This year has a long list of holidays that you can utilize to the fullest. If you are up for some adventures or planning a travel abroad, or in a mood to explore new places then this post might be really useful!
Here is a list of diseases that you need to be aware of while traveling abroad:
Travelers’ Diarrhea: Parts of Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East
You may get this disease by consuming contaminated food or water. Having diarrhea can ruin your vacation, and you may end up going to the washroom a number of times. It causes weakness and dehydration. By regularly washing your hands, eating healthy and sticking to bottled water, you can avoid this infection.
Dengue Fever: Parts of Caribbean, Australia, Western Pacific Islands Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America
Found in many parts of the world, this mosquito-spread virus has no vaccine or treatment available yet. And the only way to protect yourself from getting this disease is to cover yourself up with protective clothing and use insect repellent creams/gels/sprays so that mosquitoes cannot bite you. It can take up to two weeks to develop the symptoms of this disease. Symptoms include fever, nausea, pain in the eyes, joints, and eyes, headache and vomiting.
Typhoid Fever: Mauritania, Papua New Guinea, Brazil and Madagascar
This is a waterborne and food-borne disease. Constipation, high fever, stomach pain and diarrhea are some common symptoms of this disease. As this fever can be life threatening, you should take vaccination before travel. Also, be wise with your food choice, as getting vaccinated is always enough.
Schistosomiasis: Africa, South East Asia, parts of the Caribbean and the Middle East
This disease is caused by the Schistosoma parasite worm that is carried by freshwater snails. Bilharzia is the other name of this disease. The worms’ larvae are released by the snails into contaminated freshwater rivers, ponds, wetlands or lakes. Through skin such as the soles of your feet, it then penetrates. Symptoms of this disease include a cough, chills, fever and muscle aches.
How can you protect yourself from these diseases while traveling?
In order to reduce the risk of contracting a disease while abroad, you may follow the below-mentioned tips –
Try not to eat raw food such as salad and meat.
Eat fruits only when you yourself peel them
For drinking and brushing teeth, use only bottled or boiled water
Avoid eating street food
It is better to avoid shellfish, as they can be toxic even after cooking, at certain times of the year
As ice can be from unsafe water, it’s better to avoid drinks with ice
Don’t eat unpasteurized milk as well as dairy products
Always use mosquito net and use insect repellent
Try to stay inside at dawn and dusk, as biting insects are most active in these times
Travelling is always fun and rejuvenating, and there is nothing better then coming back home with all the great stories and adventure! Don’t let your fun and stories be a victim of diseases!