Q: If people are going to an area with mosquitoes, what should they take?
A: I always advise them to use an insect repellent containing DEET. DEET is the safest,well-studied insect repellent. It has to contain at least 30 per cent or higher of DEET — there’s no need to use more than 50 per cent — and they have to apply it every four hours to exposed parts of their body. If you use less than 30 per cent, you need to apply it more often. There’s one brand that I recommend, because I look at all these products, and it’s Coleman.
traveller’s diarrhea is the No. 1 cause of illness [for travellers].
Cipro: Depending on destinations, in Southeast Asia, Cipro does not work anymore against those common pathogens that cause traveller’s diarrhea. So if a traveller is going to Southeast Asia, the only [antibiotic] that works right now is azithromycin. A lot of travellers are not aware of that because primary-care doctors like using Cipro. But in Southeast Asia, it’s not going to work.
Q: Any tips for staying healthy when you’re in transit?
A: The dirtiest part of the plane is your tray. Use disinfectant, like wipes, on your tray table before touching it, and also use wipes on the armrests. And of course, always use hand sanitizer.
National Post
