Recommendations during the trip

During the trip You are exposed to tropical infectious diseases and natural elements of your journey such as heat, humidity, consumption of unsafe food and water, and mosquitoes. That is why in these circumstances the traveler must remember the recommendations that were given to him at the Center for International Health.

During air travel, two syndromes can occur, economy class and “Jet lag”. Economy class syndrome can affect anyone, even healthy and sports people, if the flight lasts more than 4 hours due to immobility and the little space between the seats, clots may appear in the veins of the legs. Therefore, it is recommended: getting up from time to time, walking down the aisle of the plane, doing stretching exercises in the seat itself, and rotating and flexion-extension movements of the legs and feet. Likewise, it is advisable not to sleep with your legs crossed, drink plenty of fluids, avoid drinking alcohol, coffee or hypnotic drugs, and wear elastic stockings if you suffer from venous insufficiency.

On the other hand, the “” is characterized by the presence of irritability, fatigue and insomnia when going east or west because the biological clock does not coincide with the real time of the destination. To avoid this syndrome, it is advisable to be as rested as possible before the trip, eat lightly, limit alcohol consumption and take short periods of sleep (about 20 minutes) during the flight, as well as quickly adapt to the rhythm of your destination.

In tropical countries, solar radiation is perpendicular to the earth's surface, so the traveler is more exposed to the sun. To avoid heat stroke or dehydration, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids; use glasses, hat and sun protection cream (minimum FP of 20); wear light and comfortable cotton or linen clothing; avoid the midday sun; and take the same precautions both inside and outside the water, since water does not protect from solar radiation.

However, the most common health problem is digestive infections that are transmitted by unsafe water or food because the cold chain has been broken or they have been contaminated by flies. To avoid diarrhea it is advisable to eat freshly cooked, boiled or fried food, drink packaged or boiled products, such as coffee or tea, and brush your teeth with bottled, boiled or disinfected water with purification tablets. Therefore, avoid street or raw food, such as salads, seafood or fruit peeled by third parties, and avoid ice cubes, dairy products or other beverages that are not boiled or packaged or sealed, as well as natural fruit juices that have not been squeezed. In its presence.

In the case of diarrhea, remember that the most important thing is to maintain good hydration by drinking plenty of fluids (2 to 3 liters a day), an astringent diet, and using oral rehydration preparations or antisecretory antidiarrheals if necessary. If the diarrhea is more severe with fever (≥38ºC), blood, mucus or pus in the stool, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Bathing in the sea is safe, as well as in hotel pools as long as they are properly chlorinated. Remember that in the case of diving, at least 12 hours must pass between the dive and the flight, or 24 hours if decompression stops have been necessary during the ascent to the surface. Therefore avoid bathing in fresh waters, such as rivers or lakes, since the water could contain parasites capable of penetrating the skin, and if you do, wear appropriate footwear for the occasion and avoid walking barefoot. Germs exist not only in the water but also on the ground, therefore to avoid possible accidents, friction blisters or fungal infections, it is recommended to wear wide, closed shoes made of breathable material.

Pets, stray, or present in tourist centers, although apparently docile, can bite and transmit certain diseases, such as rabies. In the event of such contact, it is advisable to wash immediately with a disinfectant or soap and consult a doctor to assess the risk and indicate specific therapeutic measures. It is therefore recommended to avoid contact with animals, examine clothing and footwear before use, as well as iron clothes that have been left to dry in the sun because there could be hidden germs or animals.

Mosquitoes can transmit a myriad of diseases, although the most frequent to which the traveler will be exposed are malaria or dengue. Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by a mosquito of the genus Anopheles that has a nocturnal habit, while dengue is a viral disease transmitted by a mosquito of the genus Aedes with a diurnal habit. To avoid mosquito bites, it is recommended to wear long-sleeved clothing, long pants in neutral colors and socks, not to use perfumes, colognes, or scented gels or shaving creams, to sleep under mosquito nets and to apply a good insect repellent on the skin. There are repellants on the market of variable efficacy and duration of natural origin, such as eucalyptus oil, or chemical (diethyltoluamide or DEET at 35-50%), suitable for children and adults. It is advisable to use these repellants repeatedly, according to the product's technical data sheet, on uncovered areas of the body at times and places of maximum risk, after applying a moisturizer or sunscreen.

Of interest

In turn, there are sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, which in some countries affects up to 30% of the apparently healthy adult population. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid unprotected sex and in the event of a health examination after the trip.