Common Holiday Health Complaints

Malaria

Malaria, and other diseases spread by insect bites, can be common in some hot countries, so it pays to take steps to protect yourself from them. Here are some handy hints to help protect yourself against the malarial threat:

Cover up as much as you can. Although this might not seem the most obvious thing to do in a hot country, light clothes can actually help you to keep cool in hot conditions, in addition to preventing insect stings.

Use insect repellent every time you head out in a hot country. Repellent sprays that contain DEET (diethyltoluamide) are the most effective. Use it every time you go out in a malaria-affected country, whatever the weather. Make sure that you have a good supply of it with you before you leave, and always carry a small amount of it around with you wherever you are.

It is important to take some kind of preventative anti-malaria medicine if you are going to be visiting a region that is known to have malaria-carrying mosquitoes. As soon as you know your travel itinerary, you should make an appointment with your doctor, as some anti-malarial drugs need to be taken up to a month before you travel to an affected country.

Unfortunately, some strains of malaria are completely resistant to all forms of preventative medicine, so it is important that you seek medical assistance as soon as you develop a fever, or an unexpected illness, while you are away. Even if the symptoms do not show until a few months after your return home, it is still important to inform your GP, as it could be something that you caught abroad.

Food poisoning

No matter where you travel, you cannot guarantee that the standards of hygiene and sanitation will be maintained at their optimum level. This problem can be particularly bad in less developed countries, or in hot climates when food is left lying out. Unless you have information to the contrary, it is a good idea to steer clear of the following on holiday:

water from the tap, including ice cubes
fruit juice ,particularly if it is bought from a street vendor
ice cream
shellfish
any food containing eggs
salads
meat that isn’t thoroughly cooked, meat
peeled fruit
mayonnaise
sauces

Sunburn and heatstroke

Try to cover up with clothing, especially during the sun’s strongest hours of 12pm to 3pm. A hat is a must, as sunburn to the head can be particularly dangerous. Tightly woven fabrics offer better protection than loose fabrics too.

Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more and apply at least half an hour before you go out in the sun. Those with particularly fair skin, or children, should opt for an SPF of 40. Reapply every few hours throughout the day to ensure coverage is maintained.

Wear sunscreen at all times – even on cloudy days, as UVA and UVB rays are not stopped by cloud or fog. You should also wear sunscreen when swimming –as the suns rays can penetrate through even a metre of water, and always reapply after a swim.

By: Derek Lakes

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