Preventing Illness While On Vacation
By Shawn Wilson
It’s winter time in most of the USA and Canada, and with it come plummeting temperatures, and punishing ice and snow storms. We’ve certainly had our share where I live, and every time we get another dump of six or so inches I thank my lucky stars that I have a snow blower.
It’s also around this time of year that a lot of people take a week and sometimes more to escape to a warmer climate. While dreams of tropical beaches, drinks with funny umbrellas and plenty of sunshine are very appealing, there’s a side to vacationing in places like Mexico, the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean destinations that could easily put a damper on your vacation.
Sunburn, insect bites, diarrhea and other stomach related ailments, and of course hepatitis are all conditions that we should take care to protect ourselves from.
Though it may be hard to resist flinging yourself down on a beach towel and baking in the sun, it’s really not a good idea, particularly if you sun burn easily. Investing in a bottle of waterproof sun block with a minimum SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 is a must. Even if you apply this liberally, you should limit your sun exposure. Try to find a shady spot during the hottest part of the day, between 10 am and 3 pm, wear a hat and sunglasses, and keep a light cotton long sleeved shirt and pants handy in case you want to cover up without returning to your hotel room.
Travelers are also susceptible to Hepatitis A and B. Hep A is contracted through contaminated water or food and you can come in contact with that anywhere, not just when you go south on vacation. Hep B is transmitted through bodily fluids, and you’ll be less likely to encounter that when on vacation. You can obtain vaccinations for both and annual vaccination will ensure long term protection. Talk to your doctor well in advance of going away to ensure that you’re protected.
Packing a bottle of insect repellent with DEET can protect you against insects and in particular against mosquitoes which can infect you with malaria. Some resorts in malaria prone areas will supply mosquito netting for your bed, and your doctor may prescribe malaria pills to take just before and during your holiday. Talk to your doctor to determine what is best for you.
Everyone has heard about Montezuma’s revenge. He wasn’t a fun guy, and his revenge can linger for days. This can really spoil a vacation, especially when your vacation is only for one week. The best way to protect yourself is to determine whether or not the resort or hotel you’ll be staying at has its own water purification system. If it does, you’re probably ok to drink the water and the ice cubes, but if it doesn’t, stick to bottled water and avoid the ice. Also avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit. Talk to your pharmacist about the best medication to take with you, just in case!
This article was written by Shawn Wilson, a member of the customer support team at Datepad, where internet dating is always free. Datepad has a massive directory of informative dating articles along with a great list of dating site reviews on their dating blog.
