subject: AVOID THE PAIN OF TRAVELLERS' DIARRHOEA [print this page] This year, an estimated 100 million holidaymakers and expats - between 10-20% of all international travellers - will be struck down by the most common form of travel illnesses, Travellers' Diarrhoea (TD or 'Montezuma's Revenge') followed by food poisoning. Although rarely life threatening, TD can seriously disrupt or cause cancellation to a holiday but there are many simple ways to avoid and minimise the risk of sickness. The primary source of infection is contracted through the ingestion of contaminated food and water, which can develop rapidly causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, fever, urgency and malaise. The most important determinant of risk is the destination. Those destinations prone to food and water poisoning include Latin (Central) America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia where exotic foods combined with poor standards of hygiene create the perfect breeding ground for disease. How to minimise the risk Travellers can seriously reduce their risk of contracting Travellers' Diarrhoea and/or food poisoning by practising the following effective prevention measures: Avoid eating foods or drinking beverages purchased from street vendors or other establishments where unhygienic conditions are present Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables unless the traveller peels them What to avoid: Products most commonly associated with increased risk for TD include tap water, ice, salads, uncooked vegetables, fruit, pasteurised milk and dairy produce. Food should be selected with care, raw food could be contaminated and even cooked food can be host to bacteria - make sure meats are hot throughout. Some fish, even when cooked, are not safe to eat due to the level of toxins contained within their flesh. Water, whether drinking, adding ice to a drink or even brushing teeth, should be treated with care in areas with poor sanitation. Infants younger than 6 months should either be breast-fed or be given powdered commercial formula prepared with boiling water. Protect Yourself: Boiling is the most effective method to make water safe to drink. Hot beverages (such as tea or coffee) made with boiling water, canned or bottled carbonated beverages, beer and wine are all safe to drink. These guidelines are created as purely precautionary; the only sure way to safeguard yourself against the cost of sickness is to take out a comprehensive travel insurance or international health insurance policy. One familiar slogan is still the most important basic rule to follow: 'Cook it, boil it, peel it - or leave it'.
AVOID THE PAIN OF TRAVELLERS' DIARRHOEA
By: Michael Ramsay
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