WORLD GEOGRAPHY

CHAPTER 4B: HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES IN TRAVELING

Traveling Risks Mode of transportation Duration and season of travel Purpose of travel Standards of accommodation and food hygiene Behavior of the traveler Underlying health of the traveler

Common Health Issues Diarrhea Malaria Hepatitis

Types of Diseases1. Food and waterborne diseases

Diarrhea Cholera Typhoid fever Hepatitis A

2. Vector-borne diseases Malaria Dengue Yellow fever Tick-borne encephalitis

3. Zoonoses Rabies Leptospirosis Viral hemorrhagic fevers

4. Sexually transmitted diseases Hepatitis B HIV/AIDS Syphilis

5. Bloodborne diseases Hepatitis B and C Malaria HIV/AIDS

6. Airborne diseases Hemorrhagic fever with pneumonia Chickenpox Pulmonary tuberculosis Measles

Diarrhea

Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood. Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables that cannot be pealed and cooked. Avoid eating foods where unhygienic condition is present especially those being sold by street vendors. Drink only bottled water or boiled water appropriately treated with iodine or chlorine as much as possible.

Malaria Be aware of the risks and symptoms. Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Take anti-malarial drugs when appropriate. Seek diagnosis and treatment when fever occurs for a week.

Hepatitis Get vaccination before traveling to any country. Eat only freshly cooked foods. Drink only bottled water or boiled water. Do not share needles, razors, toothbrushes, or other items that may be contaminated with blood. Do not allow yourself to be pierced with tools that are not sterilized. Limit the amount of alcohol consumption.

Traveler’s First-Aid Kit Aspirin Antacid Bandages Anti-diarrhea medication Anti-allergy medication Any prescription/medication taken on a daily basis at home Hand-sanitizing lotion Thermometer Sunscreen Insect repellant Decongestant /antihistamine

Jet lag (desynchronosis) Make sure that your body is in good physical shape. Adapt to the local schedule. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Get up and walk around the plane to exercise your legs from time to time. Get medical advice if you have a medical condition that needs monitoring. Make sure to get enough sunlight to help reset your internal body clock.

Airsickness Choose seats with the smoothest rides. Focus on distant objects inside the plane instead of trying to read. Eat dry crackers or suck a lemon to avoid nausea. Avoid being stressed when you are about to board the plane to make the flight an enjoyable one. Take a nap and relax. Do not drink alcoholic drinks before boarding the plane.

Ear Pain Try yawning or swallowing. Chew on a gum.

Try the Valsalva maneuver: hold your nose and blow gently to equalize the pressure.

Seasickness Keep your eyes focused on the horizon as much as possible and not on the waves. Close your eyes and lie down on your backs. Drink plenty of water before the trip. Suck on lemon drops or a hard candy as soon as the boat begins moving. Have food in your stomach to avoid seasickness.

Food Safety Tips Choose a restaurant that is clean and is located in tourist areas. Avoid buying food from side street vendors. Make sure that cold food is really cold and kept in a freezer or refrigerator. When eating meat loaf, rolled or stuffed meats and whole poultry, make sure they are cooked through the center

to avoid food poisoning. Make it a habit to wash hands before eating or when handling food, after going to the toilet, and after blowing

your nose. Avoid unpasteurized milk and other dairy products. Do not accept food or drinks from strangers. Drink only water from a bottle that is sealed. If you can cook, boil or peel the food, then it is safe to eat. Bring your own vitamin supplements. Always follow the food expiration date on the package.

Travel Safety Tips Check any travel advisories/alerts/warnings that defer travel to a certain country. Keep a photocopy of your passport and all other important documents in a safe place. Do not share your travel plans and accommodation details to strangers. Use ATMs during the day.

Safety on the streets: Avoid incidents such as fights, arguments, riots or civil disturbances at all times. Do not hitchhike. Beware of pickpockets. Avoid traveling alone at night. Act as if you know where you are going even if you seem to be lost. Learn a few phrases in the local language or have them written on a piece of paper. Don’t use shortcuts, alleys, or poorly lit streets. Do not make yourself an obvious target for thieves by wearing expensive jewelries. Try to blend in with the locals and avoid acting out as a tourist.

Safety on your hotel: Keep hotel doors locked at all times. Let someone know when you expect to return if you are late at night. Know the nearest fire exits and staircases. Do not enter the elevator if there is a suspicious-looking person inside. Use the hotel safe if you are going to leave any valuables in your hotel room.

Safety on public transportation: Do not share a taxi ride with a stranger. As much as possible, stay awake at all times. If you are going to ride a train, be careful when walking the corridors, platform or the station. Always securely lock train compartments when inside.

Travel Insurance Usual coverage: Medical expenses Emergency evacuation/repatriation Trip cancellation/interruption Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit Loss, theft or damage to personal possessions and money Personal liability and rental car damage excess Delayed baggage Legal assistance Delayed departure Overseas funeral expenses