PRACTICAL INFO - Health

Health and Medical Matters

SHOULD I BRING MY OWN MEDICAL OR 1ST AID KIT?

Our Tour Leaders carry a 1st Aid kit for use only in emergencies. We also recommend that you bring your own small personal kit including items such as:
• Plasters (e.g. for cuts and blisters)
• Antiseptic cream
• Insect repellent
• Sun protection
• Diarrhoea treatment
• Rehydration sachets
• Glucose tablets or similar rapid energy source
• Lip balm and moisturiser
• Pain killers (aspirin, paracetamol etc.)
• Insect bite ointment
• An adequate supply of any personal medication requirments
• Malaria phrophylactics

ARE THERE ANY SERIOUS COMMON COMPLAINTS FOR TRAVELLERS TO PERU?

DIARRHOEA
This complaint is very common for travellers in Latin America. Sampling the local food and
drink is one of the highlights of travelling.  At times this is minimised by cooking for ourselves
(e.g. on expeditions to the Ashaninka), but we also eat food prepared for us in restaurants and cafes.  Normally, diarrhoea passes after a few days of adjustment to the new water and bacteria which accompanies a change of continent.  Eating only well cooked fresh food and avoiding salad washed in unsterilised water can help avoid this problem, but it strikes most people at one time
or another.  If you do get it, then drink plenty of clean water and rest, if possible.  If the diarrhoea persists for more than a few days you should inform your Tour Leader of this fact and seek medical attention at the first opportunity.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Called soroche in the Andes, altitude sickness may effect groups passing over the Andes or
on arrival at Cusco.  For this reason we have designed the tour to minimise effort for the first
few days at high altitudes.  The initial symptoms vary from a headache to fainting or coughing. 
A few days of acclimatisation in Cusco is usually enough to put anyone right.  For serious attacks, medicical attention is required and/or dropping back down towards sea level.

HEATSTROKE
Heatstroke is a danger, particularly travelling on rivers in the jungle without a hat or roof cover to the canoe.  The sun is strong at these latitudes and the breeze experienced travelling on a river can mask this.  Drinking plenty of water, wearing a good sun hat, loose clothing, long sleeves and seeking out shade can help avoid this horrible complaint.

IS DIABETES A PROBLEM FOR PARTICIPANTS ON THIS TRIP?

Being diabetic does not in itself make it too complicated for someone to join the trip.  Ecotribal would need to know some details about your needs, interests and abilities, including any specific dietary requirements, personal energy levels (if on a trip that involves serious walking), whether or not insulin injections or other medication is required and if there is any need for refrigeration.

SEE ALSO - Booking Form, Terms & Conditions as well as FAQ's for more important details on health matters