Middle East - Anthony Ham [563]
In hot, moist climates any wound or break in the skin may lead to infection. The area should be cleaned and then kept dry and clean. Remember to avoid potentially contaminated food and water. If your child is vomiting or experiencing diarrhoea, lost fluid and salts must be replaced. It may be helpful to take rehydration powders for reconstituting with boiled water. Ask your doctor about this.
Children should be encouraged to avoid dogs or other mammals because of the risk of rabies and other diseases. Any bite, scratch or lick from a warm blooded, furry animal should immediately be thoroughly cleaned. If there is any possibility that the animal is infected with rabies, immediate medical assistance should be sought.
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Emotional stress, exhaustion and travelling through different time zones can all contribute to an upset in the menstrual pattern. If using oral contraceptives, remember some antibiotics, diarrhoea and vomiting can stop the pill from working and lead to the risk of pregnancy – remember to take condoms with you just in case. Condoms should be kept in a cool, dry place or they may crack and perish.
Emergency contraception is most effective if taken within 24 hours after unprotected sex. The International Planned Parent Federation (www.ippf.org) can advise about the availability of contraception in different countries. Tampons and sanitary towels are not always available outside of major cities in the Middle East.
Travelling during pregnancy is usually possible but there are important things to consider. Have a medical check-up before embarking on your trip. The most risky times for travel are during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when miscarriage is most likely, and after 30 weeks, when complications such as high blood pressure and premature delivery can occur. Most airlines will not accept a traveller after 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy, and long-haul flights in the later stages can be very uncomfortable. Antenatal facilities vary greatly between countries in the Middle East and you should think carefully before travelling to a country with poor medical facilities or where there are major cultural and language differences compared with home. Taking written records of the pregnancy, including details of your blood group, are likely to be helpful if you need medical attention while away. Ensure your insurance policy covers pregnancy, delivery and postnatal care, but remember insurance policies are only as good as the facilities available.
Language
* * *
ARABIC
TRANSLITERATION
PRONUNCIATION
CONVERSATION & ESSENTIALS
HEALTH
ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES
TIME & DAYS
MONTHS
NUMBERS
TRANSPORT
HEBREW
CONVERSATION & ESSENTIALS
ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES
TIME & NUMBERS
TRANSPORT
TURKISH
PRONUNCIATION
CONVERSATION & ESSENTIALS
HEALTH
ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES
TIME & NUMBERS
TRANSPORT
* * *
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ARABIC
Arabic is the official language of all Middle Eastern countries except Iran, Israel and Turkey. While English (and to a lesser extent, French – mainly in Lebanon and Syria) is widely spoken in the region, any effort to communicate with the locals in their own language will be well rewarded. No matter how far off the mark your pronunciation or grammar might be, you’ll often get the response (usually with a big smile), ‘Ah, you speak Arabic very well!’ Unlike English, the language is written from right to left, and it’s a very good idea to at least familiarise yourself with the alphabet (see opposite).
Learning the basics for day-to-day travelling doesn’t take long at all, but to master the complexities of Arabic would take years of constant study. Lonely Planet’s Egyptian Arabic Phrasebook will prove very useful in this region – thanks in no small way to the predominance of Egyptian TV programs being broadcast throughout the Middle East. Or, for a guide that includes four varieties of Arabic, try Lonely Planet’s Middle East Phrasebook.
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