GENERAL
COMMON CONDITIONS
Acclimatization
Adapting to a warmer climate takes 2-3 weeks. Increase
your fluid intake, avoid outdoor activities in the middle of the
day, wear loose clothing and take frequent showers.
Ultraviolet light
Avoid sunburn by using a sunscreen. Wear a hat.
Use only sunglasses that filter out the UV rays (Cheap sunglasses
can actually increase the amount of UV damage to your eyes).
Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs)
Around the world RTAs are the commonest cause of
death in travellers, and are more likely to be fatal in an area
that is not well served medically. RTAs are very common in Phnom
Penh. Therefore you should use seat belts in cars, and on a motorbike
use a crash helmet.
Skin problems
Prickly heat is due to sweat trapped under the
skin. It can be relieved by taking a cool shower, spending a few
hours in an air-conditioned room and wearing loose fitting clothes.
Fungal infections can affect any part of your skin, especially around
the sweaty areas such as the groin and feet. Treatment is by wearing
loose clothing, drying the skin properly after washing, and the
use of anti fungal creams.
Respiratory problems
95% of sore throats are caused by viruses and therefore
antibiotics are of no help. Use aspirin gargles and suck lozenges
such as ‘strepsils’. Consult a doctor if there is no
improvement after three days. Some of the bacteria that cause coughs
actually thrive on nicotine, so if you smoke you should at least
stop temporarily.
Swimming
| Salt water: |
sandflies on beach , jellyfish sometimes in water |
| Fresh water: |
(Mekong river) – risk of schistosomiasis and leptospirosis |
| Hotel pool: |
risk of conjunctivitis unless the chlorine level is around
1.5 ppm |
| Barefoot on beach: |
risk of hookworms, strongyloides |
|
