With the Christmas holidays on the horizon, many people are already thinking about escaping the cold and traveling to warmer destinations, especially tropical countries. Since booking flights and accommodation is often the priority, other important aspects, such as the health risks associated with travel, are often overlooked. Therefore, it is recommended that, between four and six weeks before leaving, you visit a medical center with an International Health Service to receive advice and take the necessary precautions.
During the consultation, preventive measures such as vaccination are offered to reduce the risk of contracting certain diseases. Dr. José Muñoz, specialist in International Health at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, warns: “We know that, for every hundred patients who make an international trip, there are ten who return with a more or less serious illness.” Therefore, it is essential to take precautions.
In the Traveler’s Consultation, the three main pathologies that we usually see are fever, traveler’s diarrhea and skin lesions.
Although the complications can be diverse, Dr. Natalia Rodríguez, specialist in International Health at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona, highlights that “in the Traveler’s Consultation the three main pathologies that we usually see are fever, traveler’s diarrhea and skin lesions.” Fever is especially worrying, as it could indicate diseases such as dengue or malaria, transmitted by mosquito bites.
The use of specific repellent for tropical areas is key to preventing diseases transmitted by bites, even in urban areas. It should be applied all over the body, both day and night, and if you use sunscreen, it is important to wait between 10 and 15 minutes to apply it. It is also recommended to sleep with an impregnated mosquito net or in air-conditioned rooms, and to wear light, light-colored clothing that covers arms and legs. Dr. Rodríguez warns about the risk of malaria: “After a visit to a country where there is malaria, if the patient has a fever they should go quickly to the hospital.”
Mosquitoes are not the only risk. Bites from snakes, scorpions or spiders also represent a serious health problem as they can cause neurological and muscular complications and coagulation disorders. The main preventive measures include wearing long clothing and closed-toe shoes with socks, avoiding putting your hands in dense vegetation, under stones or in holes, and checking the bed, clothing and spaces such as sinks before using them. In case of a bite, it is essential to go to a health center immediately. In the meantime, the wound should be washed with soap and water, the area immobilized, and a tight bandage applied.
You also have to be careful in the water, as jellyfish and some parasites can hide. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid bathing in lakes, rivers and untreated thermal areas or pools. In addition, it is important to be cautious when diving, an increasingly common activity. The main risks associated with this activity are barotrauma – caused by pressure changes –, decompression sickness – due to the formation of gas bubbles in tissues or blood vessels –, skin lesions and sunburn.
We estimate that between 30 and 40% of people who travel will need medical attention or advice at some point during the trip.
The risk does not disappear out of the water. High temperatures and prolonged exposure to the sun can cause heat stroke or heat stroke. Early symptoms include intense thirst, profuse sweating, headache, dizziness, confusion, and vomiting. In these cases, it is crucial to stop sun exposure immediately, cool down, and rehydrate. To prevent these problems, it is recommended to avoid the sun between 12:00 and 16:00, wear appropriate clothing that protects the skin, sunglasses, stay well hydrated, and apply sunscreen.
Avoiding sunburn is essential. First degree ones are not serious; Even if the skin turns red, they can be treated with moisturizing cream. Second degree blisters require more attention: wash the skin with cold water, apply cream and special dressings, and avoid the use of ice. The most serious burns are third degree burns, as they cause the death of the skin tissue, which turns black or gray. In these cases, it is essential to go to a health center.
Health risks during travel are more common than you usually think. “We estimate that between 30% and 40% of people who travel will need medical attention or advice at some point during the trip,” says Dr. Muñoz. Therefore, it is advisable to take out medical insurance that covers any unforeseen event, including repatriation in serious cases. In addition, carrying a first aid kit with essentials is always useful to solve small setbacks. With these precautions, traveling remains a safe and enjoyable option.