Survival Guide - Discover Turkey: Experience the Best of Turkey - page 743

Rabies
Rabies, spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal, is endemic
in Turkey. However, vaccination is not recommended unless you are travelling to remote
areas, where a reliable source of post-bite vaccine is not available within 24 hours. Vac-
cination does not provide immunity, it merely buys you more time to seek medical help.
Any bite, scratch or lick from a warm-blooded, furry animal should immediately be
thoroughly cleaned. If you have not been vaccinated and you get bitten, you will need a
course of injections starting as soon as possible after the injury.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Heat Illness
Causes Sweating heavily, fluid loss and inadequate replacement of fluids and salt. Partic-
ularly common when you exercise outside in a hot climate.
Symptoms & effects Headache, dizziness and tiredness.
Prevention Drink sufficient water (you should produce pale, diluted urine).
Treatment Replace fluids by drinking water, fruit juice or both, and cool down with cold
water and fans. Treat salt loss by consuming salty fluids, such as soup or broth, and
adding a little more table salt to foods.
Heatstroke
Causes Extreme heat; high humidity; dehydration; drug or alcohol use; or physical exer-
tion in the sun.
Symptoms & effects An excessive rise in body temperature, sweating stops, irrational
and hyperactive behaviour, and eventually loss of consciousness and death.
Treatment Rapidly cool down by spraying the body with water and using a fan. Emer-
gency fluids and replacing electrolytes by intravenous drip is usually also required.