[:en]It’s the time of the year again whereby we globe-trotting Singaporeans take our well-deserved break overseas.
As we travel to increasingly remote and far flung destinations, have you ever wondered what are some of the bugs that we may be inflicted with and bring back with us?
Common Types of Bugs:
Gastrointestinal Bugs, Respiratory Viruses (e.g. Flu Virus), and Bed Bugs
1. Gastrointestinal Bugs
To start off, there are many gastrointestinal bugs that can infect us, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever etc.
Bacteria like Salmonalle, Shigella and Camplyobacter; viruses like Norovirus and Rotavirus ; and parasites like Giardia and Entamoeba all can be contracted while we are overseas.
Unfortunately, these bacteria, viruses and parasites are easily transmissible to people around us. Hence, prevention is key.
Tips to Avoid these Bugs:
- Drinking only bottled or boiled water and avoiding ice if possible
- Eat only food that is thoroughly cooked and consume it while it is hot.
- Avoid raw or undercooked items like salads, raw vegetables, undercooked meat and shellfish, and unpasteurized milk.
Infections with theses bugs are mostly self-limiting.
However, please consult a doctor if you feel unwell or if diarrhea is persistent more than three days.
2. Respiratory Viruses (e.g. Flu Virus)
Respiratory viruses, particularly, the flu virus, can inflict us easily.
During this holiday season, many of us will choose to fly to a cold country to escape the stifling heat of Singapore. Sadly, for a variety of reasons, cold season is usually also flu season.
Infection with the flu virus can cause a spectrum of disease, from a simple cold to serious brain and lung infections.
Vaccination to Avoid Flu Bugs
Take the flu vaccine at least two weeks before commencing your travels.
If you suspect you caught the flu bug, consult a doctor as soon as possible as there are anti-viral medications which may be useful in certain cases.
3. Bed Bugs
Lastly, bed bugs is one of the most common bugs that we can inadvertently bring into our homes from our travels.
These pesky creatures can hitchhike into your home by way of your clothes, sleeping bag and even luggage. Contrary to popular belief, bedbugs can even be found in the fanciest of hotels!
Steps to get rid of bedbugs:
- If you got bitten or notice bedbugs in your overseas accommodations, vacuum your suitcase, backpack, camera bag etc – leave no seam unsucked.
- Wash everything in the hottest water possible to boil the little biters.
- If disastrously, an infestation takes root in your home, the same applies.
- Vacuum everything and wash or dry clean everything moveable ( clothes, bedspread, rugs etc) in the hottest water possible.
- If all else fails, call a professional pest exterminator.
Holidaying abroad is certainly an enriching activity. However, being “enriched” with the bugs mentioned above is certainly something we all want to avoid. So, take the necessary precautions and have a safe holiday![:]
