Resources
Advice for Travelers
High Altitudes
Altitude sickness can be caused by rapid ascent to altitudes over 9000 feet.
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Things to do:
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Do a gradual ascent. If you are mountain climbing or hiking, take a 1 to 2 day
break at an appropriate altitude during your ascent.
Drink extra fluid
Do not overexert yourself
Avoid sedatives, codeine and alcohol
Under specific conditions there are medications that can be considered, talk to
your health-care provider about this.
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Motion Sickness
Many travelers experience motion sickness when traveling by airplane, boat or automobile. This may be avoided by choosing your seat carefully. There are also effective medications available.
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Things to do:
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Drivers seat or front window seat is the best placement in a car.
On a bus sit near the front window.
On a plane, sit over the wings or wheels (as these are the most stable)
On a boat, get a mid-ship cabin close to the waterline
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Jet Lag
Jet lag is a common complaint of travelers who travel over more than 3 time zones. Your body runs on an internal biological clock and time is needed to adjust to new time zones. Symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, headaches and decreased appetite.
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Things to do:
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Break up your trip if possible by 1 day of rest for every 6 time zones crossed.
Avoid caffeine, excessive alcohol and heavy meals.
Schedule important meetings, etc 24 hours after arrival.
Alter your sleep habits 1 week prior to departure if possible.
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Travelers’ Diarrhea
Most travelers’ diarrhea does not need medical attention and is usually a self-limiting illness that can last several days. However, high-risk travelers may need daily antibiotic therapy to prevent diarrhea. Prophylaxis with daily antibiotics is usually NOT recommended.
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Things to do:
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Avoid raw vegetables and fruit that you do not peel yourself. Avoid
unpasteurized dairy products, cooked foods not served hot and tap water
(including ice).
If you do develop mild diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids, take an over-the-counter
medication such as Imodium, initially 4 mg and then 2 mg after each loose
stool, maximum of 16 mg per day for adults. Imodium should not be
used if a fever or blood diarrhea are present.
If you develop a fever or bloody stools, consult your health-care provider.
If diarrhea is moderate to severe and persistent, an antibiotic such as
ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin or ofloxacin may be needed.
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Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are the most common travelers’ disease other than fever and GI illness.
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Things to do:
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Travelers should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an
alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid visiting live animal markets in China.
Countries with documented outbreaks of avian influenza avoid live poultry
markets, farms and contact with sick or dead poultry and surfaces that are
contaminated with poultry feces. Eat only poultry products that are well
cooked.
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Venous Thormboembolism
Prolonged immobilization (especially with air travel) increases the risk of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clot. Risk factors for DVT are a past history of DVT, obesity, malignancy and increased platelets.
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Things to do:
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Walk around while on an airplane.
Exercise while sitting by flexing and extending ankles and knees.
Drink extra fluid.
Avoid alcohol and caffine.
Wear compression stockings.
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Insect Precautions
Travel to some areas, especially tropical climates, increases your risks to contact with a variety of insects capable of transmitting infectious diseases. The most well-known of these are mosquitoes, which can transmit a variety of diseases.
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Things to do:
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Apply an insecticide in liquid or spray form, permethrin (Duranon, Permanone,
etc) on clothing, tents, sleeping bags, etc for protection.
Use DEET on exposed skin in combination with the permethrin for increased
protection. Reapply DEET after swimming or excessive sweating.
Use permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets while sleeping in rooms not screened
or air-conditioned.
Limit outdoor activity between dusk and dawn to reduce the risk of malaria and
Japanese encephalitis.
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