Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
With a fever, it could be caused by bacterial dysentery , which may clear up without treat-
ment. If it doesn't, a course of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, tetracycline or ampicillin
(consider taking a course of one of these with you if you're going off the beaten track for a
while) should do the trick, though they will reduce your natural resistance to future bouts.
Similar symptoms to bacterial dysentery persisting or recurring over a period of weeks
could indicate amoebic dysentery , which can have serious long-term effects such as liver
damage. This can be treated with a course of metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Fasigyn),
antibiotics that should not be taken with alcohol. Sudden, watery and bad-smelling diarrhoea,
accompanied by rotten-egg belches and flatulence, is probably giardia, which is also treated
with metronidazole or tinidazole. You should only take these drugs without consultation if
there's no possibility of seeing a doctor. The only sure way to tell what is causing your
diarrhoea is to have a stool test, which can be arranged by doctors in most towns.
The sun
The sun can be strong in Bolivia, and serious sunburn and sunstroke are real risks. This is
particularly true at high altitudes (where the temperature is not that hot but the thin air amp-
lifies the harm done by ultraviolet rays), or when travelling by boat on rivers or lakes (where
cool breezes disguise the effects of the sun as it is reflected off the water). Exposure to the
sun can also increase your chances of developing skin cancer. Long sleeves and trousers pro-
tect your skin from the sun and reduce fluid loss, and you should use a wide-brimmed hat,
decent sunglasses to protect your eyes and a high-factor sunscreen (fifteen or above) on all
exposed skin. Sunblock and suntan lotion are available in pharmacies in the main cities, but
they're generally expensive, so it's better to bring a supply with you from home. Sunscreen
lip-balm is also worth using. Drink plenty of liquid, particularly if you're exercising, to pre-
vent dehydration , and consider adding extra salt to your food to compensate for the effects
of excessive sweating.
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness - known as soroche in Bolivia - is a serious and potentially life-threaten-
ing illness caused by reduced atmospheric pressure and correspondingly lower oxygen levels
at high altitudes. It can affect anyone who normally lives at low altitude and ascends above
2500m ,andthusisadangeracrossmuchofBolivia,includingmostmajorcities.You'remost
likely to be affected if you fly into La Paz from near sea level - the airport is at over 4000m,
and almost everyone feels at least a touch of breathlessness.
Mild symptoms can include headache, insomnia, breathlessness, nausea, dizziness, loss of
appetite, tiredness, rapid heartbeat and vomiting. The best way to avoid this is to ascend
slowly, if at all possible, and allow yourself time to acclimatize. Avoiding alcohol and phys-
ical exertion and drinking plenty of liquid also help. Bolivians swear by coca tea ( mate de
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