles, chicken pox, yellow fever, meningitis, polio, typhoid, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap).

Upper respiratory infections are very widespread after foreign travel. When traveling to any country during flu season, the influenza vaccine may be recommended, especially for the elderly and people at risk for serious illness.

Skin tests should be performed before traveling to areas with tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks; those with negative tests should have a repeat test 2 to 4 months after they return.

All travelers to developing countries and countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis B are highly recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. The hepatitis B vaccination is especially important if you expect to have close or sexual contact with the local population.

Travelers to countries with malaria should take preventive drugs.

First aid supplies which may come in handy to each traveler include sunblock, topical disinfectants, bandage materials, insect repellent, thermometer, antifungal foot powder, hydrocortisone cream for rashes, Imodium for diarrhea, water filtering or water purifying supplies, nonprescription pain reliever.

Travelers also should check if their health insurance company offers any coverage abroad and if not, take care about individual health insurance policies for international travelers.

Traveling around the world can be dangerous as infections that are a distant memory in the United States may be contracted elsewhere. If you want to have only pleasant memories about your journey it is better to know which microscopic invaders hide at your destination and make plans to avoid them. In this article, we will examine several common infections that plague travelers, including:

• Cholera. It can be contracted as a result of eating food or drinking water contaminated with V. cholerae bacteria in a country without adequate water and sewage treatment (like Africa, India, and Latin America). This disease is characterized by severe dehydration and often diarrhea. Fortunately, cholera doesn’t affect the intestines’ ability to absorb fluids, and a full recovery is almost guaranteed.
• Hookworms. Hookworms’ eggs usually enter skin through the toes while you are walking barefoot in the soil or sand, and form raised red spots, itchy lines, or blisters on the affected areas. Yet hookworms are rarely dangerous enough to demand treatment.
• Dengue. This disease is passed along by mosquitoes which bite one human contracted with the virus and then pass it on to their next one, also through a bite. Dengue often develops into a rash or pain in the eyes or joints. A more severe form of the disease, called dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause a fever with a duration up to a week as well as bleeding or bruising. There is no treatment for dengue, and the illness usually clears up on its own.
• Malaria. The parasite that causes the disease is carried by female mosquitoes and lives in your liver. Even immediate symptoms of malaria don’t show immediately, the parasite eventually ruptures your red blood cells, causing high fever, chills, head and muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia. Fortunately, malaria can be effectively neutralized with prescription drugs.
• Traveler’s Diarrhea. It is almost always caused by bacteria, parasite or virus found in food or water that has been contaminated and not adequately purified. This infection leads to watery stools, stomach cramps, low-grade fever, and sometimes even nausea and vomiting. Though it usually clears up within a few days, diarrhea should be taken seriously because it can lead to severe dehydration.
• Typhoid fever travels through food and water infected with Salmonella typhi, often through contact with the feces of an infected person. Fever caused by typhoid can reach as high as 104 degrees, and sometimes a rash of flat, red spots is formed. If treated with antibiotics, typhoid can disappear within a few days. Without treatment it is terminal.
• Yellow fever (jaundice). This disease is spread by infected Aedes mosquitoes. While the recovery occurs within three to four days, the virus can cause bleeding, heart problems, liver or kidney failure, or even brain dysfunction. There is no medical cure for yellow fever, only ways to ease the symptoms. As yellow fever can be terminal it’s highly recommended to get a yellow fever vaccination before you to travel to an affected area, namely sub-Saharan Africa or tropical South America.

Travel is not only exploring new cultures and seeing new sights, it is also associated with health risks. However, simple yet effective steps for those who want to minimize their exposure to almost any major health hazard are as follows:

Eating and drinking safely! In order to prevent oneself from contracting diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A the following foods should be avoided:

• Food that has been kept warm.
• Uncooked food (unless you can peel or shell it yourself).
• Food likely to have been exposed to flies.
• Ice cream sold from unreliable sources such as kiosks.
• Unpasteurized milk.
• Uncooked fish.

Taking care in the sun! While the sun is an important source of vitamin D and should be enjoyed, sunburn by overexposure can lead to premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.
In order to avoid sunburns it is advisable to stay out of the midday sun, wear a wide brimmed hat and tightly woven but loose clothing. To protect parts of your skin exposed to the sun, sun cream should be used, and you should also wear sunglasses with UV-filter to protect your eyes.

Using insect repellent to cover up your arms and legs can prevent you from serious and sometimes fatal infections transmitted by insect bites.

Taking care in water. Never go swimming alone. Remember that fatal accidents can happen very easily in water. Watch out for your friends and family and make sure they are watching out for you too while you are swimming!
If you are going to dive into the water, make sure to find a place deep enough for this activity. It may look funny when you imagine this picture, but many people get permanently paralyzed or even killed as a result of diving into shallow waters.

Taking care on the roads. Traffic accidents are a major cause of death among travelers (both drivers and pedestrians). Always check the local traffic regulations as these can vary enormously from those in your country. Always wear your seatbelt if you are in a car; always wear a helmet if riding a bike or motorbike.
If you are hiring a car, make sure to check the general condition and the insurance cover. Obviously NEVER drink and drive.

Taking care while taking up hazardous sports and diving. Always follow the relevant safety guidance while taking part in a hazardous activity; make sure there are adequate emergency medical facilities nearby; make sure that your medical insurance fully covers you in the event of an accident. Divers should allow a minimum of 24 hours between their last dive and a flight.

Whether you are looking for relaxation or adventure - travel can be really enjoyable and worthwhile. just make sure you take all the necessary precautions to ensure safe your travel!