Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Serious Food And Water Borne Diseases Can Ruin Your Holiday

By Dorothy Yamich

There are a number of serious diseases caused by contaminated water and food. Four of these major diseases are dysentery, which can precede traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera. These diseases are prevalent in third world countries, but people can contract them even in their own home town. Here is information that can help you lessen the odds of getting these diseases when you're on a tropical vacation.

What precautions can you take to lessen the chance of contracting these serious diseases when you travel?

Drink only bottled water when you are on holidays. Check to make sure that the seal of the cap has not been broken. If it shows any sign of being tampering with, do not drink the water. In many third world countries, it is not uncommon for some street vendors, children, or restaurants to fill water bottles with tap water and offer them to tourists as authentic bottled water.

Ice cubes can be another major source of contaminated water. Unlike bottled water, there is no way that you can determine if the ice cubes in your drink were made from a non-contaminated source of water. Unless you know for sure the restaurant, or drinking establishment you are at has an impeccable reputation, you should not use ice cubes in your drinks.

When you're on a tropical vacation you should avoid eating any uncooked foods like salads as they are another major source of these diseases.

How do people usually contract traveler's diarrhea?

Traveler's diarrhea is usually caused by contaminated water or food, but it can also be caused by stress or a change of location when you are traveling. Some of the symptoms are gas, feeling nauseas, upset stomach, cramps and a liquid stool.

What should you do if you get traveler's diarrhea?

You should drink a lot of purified water and soda or pop to prevent dehydration. These symptoms usually subside within two or three days, if these symptoms persist or get more severe, you should get medical help immediately as you may have one of two more serious conditions, bacteria, or amoeba dysentery.

What are some common of the symptoms of dysentery?

Severe headaches, stomach cramps, a high fever, vomiting, blood and/or mucous in the stool are the usual symptoms of both bacteria and amoeba caused dysentery. Both types of dysentery can develop into very serious conditions if left untreated. Seek medical help immediately.

What's the difference between hepatitis A and B?

Hepatitis A is a highly infectious disease that is spread through contaminated food and water (including ice cubes). Hepatitis B is spread in the same way that the HIV virus is spread, by infected blood or body fluids through sexual contact, a transfusion, or a cut or break in the skin. Both diseases have similar symptoms which may include a fever, chills, headaches, feeling fatigued, aches and pains, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, lack of appetite, dark colored urine and light colored feces. Jaundiced skin and yellow whites of the eyes are also common symptoms. If you get some, or all of these symptoms you must seek medical help as soon as possible. However, as a precaution, it would make sense to see your local health authority before you travel on vacation and get vaccinated against both of these diseases. Remember that your first line of defense is to get vaccinations to protect yourself against hepatitis A and B before traveling.

It is advisable to ask your local health authority if you need to be vaccinated before your trip. Some of the countries you plan to visit could require an up to date vaccination certificate. Even if they don't, it still makes a lot of sense to get vaccinated as hepatitis A is highly infectious. Hepatitis B can trigger AIDS. Both diseases will attack the liver. There is a vaccination, Twinrix, which protects you from both hepatitis A and B. You can find more information about this vaccination at Twinrix.com.

What things can you do if you get cholera?

Cholera causes bad diarrhea, which may lead to severe dehydration and possibly death. This disease is contracted through contaminated food and water. And immunization is not considered effective, so you need to practice good hygiene.

How can you protect yourself from getting typhoid?

Typhoid is a disease that is also contracted through contaminated food and water. You should be immunized for typhoid if you are traveling to countries where the sanitation is poor.

About the Author:

Announcing a beta release of the Android SDK

Add to: File Insurance Business article Teen Photo Images

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Mobile Reviews Updates

Copyright © 2007 - 2008 Hitvahot.Com.All Rights Reserved.
Template by - Daya Earth Blogger Template | Powered by Blogger.Com | Resources | Privacy Policy | Contact | RSS by Feedburner | Top
Hitvahot.com Article - Business article directory featuring loans,loans, debt, business, insurance, bad credit loans, cash advance, mortgages, payday loans, personal loans, christian dating, online degrees, bankruptcy, credit cards, credit repair, debt consolidations, debt relief, refinancing, business opportunity, distance learning, lead generation, cheap auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance, anorexia, directory.