Health Risks in the Caribbean- Dengue, Parasites....
Jan 2nd, 2002, 07:15 AM
#1
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Health Risks in the Caribbean- Dengue, Parasites....
I compared the "health risks" that Lonely Planet lists for several Caribbean destinations. I have copied them below and would appreciate comments. I was shocked that they list "None" for Jamaica, esp. in light of what they list for the others.<BR><BR>____________<BR><BR>Anguilla and Antigua and Barbuda: "Sunburn, diarrhea and intestinal parasites"<BR><BR>Aruba: "Sunburn"<BR><BR>Barbados: "Dengue fever, diarrhea and intestinal parasites; leptospirosis can be present in freshwater streams"<BR><BR>British Virgin Islands: "Sunburn, dengue fever"<BR><BR>[I note that in the past, they listed only sunburn for the BVI]<BR><BR>Cayman Islands: "Sunburn, poisonous plants"<BR><BR>Jamaica: "None" [??!!]<BR><BR>Puerto Rico: "Sunburn, small risk of hepatitis and bilharzia, being subject to repeated explosions over 190 decibels near the Vieques military training facility"<BR><BR>____________<BR><BR>(The above is from http://lonelyplanet.com/textexpress/ame-text.htm)<BR><BR>Thank you for any replies.<BR>
Jan 3rd, 2002, 06:22 AM
#3
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There have been several reports of Dengue fever in the BVI but nothing recently. It is important no matter which island to use the mosquito repellent but there is nothing epidemic or endemic about the few isolated cases. And diagnosis is not easy nor often accurate.
Jan 3rd, 2002, 06:55 AM
#4
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May I add the following:<BR><BR>St. John, USVI: Intestinal parasites<BR><BR>Lucky me, I brought one back from my honeymoon, and I'm happy to say he's losing the battle with antibiotics as I write this. As miserable as I feel, I wouldn't have missed it. It's a small price to pay for paradise.
Jan 3rd, 2002, 08:15 AM
#5
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Many years ago while vacationing in Mexico, I found myself extremely ill. Diagnosis - parasite. I can relate to the previous post having suffered severely for almost one year and still feeling the effects almost nine years later. Most infectious diseases can be picked up in any country you are travelling in - just remember some are at higher risk. Take precautions if able.
Jan 3rd, 2002, 11:54 AM
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karen: i did stay in a villa, but my husband and i were very careful not to drink any cistern water (that included using bottled water for coffee, ice cubes, etc.) i can only imagine where i picked up this critter. must have been from a restaurant or bar, because everything at the villa was packaged goods. my husband is fine, so i imagine it must have been something i ate or drank while dining out. let me tell you, it's very uncomfortable. after reading tanya's post, i'm not sure the trip was worth it after all...<BR><BR>ugh.
