The Disease That Could Destroy Your Vacation
Posted February 6, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
When you look out the window and see a world of February snow and slush, it’s easy for just about any Canadian to fantasize about a tropical vacation.
Some of us can only dream, but others are actually lucky enough to be able to get away to somewhere warm every once in a while. Still, sometimes even a vacation is no picnic.
Though there are always myriad dangers for those that like to roam abroad, one disease in particular is causing major concern at many popular tourist resorts.
That disease is malaria, something caused by a simple mosquito bite. It’s spreading to tourist areas like Punta Cana in the Dominican, and Kingston, Jamaica. So how serious is malaria, exactly?
“You can die from it, that’s what can happen,” Dr. Jay Keystone, a Tropical Disease Specialist, stated emphatically.
One person painfully aware of that possibility is Anna Melnikoff, who battled the disease after contracting it in West Africa last month.
“I’ve never in my life felt so wretched and experienced so much pain,” she said.
Melnikoff didn’t bother with anti-malarial drugs because she’d experienced side effects on them before. Still, when all was said and done she wishes she had.
“I really got turned off the idea of taking an anti-malarial,” she said. “I know better now.”
Her feelings are understandable since some of the old medication had to be taken weeks before travel and could wreak havoc on systems in their own right. Newer medications however, are much safer and can be taken just one day before departure.
And Dr. Keystone insists all travellers need to be aware. No matter how fancy a resort may seem, they’re all the same to mosquitoes.
“The bottom line is, if it’s a malarious area, mosquitoes don’t care if it’s a one-star or a five-star,” he said.
Experts advise that if you’re not going to take medication beforehand, look out for flu-like symptoms upon your return. They could be early signs of more serious sickness.
To see CityNews Health Specialist Laura DiBattista’s story on malaria, click on the video link.
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