Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Dilek Leyla Mamçu warned against travel diseases before the holidays.
Beware of heatstroke and insect bites
Stating that travel diseases are health problems that occur depending on the place of travel, the way of travel and the activities done at the destination, Dr. Dilek Leyla Mamçu continued her words as follows:
“We can classify the most common travel diseases as microbial diseases, travel-related diseases and diseases related to travel style, destination and activities. Microbial diseases include tourist diarrhea, malaria, jaundice and AIDS. Drowsiness due to time difference and embolism due to long periods of inactivity also stand out as travel-related diseases. In the category of diseases related to travel style, destination and activities, there are heat stroke, altitude sickness, decompression sickness, insect bites and frostbite.
Water of unknown origin should not be consumed
Suggesting to wash hands frequently with soap and water in order to be healthy, Dr. Dilek Leyla Mamçu said, “Only consuming boiled water or water in closed packages will help prevent possible risks. Tap water, natural spring water and iced drinks with unknown water should be avoided. If it is thought that you will have to drink, filters or iodine tablets can be used.
Uncooked food must be peeled
Noting that only cooked food should be consumed, Dr. Dilek Leyla Mamçu said, “If you have to eat uncooked vegetables or fruits, the skin must be peeled. The rule of 'boil, cook, peel or forget it' should not be forgotten. Heating measures should be taken as recommended before, during and after travel. It is useful to keep the feet clean and dry to avoid fungal and parasitic infections. "Be careful against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases," he said.
Salt water should be preferred over fresh water for swimming.
Stating that the food and beverages sold on the streets should not be consumed in order to protect from diseases in places of travel, Dr. Dilek Leyla Mamçu said, “Unpasteurized milk and dairy products should not be consumed. Above all, the same injector should not be used with anyone. In particular, contact with animals such as cats, dogs, monkeys should be avoided and in case of bite or injury, medical professionals should be consulted immediately. Swimming in fresh water should be avoided because salt water is always safer.”
It is useful to have a travel aid kit.
Suggesting that clothes such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and hats should be put in the suitcase while on vacation, Dr. Dilek Leyla Mamçu said, “Fly repellent lotions to apply on the body and clothes, aerosol sprays against insects, diarrhea medicine, portable water filters and iodine tablets, sunscreen, sunglasses, all prescription drugs and other drugs that may be needed should also be kept in the suitcase. In addition to these, it will be beneficial to prepare a first aid kit with a band-aid, antiseptic solution, bandage, sterile bandage, a softening eye drop, allergy creams, a simple pain reliever, thermometer, sterile injector, sugar-salt solutions.
Malaria can have an incubation period of up to 1 year.
Stating that there are things to be considered after the holiday, Dr. Dilek Leyla Mamçu said, “It should not be forgotten that the incubation period of malaria can reach 1 year. It may start with complaints such as fever, flu, sweating, and chills. The trip to the doctor should be mentioned. Apart from malaria, many tropical diseases that are not seen in our country may occur depending on the microbial structure of the country and the immune status of your body. dengue, yellow fever and plague through insect and fly bites; with food and drink cholera, Hepatitis A, cystosomiasis and typhoid; Diseases such as hepatitis B and HIV can be transmitted from person to person,” he warned.
Vaccinations should be given 4-6 weeks before travel
Dr. Dilek Leyla Mamçu reminded that there are vaccines recommended by the health authorities according to the region visited, the duration of stay, the immune status of the person and the current epidemic disease situation, and concluded her words as follows:
“If there is a possibility of hepatitis A or Immune globulin, Hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis, yellow fever, wild or pet contact, especially during travels to sub-Saharan African countries, vaccines such as rabies, tetanus-diphtheria-measles, typhoid fever and Japanese Encephalitis can be used by experts and to be effective. It needs to be done 4-6 weeks before the trip.”