Health Ailments: What Tourists in India are Prone to and the Remedies.A Study Based on Tourists who Visited Kerala from January to December 2019
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
1160 Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, July 2020, Vol. 11, No. 7
Health Ailments: What Tourists in India are Prone to and the
Remedies.A Study Based on Tourists who Visited Kerala from
January to December 2019
Dini Eldho1, Sreenath Muraleedharan K2
1
MPhil Research Scholar, Department of English and Languages, Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, Kochi Campus,
India, 2 Professor, Department of English and Languages, Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, Kochi Campus, India·
Abstract
Background: India is a country in South East Asia with a vast and wide variety of geography and culture.
To experience India is something magical. The number of international tourists visiting India have increased
considerably in this decade when in comparison with last few decades. Tourism has become one of the major
sources of income for the development of the country. Changes occurred in the world scenario on behalf of
tourism have led to the increased concern in health dimension related to it. The risks faced by tourists during
the visit to tropical destinations like India are very high. Travelers are advised to avoid risks in health by
the WHO which plays a prominent role in sketching out frequent health issues faced by individuals while
travelling internationally.
Objectives: To study the health issues among tourists visiting India. Identify the major causes of these
health ailments. To check out the precautions should be adopted by while being in the country inorder to
avoid health risks.. And finally to analyze the remedies which can be given to the tourists to avoid these
issues and to make the trip an ever remembering one.
Methodology: A survey has been conducted among the tourists who visited India from January 2019 to
December 2019. The tourists were given questionnaire to get their opinion and experiences regarding health.
Results: The basis for the assessment were the responses shown by the participants in the survey .The
survey was conducted among 40 international tourists. Among them 10 had not come across any disease
during their trip. Diarrhea was reported to 13 people of survey population. Dengue was reported for 5
people .Malaria was reported to 4 people and hepatitis for 3. Finally, typhoid for 2 of the participants who
participated in the survey.
Conclusion:: This assessment gives a detailed description about the health issues encountered by the tourists
because of their lack of control over food habits. Most of them were affected with diseases due to their
sudden change into spicy food eaters and food tasting from cheap hotels and places which are nearer to
slums with polluted water wells.
Keywords: Tourists, Health, Precautions, Remedies.
Introduction
Corresponding Author:
Dini Eldho, Human travel is as old as human history. Travel has
MPhil Research Scholar, Department of English and been a part of human life even from its nomadic state.
Languages, Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, Kochi
Campus, India. Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001- Tourism has become an industry and it is also one
8893-2299 E-mail: dinialias16@gmail .com, among the major income generator for developing
Phone number: 9048056656 as well as developed countries. The Declaration ofIndian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, July 2020, Vol. 11, No. 7 1161
Manila conducted on World Tourism in 1980 defined its practices differ from one’s home country may cause
significance as “an activity essential to the life of nations short-term gastroenteritis .This occurs mostly from
because of its direct effects on the social, cultural, contaminated food or water and is known as traveler’s
educational, and economic sectors of national societies, diarrhoea. Diarrhoea associated with jet lag will usually
and on their international relations.” subside in a matter of days without treatment.”[3]
Travelling between countries help in realizing each Signs and symptoms
other’s culture and geographic versatility. There are a
Sign and symptoms determines diarrhoea include
multitude of things one can achieve from visiting and
loose, fluid motions more than usual times a day. Other
exploring different, unseen places.
symptoms are:
Studies reveal that travelling can improve your
· Feeling to go to toilets frequently.
overall health and develop peace of inner mind, and
rejuvenate your creativity. Therefore, you need to · Severe abdominal pain and cramping in stomach
take time out from your daily pressures in life, office area.
responsibilities, hectic schedule, and everyday tasks at
least once in every year. · Stools with colour change.
Traveling is different for different people. For · Stools mixed with other body fat.
some, it is about physical movement. For others, it is
· Tendency to vomit and nausea.
about journeys of the mind. Traveling is the best way
of expanding your horizons. Traveling is overall an · Overall body tiredness due to loss of energy .
amazing experience which also have certain pitfalls to
overcome, too. But for some, traveling can have more Treatment
disadvantages than advantages. It depends on the health “Because most cases of diarrhoea resolve on their
condition of the person who travels. Here we consider own within a day or two, self-care to relieve symptoms
certain major diseases that are more prone for the visitors is usually sufficient for treatment:
to get affected while visiting India and the precautions
must be taken by them while visiting India. Avoid caffeine, dairy products, and greasy, high
fibre, or sugary foods
Disease Review
Placing a hot water bottle or wheat pack on your
1. Diarrhea stomach, or taking paracetamol (e.g. Panadol), may
Travelers are mostly affected by Traveler’s Diarrhea, provide some relief from abdominal cramps
which is a common ailment occurs while in travel. Apply zinc and castor oil ointment or a barrier
“Diarrhoea is when you have frequent loose watery cream to affected areas if you, or your child, develop a
bowel motions. In most cases, the symptoms resolve on rash (like nappy rash) from the diarrhoea
their own within a couple of days without the need for Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
medical treatment.”[3] (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or diclofenac, for
Causes pain relief as these medications can cause diarrhoea
“Acute diarrhoea is usually caused by a bacterial Anti-diarrhoeal medications that slow diarrhoea
(eg, salmonella), viral (eg, norovirus or rotavirus), or (e.g. Imodium) should be avoided as these drugs prevent
parasitic (eg, giardia) infection of the bowels. Diarrhoea your body from getting rid of the bacteria or virus that
caused by any of these infections is referred to as may have caused the diarrhea.
gastroenteritis. To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of liquid every
Travel to places where the climate or sanitary day, taking small, frequent sips. Ideal liquids are clear1162 Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, July 2020, Vol. 11, No. 7
thin broths or soups, diluted non-caffeinated sports 3. Dengue Fever
drinks (e.g. Powerade or Gatorade), and rehydration
“Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease
formulations (e.g. Gastrolyte) that are available without
caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin
prescription from a pharmacy.” [3]
three to fourteen days after infection.These may include
2. Malaria a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains,
and a characteristic skin rash. Recovery generally takes
“Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious
two to seven days.”[2]
disease that affects humans and other
animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically Causes
include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In
“Dengue propagates mainly through female
severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma,
mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, A. aegypti. The virus
or death. Symptoms usually begin ten to fifteen days
is of five kinds. Numerous types of tests are available to
after being bitten by an infected mosquito. If not
diagnose dengue, including discerning antibodies to the
properly treated, people may have recurrences of
virus or its RNA.” [6] Dengue has become a global issue
the disease months later. In those who have recently
since the World War Second. The disease is common in
survived an infection, reinfection usually causes milder
more than 100 countries, especially in Asia and South
symptoms. This partial resistance disappears over
America.
months to years if the person has no continuing exposure
to malaria.’’[1] Treatment
Causes No particular medicine or method is available to
treat dengue fever. If you are diagnosed with dengue
“It is caused by single-celled microorganisms of
fever, it is advised to use pain relievers that contain
the Plasmodium group. The disease is most commonly
acetaminophen. It is better to avoid aspirin, which makes
spread by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The
bleeding worsen. Taking rest, drinking plenty of water,
mosquito bite introduces the parasites from the
and consulting your doctor for necessary advices help to
mosquito’s saliva into a person’s blood. The
overcome dengue.
parasites travel to the liver where they mature
and reproduce. Five species of Plasmodium can 4. Hepatitis
infect and be spread by humans. Most deaths are
caused by P. falciparum because P. vivax, P. ovale, “Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of
and P. malariae generally cause a milder form the liver. It’s commonly caused by a viral infection,
of malaria. The species P. knowlesi rarely causes but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These
disease in humans. Malaria is typically diagnosed by include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs
the microscopic examination of blood using blood films, as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and
or with antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests. Methods alcohol.
that use the polymerase chain reaction to detect the
Hepatitis is a virus that affects the liver. Hepatitis A
parasite’s DNA have been developed, but are not widely
is contracted by ingesting contaminated food and water,
used in areas where malaria is common due to their cost
while Hepatitis B is spread through blood and bodily
and complexity.” [1]
fluids. Symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, nausea,
Treatment poor appetite, stomach pain, dark colored urine, and
yellow skin or eyes (jaundice).”[4]
People travelling to places where malaria is
common would be better to take protective drugs before, Types of Hepatitis includes:
during and after their trip. Treatment also includes
1. Hepatitis A
antimalarial drugs which are commonly available with
the prescription of a medical practitioner. “ Hepatitis A is infected with the hepatitis A virusIndian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, July 2020, Vol. 11, No. 7 1163
(HAV). This category of hepatitis transmitted by having Symptoms typically start between 6 to 30 days after
food or water which are contaminated from the motion exposure to the bacteria.” [5]
of people who are infected with hepatitis A.” [4]
“ Two significant “ symptoms of typhoid are rash
Hepatitis B and fever. Fever will be particularly high for typhoid
patients and it gradually increases over up to 104
Hepatitis B is usually infected through the contact
degrees Fahrenheit, or 39 to 40 degrees Celsius. The
with infectious bodily fluids, such as blood, vaginal
rash, which does not affect all patients, is of rose-colored
secretions or semen, which contains the hepatitis B virus
spots, especially on the neck and abdomen. Other signs
(HBV). “ Drug usage through used injections ,syringes,
for typhoid include: overall body weakness, severe
sexual relationship with an affected partner, or sharing
abdominal pain, constipation which lasts for days and
shaving razors with an infected person etc. increase your
headaches.” [6]
chance of getting infected with hepatitis B.”[4]
6. Cholera
Hepatitis C
“ Cholera is an infection that creates severe watery
“ Hepatitis C is infected through the hepatitis C
bowel movements like that of diarrhea, which lead
virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is affected from direct contact
to loss of water in the body and even death if remain
with infected bodily fluids, typically through sexual
untreated. It is commonly affected by consuming food
intercourse and drug injestions.” [4]
or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium namely
Hepatitis D Vibrio Cholerae.
“ Delta hepatitis is another name in which hepatitis Symptoms of cholera begin as soon as few hours or
D is known and it is a serious disease which affects liver. as long as five days after getting infected. Symptoms are
It is spreaded by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV mild typically but sometimes they are serious. Certain
commonly gets transmitted through direct contact with infected people shows severe watery diarrhea along with
the blood of the person who is infected. It is an uncommon vomiting, which can easily lead to dehydration. “ [6]
form of hepatitis that only occurs in mutual relation
Observation and Results
with hepatitis B infection.The presence of hepatitis B
contracts the multiplication of hepatitis d virus. Without 1. Table of Age wise distribution
its presence hepatitis D remains inactive.” [4]
Age Number of people Percentage
Hepatitis E
20-30 15 37.5
Hepatitis E is commonly affected by the hepatitis E
virus (HEV). It is also a waterborne disease. Hepatitis E 30-40 14 35
is seen in areas with poor sanitation and usually results
from fecal matter that contaminates the supply of water. 40-50 7 17.5
5. Typhoid 50-60 4 10
Causes
2. Table of sex wise distribution
“Typhoid is a bacterial infection that can lead to a
high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. It can be fatal. It is Sex Number of people Percentage
caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. The infection is
Male 25 62.5
often passed on through contaminated food and drinking
water, and it is more prevalent in places where hand Female 15 37.5
washing is less frequent. It can also be passed on by
carriers who do not know they carry the bacteria.” 3. Socio Economic status wise Distribution1164 Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, July 2020, Vol. 11, No. 7
is 5 %.
Age Number of people Percentage
Discussion
Poor 0 0
India is the land of spices and yummy street foods.
Middle 35 87.5 Most of the Indian foods are prepared with spices. Many
of travelers from other countries may not be used with
Rich 5 12.5
extra spicy foods. Having Indian foods without any
prior experience can make the stomach and intestines of
4. Diet wise Distribution
tourists go wrong.
Number of Diarrhea is a usual travel ailment affected by
Age Percentage
people
travelers which mainly results from the intake of spicy
foods (which are extremely different from the usually
Vegetarian 5 12.5 used to foods) and contaminated food and water. The
stomachs and intestines do not easily accept the change
Mixed 35 87.5 in diet.
Malaria and Dengue fever both of these diseases are
5. Symptom wise distribution transmitted by mosquitoes and are most problematic in
places where there is stagnant and contaminated water
Number of for mosquitoes to breed, particularly during and just
Symptom Percentage
people
after the rainy season.
Diarrhea 13 32.5
Hepatitis is a virus that mainly infects the liver.
Hepatitis A is caused often through contaminated food
Malaria Fever 4 10 and water which contains the motion of an infected
person. Extremely high fever, diarrhea, sweating and
Hepatitis 3 7.5 vomiting are the important symptoms of hepatitis
infected patient.
Typhoid 2 5
Cholera is seen in India rarely and the threat of
Cholera 2 5 death is also low. Occasional limited outbreaks do occur
in India. The common symptom is high watery bowel
Dengue 5 12.5
movement that lasts a few days which is an effect of
bacterial infection in the intestine.
Not affected with
10 25 “Precaution is better than cure.” India is an amazing
any disease
country to experience. Keep these things in mind before
Results travelling to India, so that yours will be an evergreen
trip. Drinking bottled water while travelling helps in
The basis for the assessment of the results were the
reducing the chance to get affected with contaminated
responses shown by the participants in the survey .The
and polluted water. Consume freshly cooked food. Eat
survey was contacted among 40 international tourists
from restaurants that are popular and crowded but not
and among them 10 that is 25 % had not come across
empty. Careful while eating washed salads and having
any disease during their trip. Diarrhea was reported to
fresh fruit juice which can be mixed with polluted water
13 people that are 37.5% of survey population. Dengue
and ice. Non-vegetarians must avoid food from cheap
was reported for 5 people that are 12.5 % Malaria was
restaurants and railway station vendors since they are not
reported to 4 people that is 10%, Hepatitis for 3 that is
well aware of preparing food in hygiene. Over cooked,
7.5% Typhoid for 2 that is 5% cholera for 2 people that
spicy red meats can damage the stomach if not used to.Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, July 2020, Vol. 11, No. 7 1165
Conclusion children.org/archive/2013/apr/deadly-flight-the-
airborne-menace-of-malaria
India can be experienced fully only if you are
2. Dengue and severe dengue [Internet]. Who.int.
completely healthy. So taking these precautions can
2020 [cited 21 March 2020]. Available from:
make you free from diseases and enjoy the tour in full
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/
fledge. Travelers to India can be exposed to various
dengue-and-severe-dengue
infectious diseases.
3. Diarrhea disease [Internet]. Who.int. 2020 [cited 21
Diseases can be prevented by taking necessary steps March 2020]. Available from: https://www.who.
in your food habits while in the country. India is an int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease
over populated land with wide diversity in all aspects. 4. Hepatitis: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
For a first time visitor the land serves some amazing [Internet]. Healthline. 2020 [cited 21 March 2020].
experience in its food culture too. A prior knowledge Available from: https://www.healthline.com/
about the culinary and cuisines in India can help you in health/hepatitis
taking precautions on what to eat and not. Always have 5. Infectious Diseases: Recognizing and Managing -
a safe trip and stay healthy. Emergency Department | EB Medicine [Internet].
Ebmedicine.net. 2020 [cited 21 March 2020].
Conflict of Interest: NIL Available from: https://www.ebmedicine.net/
topics/infectious-disease/emerging-infectious-
Source of Funding: Self
diseases
Ethical Clearance: All procedures performed in 6. Main Page [Internet]. Wikipedia. 2020 [cited 21
studies involving human participants were in accordance March 2020]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.
with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or org/wiki/Main_Page
national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki 7. Top 7 Common Health Issues for Travel to India
declaration and its later amendments or comparable [Internet]. TripSavvy. 2020 [cited 21 March 2020].
ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from Available from: https://www.tripsavvy.com/
all individual participants included in the study. common-health-issues-for-india-travel-1539610
8. Typhoid: Symptoms, treatment, causes, and
References prevention [Internet]. Medicalnewstoday.com.
1. Deadly Flight: The Airborne Menace of Malaria 2020 [cited 21 March 2020]. Available from: https://
[Internet]. Children International. 2020 [cited www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156859.
21 March 2020]. Available from: https://www.You can also read
