Serious Food And Water Borne Diseases Can Ruin Your Vacation

There are a number of extremely serious diseases caused by contaminated food and water. Four of these major diseases are dysentery, which can be preceded by traveler’s diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis A, and typhoid. These diseases are more prevalent in third world countries, but people can contract them even in their own home town. Here is some info that can help you lessen the chance of getting these diseases when you take a tropical vacation.

What precautions can you take to lessen the chance of contracting these serious diseases when you travel?

You should drink only bottled water when you are on your holidays. Make sure the seal of the cap has not been broken. If it shows signs of being tampering with, do not drink the water. In a number of third world countries, it is common for some street vendors, children, or restaurants to fill water bottles with tap water and offer them to tourists as authentic bottled water.

Ice cubes can be a major source of contaminated water. Unlike bottled water, there is no way that you, as a vacationer, can be sure the ice cubes were made from a safe, non-contaminated source of water unless the restaurant has an impeccable reputation. Therefore, you shouldn’t use ice cubes in your drinks unless you are positive the source of the water is safe.

When you’re on a tropical vacation you should avoid eating any uncooked foods like salads as they are another major source of these diseases.

How can people contract traveler’s diarrhea?

Traveler’s diarrhea is usually caused by contaminated food or water, but it can also be caused by stress or a change of location when traveling. Some symptoms are gas, nausea, upset stomach, cramps and a liquid stool.

What can you do if you get traveler’s diarrhea?

Drink a lot of liquids such as purified water and soda or pop to prevent getting dehydrated. These symptoms usually pass in two or three days, but, if the symptoms persist or are getting more severe, you should find medical help immediately as you could have one of two more serious conditions, bacteria, or amoeba dysentery.

What are some symptoms of dysentery?

Severe headaches, stomach cramps, a high fever, vomiting, blood and/or mucous in the stool are the usual symptoms of both bacteria and amoeba caused dysentery. Both types of dysentery can develop into very serious conditions if left untreated. Seek medical help immediately.

What’s the difference between hepatitis A and B?

Hepatitis A is a very infectious disease that spreads through contaminated food and water (including ice cubes). Hepatitis B is spread in the same way that the HIV virus is spread, by infected blood or body fluids through sexual contact, a cut or break in the skin, or a transfusion. Both diseases have similar symptoms which may include headaches, fever, chills, feeling fatigued, stomach cramps, aches and pains, nausea and vomiting, a lack of appetite, dark colored urine and a light colored stool. Jaundiced skin and yellow whites of the eyes are also usual symptoms. If you get some, or every one of these symptoms you must seek out medical help as soon as you can. As a precaution, however, it would make sense to see your local medical health professional before you travel on vacation and get vaccinated against both of these diseases. Always keep in mind that your first line of defense is to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B before you traveling.

It’s advisable to find out from your local medical health authority if you should be vaccinated before your trip. Some countries you want to visit may require an up-to-date vaccination certificate. Even if they don’t require one, it still makes good sense to be vaccinated as hepatitis A is highly infectious. Hepatitis B may lead to AIDS. Both of these diseases attack the liver. There is a vaccination called Twinrix which protects you against both hepatitis A and B. You can find out more about this combo vaccination at Twinrix.com.

What things can you do if you get cholera?

Cholera causes bad diarrhea, which may lead to severe dehydration and possibly death. This disease is contracted through contaminated food and water. And immunization is not considered effective, so you need to practice good hygiene.

How can you protect yourself from contracting typhoid?

Typhoid is also transmitted through contaminated food and water. You should be immunized for typhoid if you are planning to travel to any country where the sanitation is poor.

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