Exotic Holidays - And the Diseases in Tropical Destinations

Last Updated on March 20, 2020 by Tia

Traveling to your exotic Holidays is undoubtedly exciting. But it doesn’t come without its risks of tropical diseases. In this article, I will be listing the main active tropical diseases in exotic holiday destinations such as Costa Rica Belize Bali and Thailand and telling you ways to stay safe throughout your travels. (cause no one wants to like, die on holiday right?)

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Exotic Holidays- The main culprit of most tropical diseases…

The seemingly humble but evil mosquito

If you are one of those lucky people that mosquitoes detest, I hate you. They are drawn to me like a moth to the flame and have on numerous occasions eaten me alive from head to toe.

The worst of it was actually in Belize and CostaRica when I counted 46 bites just on my legs alone.

One of them was so infected it gave me a staph infection – I had to take 2 rounds of antibiotics!!I won’t even describe what it looked like but let me just tell you, my sister cried when she saw it. A year later, the scar is still there.

Diseases Spread by Mosquitos

Mosquitoes bites are at the best of times – annoying and itchy as hell. But an infected mosquito in the tropics can cause serious and sometimes lethal damage:

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that infects a type of mosquito that feeds on humans. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness.

Although malaria can be a deadly disease, illness and death from malaria can usually be prevented with anti-malaria tablets. About 1,700 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States alone each year. The vast majority of cases in the United States are in travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria transmission occurs, many from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Staph Infection

Doctors are reporting a spike in staph infections from infected insect bites. Scratching tears or cuts the skin-allowing bacteria to get in. So you want to make sure that the wound is covered and protected. The drainage from these wounds is what carries the contagious bacteria.

Do your best not to scratch mosquito bites to avoid a staph infection. I had it, and it was horrible!

Exotic Holidays – Preventing Mosquito Bites

In order to protect yourself, you must come prepared with the right products. Through trial and many (!) errors here are my top products to ward off evil mosquitoes for good.

Mosquito Net. This lightweight and breathable mesh net is made of premium polyester material and allows the air to circulate, also effectively keeps mosquitos and insects from entering your bed! The really great thing about this mosquito net is that it is made to fit all beds; from children to single and king size beds. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor sleeping (hotel, hostel, camping, hiking). Say hello to blissful, safe sleep!

2. Mosquito Repellant Spray

3. Protec Mosquito Repellent Spray, or cream. (available in pharmacies in Cyprus)

4. Mosquito Bracelets. I tried some weaker ones in Bali that worked quite well as additional protection – I wouldn’t count on those alone! It’s important you understand how vicious mosquitos actually are in exotic destinations! These particular mosquito bracelets though have a brand new technology that contains the highest 64% PMD diluted in a 10.8% solution proven extremely effective at protecting against Mosquitoes, Midges, Ticks, and other biting insects! Each bracelet is individually packaged in a resealable packet, proven to provide a longer life span. Before opening they can be kept for 3 years!

5. Catnip Essential Oil. A great natural alternative that is DEET – free. So get this, mosquitoes hate the smell of catnip oil. Now I don’t know if its enough to keep them away for a solid 8 hours. What I know is I still use it for the sole purpose of pissing them off and as an extra layer of protection. #ComeAndGetMePeta .

6. You may also use Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, Tee Tree and Citronella Oil all found cheaply on Amazon.

Exotic Holidays – Curing Mosquito Bites

“But I have taken all precautions!!” – u cry.

They will still get you folks; they just won’t eat you alive. After years and heaps of money wasted, I have finally found the perfect aftercare:

step 1:

Octenicept disinfecting spray

aka the holy grail of my entire travel life. Bitten by mosquitos? Spray. Crashed your scooter into the jungle and scraped your skin off? spray. Swam with elephants in a pool of mud and dirty water? SPRAY.

Spray like the man on My Big Fat Greek Wedding sprays Windex on his whole entire life.

Find it at your local chemist!

step 2:

Fucidin Antibiotic cream.

Humble and inexpensive it has saved my skin from a whole lotta suffering and a whole lotta itching and scarring.

Apply as soon as your Octenicept spray is dry and you are good to go. Find it at your local chemist.

Step 3 (optional)

Antihistamine Tablets – those will ease skin rashes, itching, and general allergy symptoms!

Exotic Holidays – Other (very) common diseases

Skin rash

Caused by bed bugs and unsanitary surroundings. Always use a towel before you lay on a sunbed (i will never understand the people who don’t! )
Also be aware of sand flies who hide close to the ground such as dry tree holes, palm tree crowns, and tropical and sub-tropical rain forest jungles. Their bites are highly infectious and painful. If you see them (can be distinguished by their vertical wings and very long legs) get the f*** outta there.

Exotic Holidays – Food and Water Poisoning.

They don’t call it the ”Delhi Belly” for nothing guys.

The tropics are notorious for food poisoning with a whopping 30 – 50% of tourists getting sick on their holiday.

It’s funny to think about till it happens to you and you end up in hospital on an IV drip being violently sick for a good 7 days. #byebyeHoliday

How to avoid water poisoning:

DO NOT DRINK TAP WATER. It doesn’t matter if your hotel is 5* just don’t do it. We don’t have the antibodies for it, period.
NO ICE– unless its filtered water ice. (they are long ice cubes with a hole running through the middle). Those are filtered and imported, therefore safe.
AVOID salads, veggies, and fruits in suspicious surroundings that have been washed with tap water. Also, produce handles by unsanitary hands which can lead to Hepatitis A.
In regards to fruit, if it can be peeled (by you) it’s safe.

exotic holidays - only consume filtered ice

How to Avoid Food Poisoning:

Sometimes you just can’t avoid it, no matter how hard you try. But the general guidelines are:

Stick to freshly cooked food – choose live seafood or meat that’s cooked in front of you. Use your sense of smell and taste and if it’s dodgy, don’t eat it.
Choose your restaurant wisely. YES, you will try street food, and yes you will eat outdoors in shabby little tents. That’s what traveling is all about! In fact, the best lobster of my life was had in Belize, on the beach, cooked in a little tent, served in tinfoil! But when it comes to either street food or restaurants- always go for the one that has a long queue of locals.
Never EVER consume food that’s been sitting outdoors for hours. Make sure they cook it fresh in front of you. The heat and the flies are a recipe for disaster.

Food or Water Poisoning Cure

For starters, I never leave the country without Primperan and Immodium. (for vomiting and diarrhea)

However, I do have a new travel favorite: Activated Charcoal. Activated charcoal was a lifesaver in Thailand when I had a bad smoothie – and I’m now a hardcore fan. It picks up and eliminates all bacteria and nasties in your stomach and speeds up your recovery time. It also cures bloated stomachs and eases symptoms of IBS. I take it at the beginning of every flight and keep taking it while I travel! #winner

Exotic Holidays – Vaccinations to Get.

Some vaccinations are compulsory. Visit your local clinic (Cypriots Visit your General Doctor or the Old Nicosia Hospital) a minimum of 6-8 weeks before your travels.

The two shots you must get are a Tetanus shot and a Hepatites A (you must get two shots to be protected).

There are other additional shots like Yellow fever, Hep B, etc that may not apply to you.

Visit the site here for more up to date information!

Lastly, let’s talk about something boring.

Exotic Holidays – Travel Insurance.

No one wants to spend money on ”what-ifs” when they could spend it on cute outfits right? Wrong.

What no one wants, is to end up in Hospital and have to fork out thousands in medical bills. Plus, to have to spend their entire trip in misery (and the toilet bowl).

Don’t be silly kids, get travel insurance! Personally, i have a great Medical Insurance with Prime Insurance that protects me globally. I’ve been with them for 5 years now and my claims have been pretty straightforward so I can now recommend! Call them here for a quote.

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