Cuba - Lonely Planet [394]
Should you get into trouble health-wise and end up in hospital, call Asistur ( 7-866-8527; www.asistur.cu) for help with insurance and medical assistance. The company has regional offices in Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Cayo Coco, Camagüey, Guardalavaca and Santiago de Cuba.
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MEDICAL CHECKLIST
acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin
adhesive or paper tape
antibacterial ointment (eg Bactroban; for cuts and abrasions)
antibiotics
antidiarrheal drugs (eg loperamide)
antihistamines (for hay fever and allergic reactions)
anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen)
bandages, gauze, gauze rolls
DEET-containing insect repellent for the skin
iodine tablets (for water purification)
oral rehydration salts
permethrin-containing insect spray for clothing, tents and bed nets
pocketknife
scissors, safety pins, tweezers
steroid cream or cortisone (for poison ivy and other allergic rashes)
sunblock
syringes and sterile needles
thermometer
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GOVERNMENT TRAVEL HEALTH ADVICE
It’s usually a good idea to consult your government’s travel health website before departure, if one is available:
Australia (www.smarttraveller.gov.au) Follow the link to Travel Health.
Canada (www.travelhealth.gc.ca)
UK (www.dh.gov.uk) Follow the links to Policy and Guidance and Health Advice for Travellers.
USA (www.cdc.gov/travel)
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RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS
No vaccines are required for Cuba, but a number are recommended:
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INTERNET RESOURCES
There is a wealth of travel health advice on the internet. For further information, lonelyplanet.com is a good place to start. The World Health Organization publishes a superb book called International Travel and Health, which is revised annually and is available online at no cost (www.who.int/ith). Another website of general interest is MD Travel Health (www.mdtravelhealth.com), which provides complete travel health recommendations for every country and is updated daily.
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FURTHER READING
If you’re traveling with children, Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children may be useful. The ABC of Healthy Travel, by Eric Walker et al, is another valuable resource.
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IN TRANSIT
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)
Blood clots may form in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) 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 in the foot, ankle or calf, usually – but not always – on just one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. Travelers with any of the symptoms noted above should immediately seek 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 flex 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 to drink plenty of (nonalcoholic) fluids and eat 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