|
|
|
Bryce Canyon - a stunning US travel destination
Bryce Canyon is not a canyon. It is the spectacular edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, a place where intricately carved towers and archways of stone shimmer in a dazzling array of colour under the bright sun. The state of Utah in the United States is...
Preparing to travel
The world has changed a lot in the past century. Thanks to the invention of airplanes and high-speed trains, today's world is wide open to travel. In a day's time, we can travel to the other side of the world without using our entire life's savings....
Travel Agency Software - The Travel Jungle
Travel Agency Software - The Travel Jungle
Charles Darwin was one of the most traveled people in history.
Can you imagine the commissions his travel agent earned?
How many times have you been held up trying to book a flight or
hotel...
Travel Canada: The Calgary Stampede
Welcome travelers to Cowtown, Canada! This two-week long festival starting the first Friday after June 2nd can showcases everything under the sun to do with ranching. Here is a short description of the attractions, events and festivities this...
Tricks For Traveling By Sea
Tricks That Can Make Traveling By Sea Easier
Motion sickness is common to almost everybody. It is usually
frequent to those who travel a lot, whether by land, air, or
sea. The different forms of motion sickness are based on the
kind of...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travelling Overseas - Staying Healthy
Every year, millions of people visit developing countries. Of these, many are business people looking for new opportunities.
With a myriad of development potential available in the Asian region, business people are flocking overseas in order to get in at the ground floor. Many travel to these regions on a regular basis, exposing themselves to diseases ranging from differing strains of hepatitis to typhoid and polio.
Unfortunately, many of these diseases are not discriminating - they can be caught even when staying in 5-star accommodation. Also, some of them require long convalescent periods. For example, hepatitis A can mean an absence from work of up to 8 weeks, depending on the severity of the attack.
The problem facing business people and travellers is that often they have not been exposed to a wide range of infections. This means they have little or no natural immunity to diseases common in other parts of the world.
For example, even when staying at resort-standard hotels in areas such as Taiwan, the traveller still has a 1 in 300 chance of developing hepatitis A. Budget travellers increase their risk by as many as six times.
The sensible solution is to make sure you receive the recommended vaccinations for any overseas country you visit. It is important, however, to realize that for many vaccines to be totally effective, a series of doses over an extended period of time are required. For example, hepatitis B vaccines usually require a couple of months before they reach their full effectiveness.
Vaccination is not the only precaution that should be taken when travelling in a developed country. Many diseases are transmitted through food which has been handled by a carrier of the disease. This means that uncooked vegetables, salads, raw meat, shellfish, and drinks made with water or ice are
all potential health hazards, and should be approached with caution.
Other things that should be observed are the general cleanliness of the restaurant or food preparation area. A restaurant with no electricity, meat covered in flies hanging on hooks and perhaps a few stray animals wandering around is hardly likely to be a good risk!
There are also the risks that can be avoided much more easily. These include casual sexual contact, intravenous drug use and other skin piercing activities such as tattooing and ear-piercing.
It is also important that you mention to your doctor that you have been travelling overseas to developed countries if you develop any symptoms such as nausea, lethargy, fever or jaundice after your return. These can often be categorised as a flu or common virus, when in fact they may be symptoms of a hepatitis infection. With full travel details, the doctor will be more able to make a correct diagnosis and suggest necessary further testing.
With almost all health issues, the key to disease free overseas travel is common sense. If you are going to be visiting a developing area, take the time to ensure you receive the necessary vaccinations in plenty of time for your trip. After all, that small amount of forethought may prevent a great deal of trouble later on.
Copyright Felicity Walker 2005
About the Author
Travelling is a much loved past time for the author. Check out <a target="_new" href="http://www.worldtravelinfozone.com">http://www.worldtravelinfozone.com or <a target="_new" href="http://www.worldtravelinfozone.com/international-travel-health/">http://www.worldtravelinfozone.com/international-travel-health/ for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|