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Health Information for Travelers to Central America |
by:
Jean Sutherland |
This article will detail some ofhealth concerns that travelers to Central America and Argentina should be aware of, and prepared for in advance.
Vaccines
Depending on your age, sex, health history, and exactly where you plan on going, your doctor may decide that you, and any children that you are traveling with to Central America should havefollowing vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Rabies
Typhoid Fever
Yellow Fever
Make sure to contact your physician well before leaving your home country (say,couple of months), because other immunizations (such as tetanus or diphtheria) may need to be updated as well.
Travelers' Diarrhea
Visitors to Central America complain more about travelers’ diarrhea than any other medical issue. Make sure that you have packed ample anti-diarrhea tablets (such as diphenoxylate) for everyone in your Central America traveling party. Since this ailment is caused by strains of bacteria contaminating food and water, you should avoid drinking tap water, unsealed beverages, and unpasturized milk, and do not eat raw vegetables, ice, or undercooked meat or poultry. If you do succumb to travelers diahrrea and are suffering for more than two-three days, visitCentral American doctor immediately.
Malaria
Malaria is contracted by being bitten byinfected mosquito. If you plan on traveling toCentral American resort, these measures probably aren’t necessary. However, for all other travelers to Central America, you’ll want to have anti-malarial drugs on hand at all times, and try to reduceamount of contact you have with mosquitoes, by wearing long sleeved shirts and pants, dark colored clothing, and staying out of high risk rural areas.
Prescription Drugs
If you are taking prescription drugs before your travels to Central America, make sure to pack enough forentire trip, plus some extra just in case. Label all medications well, and wearmedical alert bracelet withlist ofmedications inside (in both English and any other languages used inarea you are traveling to within Central America), just in case something does happen, and you are unable to tell someone.
Medical Insurance
Check before leaving your home country if your medical insurance will cover any expenses incurred while traveling to Central America. If not, purchasing some extra insurance iswise decision.
Animal Bites
Even if you have recently hadtetanus shot, or have been immunized against rabies, if you are bitten byanimal while traveling to Central America, visitdoctor immediately.
Insect Repellant
If you are traveling within Central America where insects areknown problem, make sure to carry insect repellant with you at all times. Apply it to both your clothing and skin, and make sure everyone in your party has donesame.
Sun Block
The sun can be extremely brutal for travelers to Central America who aren’t used toheat. Make sure to bring lots of sunscreen, and apply it regularly and well before venturing outside. Also,hat is recommended to deflect some ofsun’s rays.
AboutAuthor
Jean Sutherland isowner ofinformative website http://www.spasoftheworld.com/europe/germany.htm & http://www.spasoftheworld.com/spas/index.html She has worked intravel industry for over onezero years and lived in Mexico for three years. Please also look atMexican Animal Shelter site she supports. http://www.anitasanimals.com |
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