Many tourists, especially those who are taking their first trip outside of the United States want to know what is salmonella or travelers’ diarrhea and how can they prevent from getting it while on vacation. The truth is there is no way to totally prevent getting salmonella, also called travelers’ diarrhea, while traveling but there are a few way to minimize your health risk. The article, exclusive to The Wise Tourist, will give you a better understanding of ways that salmonella is spread, the symptoms and what preventive measures you can take to avoid ruining your vacation or business travel abroad.
What is Salmonella? – First it has nothing to do with salmon. It was named after a veterinary pathologist, Dr. Daniel. E. Salmon that what head of the USDA investigatory program at that time. Without going of too far into confusing medical terms let’s keep it simple and say travelers’ diarrhea is an infectious disease that is easily transmitted to humans by several means.
What are the Symptoms? – Those who come in contact with the bacteria can begin to feel inflammation of the intestines within a few hours or, in some cases , up to a week after the initial exposure. Symptoms include severe cramping, diarrhea and vomiting.
What Can I Do to Minimize My Chances of Getting Travelers’ Diarrhea? – As mentioned above, there is no way to totally prevent yourself from contracting the virus but keep in mind that the most common cause is ingesting infected foods. Here are some common sense ways to reduce your chances of having to spend your vacation on the toilet:
- No matter how upscale the hotel, don’t believe their water is safe just because they say it is. Even if they brag about having their own water treatment facilities, don’t fall for it. Drink only bottled water. Brush your teeth using bottled water. Do not open your mouth when taking a shower.
- Order drinks without ice cubes.
- Avoid undercooked foods. If you can’t stand having your steak cooked well done then order an alternative.
- Stay clear of anything uncooked for that matter. Fresh vegetables are rinsed in tap water, not bottled water. Avoid it at all costs.
- In many countries, especially in western Europe, eggs are undercooked by US standards. Either or your eggs scrambled and cooked through or stick with a safer alternative. In fact, it’s best to pass on poultry altogether.
Disclaimer – Although The Wise Tourist is indeed one smart traveler, he is not a doctor. For all medical advice, see your family doctor or if you didn’t pay attention to my sage advice, see the hotel doctor!
No related posts.
