Travellers Flashcards
What causes traveler’s diarrhea?
A: Traveler’s diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder, usually caused by bacterial infection, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli). Other possible causes include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Rotavirus, and Giardia. Traveler’s diarrhea is common in developing countries.
What are the symptoms and signs of traveler’s diarrhea?
Symptoms and signs of traveler’s diarrhea include malaise, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever.
Q: How is traveler’s diarrhea treated?
A: Treatment for traveler’s diarrhea involves staying hydrated with fluids and electrolytes and getting rest. If symptoms are severe, antibiotics may be necessary. Dehydration is a major concern with this illness.
Q: How can traveler’s diarrhea be prevented?
A: Prevention of traveler’s diarrhea involves careful attention to food and drink choices. Eat food that is well cooked and served hot, avoid salads, grapes, and berries, and only consume fruits and vegetables that can be peeled. Unpasteurized milk and dairy products, food from street vendors, unsterilized water, locally made ice cubes, and mixed juices made with tap water should all be avoided. Bottled water is the safest option. Be aware that alcohol in a drink does not make contaminated water safe. Swimming in potentially contaminated water should be avoided, and keep your mouth closed while showering. Use bottled water to brush your teeth. The Dukoral vaccine can help prevent E. coli and Cholera.
Q: What is the cause of hepatitis?
A: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver most often caused by a virus, including Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and also Hepatitis D, E, and G.
Q: What are the symptoms and signs of hepatitis?
A: The symptoms and signs of hepatitis include fever, fatigue, joint and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, and loss of appetite.
How is hepatitis treated and prevented
A: The sources do not provide details about hepatitis treatment. However, vaccines are available for HAV and HBV for prevention.
**Q: What causes DVT and PE? ( deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism)
A: DVT occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins. Anything that prevents blood from circulating normally can cause this. PE is a severe and life-threatening complication of DVT.
Q: What are the symptoms and signs of DVT and PE?
A: DVT symptoms and signs include swelling, pain, red or bluish skin, and a feeling of warmth in the affected leg. It can also occur without noticeable symptoms. PE symptoms and signs include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, rapid pulse, coughing up blood, low blood pressure, sweating, fever, and leg pain/swelling.
Q: How are DVT and PE treated?
A: DVT treatment involves blood thinners, clot busters, filters, and compression stockings. Recovery typically takes weeks to months. Treatment for PE includes blood thinners for at least 3 months, clot busters, filters, and sometimes surgery. Hospitalization for a few days is common, with a recovery time of weeks to months.
Q: How can DVT and PE be prevented?**
A: DVT and PE can be prevented by avoiding long periods of staying still, staying hydrated, wearing loose-fitting clothing while traveling, discussing clotting risks with your doctor, and staying active and exercising regularly.
Q: What causes acute mountain sickness?
A: Acute mountain sickness is caused by the lower barometric pressure at altitude, which reduces oxygen availability and necessitates physiological adjustments. These adjustments lead to a decrease in VO2max and exercise performance with acute exposure to altitude.
**Q: What are the different types of acute mountain sickness and symptoms
A: There are three main types of acute mountain sickness:
* Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): This occurs above 2500m within the first 24 hours and causes headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. It is generally self-limiting.
* High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): This more severe form occurs above 3000m two days after arrival and presents with headache, confusion, and loss of coordination. HACE is life-threatening.
* High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): This type also occurs above 3000m two days after arrival, with symptoms of fatigue, coughing, cyanosis, and shortness of breath. HAPE is also life-threatening.
Q: How are HACE and HAPE treated?
A: Treatment for both HACE and HAPE involves immediate descent, oxygen, and medications.
Q: How can acute mountain sickness be prevented?
A: Prevention of acute mountain sickness involves avoiding rapid ascent, acclimatizing properly, taking rest days, and monitoring symptoms. The IOC guidelines recommend arriving two weeks before competition at moderate altitude and having 1-2 rest days before resuming regular training.
