Page 745 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  743

Sexually Transmitted and summer and monsoon to drop off is to sprinkle them
Other Infectious Diseases
(Jul–Sep). The parasite is carried with salt, or touch them with
Awareness of sexually by mosquitoes, and symptoms a lighted cigarette. Clean the
transmitted diseases such as include shivering followed bite and apply an antiseptic.
HIV, which causes Acquired by high fever and sweating. Snake bites are rare, but
Immune Deficiency Syndrome Seek medical help immediately. if you are bitten, tie a tight
(AIDS), is high in India. For blood You should take a preventive crêpe bandage or tourniquet
transfusions it is best to contact course of anti-malarial drugs above the bite to prevent the
the Indian Red Cross Society before, during and after blood flowing. Keep the limb
(see p741). Hepatitis B is also your trip. For information immobile, note the time of
transmitted through infected on medication, call a travel the bite, and seek immediate
blood, sexual contact, clinic or MASTA (see p741). medical help. Scorpion stings
unsterilized needles, tattoos and Another serious mosquito- can also be serious, and
shaves from roadside barbers. borne disease is the victim can
However, it can be prevented dengue fever, with sometimes go
with a vaccine. Using a condom symptoms similar into shock. The
is essential for protection against to malaria, including treatment is
all sexually trans mitted diseases. severe pain in the similar to that
General precautions to follow joints and muscles, of snake bite.
are: before an inocu lation, buy and rashes. Seek If you are stung
a disposable syringe, or insist medical treatment by a jellyfish while
that a new syringe and needle if you think swimming,
is unwrapped in front of you. you might vinegar or lemon
Never have shaves from roadside be infected. juice, calamine
barbers and stay away from To guard lotion and
seedy-looking beauty parlours, against yourself Mosquito repellent coil and cream antihistamines
as you can pick up infections mosquito bites, help reduce the
during manicures and pedicures. use mosquito-repellent pain and swelling. Clean the
Any procedure using needles, devices and a net over the area with an antiseptic lotion.
such as tattooing and ear- bed while sleeping. If you are
piercing, is best avoided in outdoors in the evenings, wear
places where hygiene is dubious. shoes and clothes that cover Swine Flu
Vaccination against tetanus the arms and legs, and rub Swine flu is an infection caused
is essential when travelling. mosquito-repellent cream by any one of several types of
Tuberculosis (TB), though on exposed skin. As a rule, swine influenza virus, the most
common in India, is not a carry mosquito-repellent common one being H1N1. The
great risk for visitors. Meningitis, cream with you at all times. virus is highly cont agious. If
spread through droplet there is an outbreak of swine flu,
infection, is a more real threat – and you have flu-like symptoms,
it needs immediate medical Cuts and Bites you should consult a doctor.
attention. Symptoms include Insect bites are common,
fever, stiff neck and headache. especially in areas prone Altitude Sickness
to heavy rainfall, such as the
coasts, the Nilgiri Hills, parts A lack of sufficient oxygen at
Rabies of Kerala and the northeastern altitudes higher than 2,500 m
Animal bites, especially from states. To avoid insect and ant (8,202 ft) can cause Acute
dogs and monkeys, can cause bites, it is best not to sleep Mountain Sickness (AMS);
rabies. Clean the bite with on the ground. Ticks, lice and symptoms are dizziness, severe
an antiseptic solution and mites are another problem, headaches and loss of appetite.
seek medical help at once, as since they are carriers of These often subside within a day
treatment involves a course typhus and Lyme’s disease. Use or two, but if they persist, seek
of injections, even if you have insect repellents, avoid staying medical attention at once.
been bitten by a pet dog. There in places with poor hygiene Though some doctors
is a vaccination that partially and, if bitten, apply antiseptic recommend Acetazolamide
protects against rabies, but this cream. An antihistamine is the (Diamox) and dexamethasone,
is only advised if you are going best antidote if you get stung they are controversial drugs
to high-risk areas. You should by a wasp or bee. Rainforests and should not be used.
only take this vaccine if your are usually infested with A few tips to avoid AMS are:
doctor advises it. blood-sucking leeches that ascend slowly; once above
attach themselves to the 3,000 m (9,843 ft), do not
skin. Never try and pull them increase camping altitude by
Insect-borne Diseases
off, since their heads remain more than 300 m (984 ft) a
Malaria is prevalent in most embedded in the skin. A very day; drink plenty of fluids; and
parts of India during the effective way of getting them avoid alcohol and sedatives.

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