Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Food
Eating in restaurants is the biggest risk factor for contracting traveller's diarrhoea.
Ways to avoid it include eating only freshly cooked food, and avoiding food that has
been sitting around in buffets.
Heat
Many parts of Thailand are hot and humid throughout the year. For most people it
takes at least two weeks to adapt to the hot climate. Prevent swelling of the feet
and ankles as well as muscle cramps caused by excessive sweating by avoiding
dehydration and excessive activity in the hot hours of the day.
Jellyfish Stings
Box jellyfish stings range from minor to deadly. A good rule of thumb, however, is to pre-
sume a box jelly is dangerous until proven otherwise.
There are many other jellyfish in Thailand that cause irritating stings but no serious ef-
fects. The only way to prevent these stings is to wear protective clothing, which provides a
barrier between human skin and the jellyfish.
THANKS TO DR PETER FENNER FOR THE INFORM4ATION IN THIS BOXED
TEXT.
Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency and requires immediate medical
treatment. Symptoms come on suddenly and include weakness, nausea, a hot dry
body with a body temperature of over 41°C, dizziness, confusion, loss of coordina-
tion, fits and eventually collapse and loss of consciousness.
Insect Bites & Stings
Bedbugs live in the cracks of furniture and walls and then migrate to the bed at
night to feed on you. You can treat the itch with an antihistamine.
Leeches are found in humid rainforest areas. They do not transmit any disease
but their bites are often intensely itchy for weeks afterwards and can easily become
infected. Apply an iodine-based antiseptic to any leech bite to help prevent infec-
tion.
