European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 31, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 16 the stars and stripes May 1985 consumer watch fighting Montezuma revenge by Mary Neth consumer editor travel its easy to joke about Delhi belly or Montezuma re but its really no laughing its estimated that diarrhoea afflicts on third of the 16 million travellers from industrialized nations 8 million from the United states who visit developing countries each there Are no vaccines against travellers and drugs should not be used As a according to a consensus development panel convened by the National institutes of the panel Mem Bers agreed that the risk of Side effects is too great for antibiotics to be used to prevent an ailment that in most cases is not severe and lasts Only a few about the Only Way to prevent trailers Diar Rhea is to pay meticulous attention to what and where one As Many travellers to High risk areas have if you cant boil Cook or Peel forget a typical attack of this travellers malaise usually lasts three to four although 10 percent of the cases last longer than a travellers May even go through this dismal experience More than once during a the Chance of developing diarrhoea depends on the High risk areas include most of the develop ing countries of latin the Middle and intermediate risk destinations include most of the Southern european and the Caribbean least Likely to encounter diarrhoea Are travellers in Northern new zealand and the United the most commonly identified cause of diarrhoea is Escherichia reported an article on the subject in the food and drug administrations consumer it is a common species of intestinal although a Host of other viruses and protozoa have been implicated in some both cooked and uncooked foods can be at fault if improperly especially risky Are raw raw meat and raw tap unpasteurized milk and Dairy and unpeeled bottled carbonated hot Coffee or boiled or water chemically treated with iodine or chlorine Are according to the where food is eaten is As the risk is least in private Homes and Good restaurants and greatest when food comes from Street even though certain antimicrobial drugs do reduce the incidence of travellers they carry a risk of serious Side including allergic mild and severe skin added sensitivity to and blood in antimicrobial treatment May induce other for these such drugs should not be used to prevent travellers a disease while unpleasant and in some cases is not the panel other drugs besides antimicrobial Arent recommended for preventing diarrhoea according to the some Are simply not effective and others cause Side effects that make the risks outweigh any potential the panel if diarrhoea the Sensi ble approach is to quickly Start effective treatment that can shorten the disease to 30 hours or less in most Early treatment is what we said Sherwood chairman of the professor at Tufts University school of Medicine and chief of the infectious disease division at new England medical Center in for mild take a prescription anti motility drug such As Riphen oxalate Lom Otil or Lope Amide Bismuth sub Salicylate also somewhat More Bismuth sub Salicylate is the Active ingredient in the familiar oct product pesto for More severe an antimicrobial drug such As Tri Metho Prim or doxy cycling a Broa spectrum Antibiotic May be these Are prescription by obtaining the proper drugs in the beleaguered traveler can avoid buying overt counter drugs that might contain potentially dangerous other travel tips from the National institutes of health Check with your physician or travel health clinic before you for certain parts of the you May be required to have shots to protect you from yellow you can also obtain preventive medications for some diseases like which is spread by pack a first Aid kit with insect an Antihistamine for clogged and a if you Are one of those who become constipated when you should also pack a mild Laxa carry copies of prescriptions for eyeglasses and medications you Are ask the local embassy or your hotel concierge to give you the name of a doctor who Speaks if you get seek a physicians attention if you have High blood or mucous in your Stool or persistent this is usually the sign of a More serious organizing that Holiday some tips to keep in mind before the Vaca Tion the Green stuff keep Cash to a travellers checks and credit cards cover most bring enough Money so you can splurge a and have enough left Over for to guard against men should keep Money in their front Trou ser pockets and women should tuck their handbag under their Arm and not hang it from a shoulder suitcase stuffing pack Light and if you dont bring you can always buy that part of the fun of some frequent travellers suggest rolling up pants and shirts before packing to prevent it also makes it easier to find the stuff in the plan before you minding How Long you will be gone and where youll go heavy on the casual with one ensemble fit for evening some items have multiple uses when a cot ton Scarf or Bandana is one of the most versatile items you can use it As a picnic Bandage or blow air into Ziploc cover with Scarf and its a Wear Flat shoes for ounce of prevention carry extra medications and pack them so they can be found let others know if you have a medical problem so they can react properly in an if you use carry a spare pair or the on the Road again nothing will ruin a vacation quicker than cramming three kids in car for a Cross country give them some room and keep them Happy with games and Load a cooler with Road munchies like cel Ery and juice and Check spare tools and first Aid renting a car to travel Short or moderate distances makes it reduces the beating on the family eliminates most worries about breakdowns that could ruin a and affords the renter the Opportunity to go where the wind at least where it blows Over Check travel agents for current or Call rental agencies make sure you ask about mileage and drop off and weekday and weekend flying the Friendly skies watch out when the alcohol cart comes rolling Down the pressurized Cabins give one drink the effect of on Long do drink fluids to avoid de Hydra pack important Cash and one change of clothes in Carryon bag just in Case that lug Gage goes stretch the toes with a walk Down the besides getting the juices it May prevent a backache on there Are tricks to avoid Reserve seats when you pick up the unescorted minors and the elderly get special order the wheelchair when you depart so it will be ready at the Gate when you food for thought eat Light on the Road and in the avoid the Chain follow the Lead of the locals and eat whats the local dont pick the busiest times to eat eating in off hours will save Money and leave More time for Holiday overkill the tendency is to try to do too much when vacation overkill leaves the Bones tired and the whole Vaca Tion can be a blur when you plan enough events to keep you out of the car and hotel but keep the schedule and leave an open Day if possible for thespot get out of the car or hotel remember to return a Day Early so you can rest before returning to a vacation filled with stress is no vacation at