Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [502]
Australia (www.dfat.gov.au/travel)
Canada (www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/pub_e.html)
UK (http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Communicablediseases/Communicablediseasesgeneralinformation/index.htm)
USA (www.cdc.gov/travel)
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FURTHER READING
For further information, see Healthy Travel Central & South America from Lonely Planet. If you’re traveling with children, Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children will be useful. The ABC of Healthy Travel, by E Walker et al, is another valuable resource.
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IN TRANSIT
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DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)
Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) may form in the legs during plane flights, chiefly because of prolonged immobility. The longer the flight, the greater the risk. Though most blood clots are reabsorbed uneventfully, some may break off and travel through the blood vessels to the lungs, where they could cause life-threatening complications.
The chief symptom of DVT is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle or calf, usually but not always on just the one side. When a blood clot travels all the way to the lungs, it may cause chest pain and difficulty in breathing. Travelers with any of these symptoms should immediately seek out medical attention.
To prevent the development of DVT on long flights, you should walk about the cabin, perform isometric compressions of the leg muscles (ie contract the leg muscles while sitting), drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
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JET LAG & MOTION SICKNESS
Jet lag is common when crossing more than five time zones, resulting in insomnia, fatigue, malaise or nausea. To avoid jet lag, try drinking plenty of fluids (nonalcoholic) and eating light meals. Upon arrival, get exposure to natural sunlight and readjust your schedule (for meals, sleep etc) as soon as possible.
Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) are usually the first choice for treating motion sickness. Their main side effect is drowsiness. Ginger is a herbal alternative that apparently works like a charm for some people.
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IN COSTA RICA
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AVAILABILITY & COST OF HEALTH CARE
Good medical care is available in most major cities, but may be limited in rural areas. In a medical emergency, you should call one of the following numbers:
CIMA San José (2208-1000; Autopista Próspero Fernández, San José) It’s 500m west of the tollbooths on the highway to Santa Ana.
Clínica Bíblica (2522-1000/1030; www.clinicabiblica.com; Av 14 btwn Calles Central & 1, San José)
Hospital Nacional de Niños (2222-0122; Calle 14 & Av Central, San José) Only for children under 12 years.
Poison Center (2223-1028)
Red Cross Ambulance (128, in San José 2221-5818)
San Juan de Dios Hospital (2257-6282; cnr Paseo Colón & Calle 14, San José)
For an extensive list of physicians, dentists and hospitals go to the US embassy website (http://usembassy.or.cr). If you’re pregnant, be sure to check this site before departure to find the name of one or two obstetricians, just in case.
Most pharmacies are well supplied and the pharmacists are licensed to prescribe medication. If you’re taking any medication on a regular basis, make sure you know its generic (scientific) name, since many pharmaceuticals go under different names in Costa Rica. The following pharmacies are open 24 hours:
Farmacia Clínica Bíblica (2522-1000; cnr Calle 1 & Av 14, San José)
Farmacia Clínica Católica (2283-6616; Guadalupe, San José)
Farmacia El Hospital (2222-0985)
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INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Chagas’ Disease
Chagas’ disease is a parasitic infection that is transmitted by triatomine insects (reduviid bugs), which inhabit crevices in the walls and roofs of substandard housing in South and Central America. In Costa Rica most cases occur in Alajuela, Liberia and Puntarenas. The triatomine insect lays its feces on human skin as it bites, usually at night. A person becomes infected when they unknowingly rub the feces