Iran - Andrew Burke [351]
Antidiarrhoeal drugs (eg loperamide)
Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen)
Antihistamines (for hay fever and allergic reactions)
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
Pocket knife
Scissors, safety pins, tweezers
Steroid cream or cortisone (allergic rashes)
Sun block
Syringes and sterile needles (if travelling to remote areas)
Thermometer
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INTERNET RESOURCES
There is a wealth of travel health advice on the internet. The World Health Organization (www.who.int/ith) publishes a superb book, International Travel and Health, which is revised annually and is available online at no cost. MD Travel Health (www.mdtravelhealth.com) provides complete travel health recommendations for every country, updated daily and free. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov) is also useful.
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TRAVEL HEALTH WEBSITES
It’s usually a good idea to consult your government’s travel health website before departure, if one is available.
Australia (www.dfat.gov.au/travel)
Canada (www.travelhealth.gc.ca)
UK (www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice)
USA (www.cdc.gov/travel)
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FURTHER READING
Lonely Planet’s Travel With Children is packed with useful information including pretrip planning, emergency first aid, immunisation and disease information and what to do if you get sick on the road.
Other recommended references include Traveller’s Health by Dr Richard Dawood (Oxford University Press), International Travel Health Guide by Stuart R. Rose, MD (Travel Medicine Inc) and The Travellers’ Good Health Guide by Ted Lankester (Sheldon Press).
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IN TRANSIT
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DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when blood clots 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 may 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 one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it may cause chest pain and breathing difficulty. If this happens to you seek medical attention. To prevent 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; it results in insomnia, fatigue, malaise or nausea. To avoid jet lag try drinking plenty of fluids (nonalcoholic) and eating light meals. Upon arrival, seek 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. A herbal alternative is ginger, which some people swear by.
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IN IRAN
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AVAILABILITY & COST OF HEALTH CARE
There are few, if any, reciprocal medical arrangements between Iran and other countries so be prepared to pay for all your medical and dental treatment. The good news is that costs are negligible. The quality of hospitals varies from place to place, but in Tehran, Esfahan and Shiraz, in particular, you’ll find international-standard hospitals and well-trained doctors.
But, seriously, medical care is not always readily available outside major cities. Medicine, and even sterile dressings or intravenous fluids, may need to be bought from a local pharmacy. Nursing care may be limited or rudimentary