Page 37 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

HealtH BASICS 35
Other bites and stings well as almost all expats, will head for a private
clinic, where service is likely to be more immediate.
taking steps to avoid being bitten by insects is of the average cost of a consultation with a private
paramount importance (see opposite). In addition doctor starts at $50, provided no X-rays or laboratory
to malaria, mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever, tests need doing, whereas a doctor at the local
which induces flu-like symptoms similar to malaria government-run clinic will see you for $5.
but with more extreme aches and has been on the While travel insurance may cover costs, it will
increase in Central america and the Caribbean in only do so after you file a claim on your return; you
recent years. Sandflies (chitras) are a more likely still need to be able to access sufficient funds to
pest for travellers, proliferating during the rainy cover the bills at the time. Many doctors in the main
season (roughly May to mid-Dec), and not only at cities have trained in the US at some stage and so
the beach; they’re almost invisible, so you will speak good english. the US embassy has a list of
become aware of them only when they bite. bilingual doctors in Panama City on its website
Sandfly bites itch more and for longer than (Wpanama.usembassy.gov/medical2010.html).
mosquito bites – calamine lotion or antihistamine
cream will usually reduce the aggravation. In Medical resources for travellers
forested rural areas in various parts of Panama bites
from an infected sandfly can cause cutaneous leish- there are a number of useful online resources,
maniasis, whose symptoms can remain dormant for though their information may not be sufficiently
up to six months before sores and swellings break nuanced for your needs. the websites listed here
out on the skin. though there is no vaccine, the generally note travel medical centres, where you
disease is treatable through a series of jabs. can get jabs, and give general advice on the most
an overfamiliarity with Indiana Jones films can lead common ailments and diseases that you might
to the misconception that the greatest danger in the encounter. travel medical centre professionals
rainforest is a snake bite. While Panama has its share generally have access to more detailed and
of venomous snakes – bushmaster, fer-de-lance and specific health information; you are strongly
coral for starters – you are unlikely to see one, let advised to consult them as well as carrying out
alone get bitten. Nevertheless, donning long trousers your own research.
and closed shoes, or (even better) boots, reduces the
risk, as does avoiding walking in the forest at night. US AND CANADA
Should a snake manage to get its fangs into you, Canadian Society for International Health T613 241 5785,
immobilize the affected area, apply a light-pressure Wcsih.org. Extensive list of travel health centres.
bandage (not tourniquet) above and below the bite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) T1 800
and seek immediate medical attention. even a local 232 4636, T1 888 232 6348 (24hr health helpline), Wcdc.gov
medical centre should have some antivenin. /travel. Official US government travel health site that’s laden with info.
there’s a whole host of other beasts on land that Public Health Agency of Canada Wphac-aspc.gc.ca. Distributes
may bite or sting, but only when threatened – free pamphlets on travel health and provides a comprehensive list of
scorpions (more commonly seen at night) and some travel clinics in the country.
spiders, for example – while in the sea jellyfish, sting Travellers’ Medical and Vaccination Centre Wtmvc.com. List of
rays and fire coral can all be painful. If you are prone travel health centres in Canada and vaccination costs plus brief travel
to allergic reactions to bites and stings, make sure you health tips.
carry some antihistamine tablets, which can reduce
swelling and itchiness, as well as antihistamine cream UK AND IRELAND
or calamine lotion to cool and ease the pain. Fitfortravel Wfitfortravel.nhs.uk. Excellent NHS (Scotland) public
access site with country-specific advice, the latest health bulletins and
Accessing medical care information on immunizations.
Hospital for Tropical Diseases Travel Clinic T020 7388 9600
Both state and private medical care is very good in (Travel Clinic), T020 7950 7799 (24hr Travellers Healthline
Panama, particularly in Panama City; many doctors Advisory Service – see website for additional country-specific
work in the public-sector hospitals in the morning information), Wwww.thehtd.org/TravelClinic.aspx. Mainly aimed at
and run private clinics in the afternoon. the main travellers suffering from allergies or with complex medical conditions.
problem the public sector faces is a lack of resources, MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) T0870
particularly in the more remote rural villages, so most 606 2782, Wmasta-travel-health.com. List of affiliated travel clinics
Panamanians who can afford private health care, as where you can get vaccinations and detailed country-specific health briefs.

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