Travel Bugs and Bother

The number of international travelers has dramatically increased in the recent years. In the mid-1900s, 31 million international air travelers were recorded. By the year 2000, the figure shot up to more than 2 billion passengers. With such number, it is inevitable that some portion of this population of travelers will become ill or have health accidents while they are abroad. Most of the travel-related illnesses and accidents are preventable, at least to some extent. This article tackles common ailments that could ruin your trip and some practical advice on how to minimize the risk of acquiring them.
Altitude Sickness
By traveling by air, people are more likely to encounter altitude sickness particularly at heights greater than 2400 meters (8000 feet) and if you have ascended too quickly without allowing the body to adjust for lower pressure of oxygen. It often presents with headache, and a feeling of listlessness. Even some activities would be very strenuous, and a person may feel nauseous and breathing may become irregular. Some may experience flu-like manifestations. The symptoms may appear within six to ten hours following ascent, and may last for three days. Occasionally, altitude sickness can progress to a difficulty in breathing accompanied with unusual behavior, unsteadiness, pulmonary and cerebral edema, coma, and even death.
In order to prevent altitude sickness, it is advised to ascend slowly. The person experiencing this should also avoid doing strenuous activities, rest, and take plenty of fluids as well as alcohol since dehydration is also thought to be a contributing factor.
Dehydration
All too often, traveling by air, sea, or land will leave you dry and thirsty probably because of the lack of humidity inside the cabin, or the temperature of the place you are traversing especially in hot countries. People with diseases of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract should have extra precautions because they are easily dehydrated. So before traveling, always maintain an adequate fluid intake. Or wherever you may go, ensure that you always have enough water on hand as there is always a risk that water in some areas may be unsafe.
Diarrhea
Traveler’s diarrhea is probably the most common illness among people going abroad or to a different place. This may be a result of a change in eating habits as well as being unaccustomed to the food and drink of a particular place. More often, it is caused by poor hygiene and sanitation in food storage and preparation. Water may also be contaminated with bacteria. So, to reduce the chance of acquiring the disease, it is advisable to drink only from purified bottled water. Also, take additional precaution when it comes to food. Symptoms are usually mild which may include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes a low-grade fever. It will usually last for only 3 to 4 days.
Mosquito-borne illnesses
People traveling to some areas like the tropics should be careful with mosquito-borne illnesses. Dengue fever, a viral disease, is more common in the tropics and may cause symptoms such as fever, rashes, headache, and muscle and joint pain. When left unmanaged, dengue fever could progress into dengue shock syndrome which could be fatal. Treatment for dengue is mainly supportive but prevention is still the best measure against it. So, while on a trip, make sure to use insect repelants and wear long and protective clothing.
Another mosquito-borne illness is malaria. Although there is no known vaccination against the disease, those who are traveling to malarial areas should consult with their doctor whether any preventive medications should be taken.
Sunburn
A trip to sunny destinations increases the risk for sunburn and subsequently skin cancer. Hence, remember to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, even on cloudy days. Re-apply whenever you go swimming. If you do get sunburn, take a cold shower and apply cold packs on the area. If necessary, take pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling. Severe sunburns that are blistered may need proper treatment from a physician.
Frostnip and Frostbite
Extremely low temperatures could also lead to frostnip and frostbite which is indicated by numbness and whitening of the skin. Affected areas such as the hand must be re-warmed by placing them in warmer areas of the body such as the armpit. Do not rub the area in the attempt to warm it. Seek professional help as frostnip may progress to second, third, or fourth degree frostbite where there is a risk of losing the affected part temporarily or even permanently.