Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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 water and/or fruit juice, and cooling by cold wa-
ter 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's damage to the sweating mechanism, with an excessive rise in body temperat-
ure; irrational and hyperactive behaviour; and eventually loss of consciousness and 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
would for avoiding malaria. Use DEET-based insect repellents. Excellent clothing treat-
ments are also available; mosquitoes that land on treated clothing will die.
Bee and wasp stings cause real problems only to those who have a severe allergy to the
stings (anaphylaxis). If you're one of these people, carry an 'epipen': an adrenaline (epi-
nephrine) injection, which you can give yourself. This could save your life.
Scorpions are frequently found in arid or dry climates. They can cause a painful bite
that is sometimes life-threatening. If bitten by a scorpion, take a painkiller. Medical treat-
ment should be sought if collapse occurs.
Fleas and bed bugs are often found in cheap hotels. Fleas are also common on local and
long-distance buses and in the rugs of some remote churches. They lead to very itchy,
lumpy bites. Spraying the mattress with crawling-insect killer after removing bedding will
get rid of them.
Scabies is also frequently found in cheap accommodation. These tiny mites live in the
skin, particularly between the fingers. They cause an intensely itchy rash. The itch is eas-
ily treated with malathion and permethrin lotion from a pharmacy; other members of the
household also need treating to avoid spreading scabies, even if they do not show any
symptoms.
