Pavithra Ravinatarajan
Pharmacist
Your pharmacist has the knowledge and resources to help ensure your southern vacation is safe and illness free.
After months of snow, ice, and frigid temperatures, Canadians are longing to escape for some rest, relaxation, and sunshine. But before leaving, you need to be aware of certain travel-related ailments like mosquito borne illnesses and diarrhea during travel and what precautions to take. “When we plan a trip, we’re often so excited we don’t think about the risks and how to prepare for them,” says Pavithra Ravinatarajan, a pharmacist based in Kitchener, Ontario.
Know the risks
Different mosquito borne illnesses are found in different regions of the globe. Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America are high risk areas for several mosquito borne diseases, such as zika and chikungunya. “Chikungunya is definitely one we talk about especially if you’re going to areas where there has been a recent outbreak or there’s a probability that you’ll be exposed to mosquitoes,” says Ravinatarajan. Chikungunya can be quite debilitating. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain, but may also include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash. Symptoms such as joint pain and swelling can linger and last for months or years. There is no specific treatment for chikungunya.
Japanese encephalitis, found primarily in Southeast Asia and Australia, is another mosquito borne disease to be aware of. “Though rare, if you happen to get it, the potential complications can be quite serious ranging from neurological concerns to death,” she says.
Diarrhea during travel is often caused by a bacterial infection known as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) though it can also be caused by other bacteria, viruses or parasites. ETEC is the most common cause of diarrhea during travel to many parts of the world. “You can get it at any location where there’s a travel advisory not to drink the local water,” says Ravinatarajan. A healthy person can usually ride it out with some discomfort and inconvenience, but a person with certain health conditions, such as diabetes, may be more at risk to develop severe complications from dehydration. An oral vaccine is available that can help reduce your risk of getting diarrhea during travel caused by heat-labile toxin producing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (LT-ETEC) in adults and children from 2 years of age.
An excellent resource for travel health
Your pharmacist can help you identify your risks and the precautions to take to stay safe and healthy during travel. “I think pharmacies are often an overlooked opportunity. People may go there to pick up an over-the-counter product or refill a prescription but not think to mention they’ll be travelling,” says Ravinatarajan.
Your pharmacist can speak to you about what vaccines you need, how long before your trip you need to take them, and apprise you of the latest vaccine developments, such as the new chikungunya vaccine. “There are also non-pharma precautions your pharmacist can advise on like wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito netting, and avoiding tap water and uncooked fruit and vegetables,” says Ravinatarajan.
In addition to ensuring you are properly prepared before you leave, your pharmacist can follow up with you after you return. “There may be some symptoms that don’t show up until later, and they can help determine if they’re travel related,” says Ravinatarajan.
Contracting a mosquito-borne illness or diarrhea during travel can not only ruin your trip but can sometimes leave you with permanent long-term health consequences. Protecting yourself starts with knowing the health risks at your destination. Your local community pharmacist has this knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the travel health system, ensuring you receive the necessary advice and preventive measures for a safe journey.
Visit your pharmacist four to six weeks before you travel or find a travel clinic near you. Visit vaccines411.ca to learn more.
This article is made possible by the support of Valneva Canada.
