Tasting local cuisine in such conditions is dangerous to health
Doctors say that holidaymakers are increasingly bringing back diseases that physicians in civilized countries had long forgotten – cholera, plague, yellow fever. Which routes should be taken seriously and how to ensure one's own safety? Experts warn: the most important thing for a tourist heading to distant countries is to choose the right travel agency. It is their duty to warn about possible diseases and necessary vaccinations, as well as to arrange medical insurance. Moreover, it should include a full range of services. After all, the hot climate of countries where bedbug control, cockroaches and other such creatures are not considered a necessity, promotes the spread of infectious diseases, most of which are known only by hearsay in our country.
From buffet to hospital bed
Dysentery is one of the most common diseases that tourists bring back from hot countries. "In Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, the chances of contracting dysentery are just as high as in the African jungle," said Alexander Smirnov, chief physician of the infectious and tropical diseases department at one clinic. "Living conditions, contrary to popular belief, do not matter here. The hotel can be the best, the beach the cleanest, and the so-called buffet is almost everywhere. But despite this, getting infected with dysentery even in such conditions is easy. It is unknown what water is used to wash vegetables and fruits, how many hands grab the plates, what towels are used. As a result, abdominal pain begins, fever rises, and if you don't see a doctor in time, it can be fatal." Moreover, dysentery is a sneaky disease: it manifests only some time after eating or visiting a pool, so even with the slightest signs of illness, specialists advise seeking medical attention immediately to prevent the disease from developing.
In addition to dysentery, salmonellosis and amebiasis can be contracted in these countries. Their danger is that they can suddenly "flare up," then subside, and for a while the vacationer may not even suspect that a virus is developing inside them. As a result, such a trip can end more than sadly: with a liver abscess or even a ruptured intestine. Such consequences are treated surgically, but you can take care of your safety in advance. For example, bring several packs of tablets that cleanse the intestines and remove toxins from the body. On vacation, doctors also recommend drinking as much bottled water as possible.
An Old Scourge Not Forgotten
Strangely enough, cholera remains one of the most common infectious diseases today. "For some reason, many tourists believe that this disease, along with plague, is a danger of past centuries," says Angelina Dabatskaya, a leading specialist at one of the capital's medical centers. "However, quite often travelers return with exactly this diagnosis. The most popular countries where you can catch cholera are India, Laos, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, and Angola. It is in hot countries that the causative agents of the disease – vibrios – are very active. They enter the human body through contaminated food and, mainly, water. The most dangerous products are those that are not heat-treated – jellies, salads, raw fruits, milk. Infection is also possible through contaminated household items – dishes and bedding."
Vomiting, dizziness, headache and diarrhea are the characteristic signs of cholera, which lead to dehydration. Therefore, when ill, it is necessary to stock up on large quantities of warm fresh – definitely purified – water and drink it as often as possible to avoid promoting the multiplication of viruses in the body. However, cholera treatment is only possible in a hospital, which has all the necessary equipment for procedures. There, patients undergo gastric lavage, which consists of a dozen procedures and can last up to several months.
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Plague Vacation