Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
can also cause persistent diarrhoea. Ideally, seek medical advice if you suspect you have
giardiasis, but if you are in a remote area you could start a course of antibiotics.
DRINKING WATER
Don't drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected (such as with iodine tablets).
Don't drink from streams, rivers and lakes. It's also best to avoid drinking from pumps and wells; some bring pure
water to the surface, but the presence of animals can contaminate supplies. Bottled water is widely available, ex-
cept in very remote areas, where you should carry a filter or purification tablets.
Environmental Hazards
Heat Exhaustion
This condition occurs following heavy sweating and excessive fluid loss with inadequate
replacement of fluids and salt, and is particularly common in hot climates when taking un-
accustomed exercise before full acclimatisation. Symptoms include headache, dizziness
and tiredness. Dehydration is already happening by the time you feel thirsty; aim to drink
sufficient water to produce pale, diluted urine. Self-treatment: fluid replacement with wa-
ter and/or fruit juice, and cooling by cold water and fans. The treatment of the salt-loss
component consists of consuming salty fluids, as in soup, and adding a little more table
salt to foods than usual.
Heatstroke
Heat exhaustion is a precursor to the much more serious condition of heatstroke. In this
case there is damage to the sweating mechanism, with an excessive rise in body temperat-
ure; irrational and hyperactive behaviour; and eventually loss of consciousness then death.
Rapid cooling by spraying the body with water and fanning is ideal. Emergency fluid and
electrolyte replacement is usually also required by intravenous drip.
Insect Bites & Stings
Mosquitoes might not always carry malaria or dengue fever, but they (and other insects)
can cause irritation and infected bites. To avoid these, take the same precautions as you
