The General Nursing Council (CGE) warns that bathing in paradise can turn into hell, which is why it has prepared an infographic and an informative video with tips to avoid risks in tropical destinations this vacation.
Tropical destinations have once again stood out this summer after being paralyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic. For this reason, the CGE recommended that people who travel to these countries first go to the International Traveler Assistance Service, since on many occasions specific vaccinations or updates of those already received are required.
The president of the CGE, Florentino Pérez Raya, stressed that “at this point, travelers should have already gone or at least requested their appointment in one of these Services, since at this time of year it is common for there to be delays in care. In addition, there are vaccines that must be administered with some advance. That's always the top recommendation."
"Beyond this, there is another series of considerations, many common sense but often forgotten, which are what we now include in this infographic that we want to reach the population," he added. In fact, “bathing in certain apparently paradisiacal places can mean ending a parasitosis. Therefore, bathing in lakes or rivers in tropical areas should be avoided.
The materials will be disseminated in infographic and animated video format. The advice they contain is structured into four sections: before the trip, prevention of traveler's diarrhea, possible contact with animals and recommendations when returning.
Guadalupe Fontán, coordinator of the Research Institute of the General Nursing Council, explained that among the advice given before the trip, there are, for example, those specifically aimed at chronic patients: “It is important that you travel with your medication in your hand luggage and that you take something in excess of what is strictly necessary. In addition, it is recommended that it always go in its original container and take the corresponding medical report.
The diarrhea prevention section warns of the risks that purchasing food may entail in places where it is at room temperature, such as street stalls or buffets that are not adequately covered. In addition, the importance of always drinking bottled water is stressed.
In many countries it is not unusual to find animals that in themselves represent a tourist attraction, but this does not mean that the activity is without risk. This is the case of the monkeys in Southeast Asia, where not infrequently they have come to produce altercations due to their aggressiveness.
“We must avoid getting close to this type of animal to avoid possible bites and thus the transmission of diseases. The same happens with stray dogs and cats and, of course, those activities that involve bathing with animals such as elephants, dolphins... this type of experience, which, on the other hand, can lead to animal abuse, also compromises our health”, emphasized Guadalupe Fontán.
The materials also include recommendations to protect yourself from mosquito bites, vectors of diseases such as malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika. In the case of dengue, for example, it is estimated that the annual number of infected people amounts to 390 million.
For this reason, the coordinator of the Research Institute insisted, "we must use repellent, pants and long-sleeved shirts at dawn and dusk, and mosquito nets to sleep."
Among the risks that tend to go unnoticed, he added, is not checking the shoes before putting them on. These can house, for example, scorpions. This arachnid is quite common in countries like Mexico and although they are there throughout the year, their population registers an increase during the spring and summer months.
In addition, the CGE recommended that after the trip and in the event of any health problem it is advisable to see a health professional.
