Sick on the Road

Tips for visiting the dentist while abroad

May 9, 2013

Going to the dentist is rarely (can we say never?) an enjoyable experience. But when you are at home, you at least know what to expect. Finding a dentist abroad and having your teeth worked on, even if it’s just for a simple cleaning, can be daunting. In this post, we offer a few tips [...]

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Traveling with Heartburn (GERD)

May 4, 2013

I’ve told you about my heartburn, right? Yeah, I have. I mentioned it in this post about doxycycline. You see, I took doxycycline for 6 months as a malaria prophylactic and subsequently developed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It has been debilitating in many ways. Symptoms of GERD can include heartburn, a cough, and miserably, the [...]

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Let’s Talk about it: Travel and Constipation

April 25, 2013

There are times when a little constipation is not a bad thing. You know, when you’re on a 36 hour bus trip, for example. For the most part, however, constipation is an unwanted malady, and one that can actually be quite uncomfortable and even painful. In this post, we will talk about why travelers are [...]

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What are the chances of a major pandemic?

April 19, 2013

With talk of yet another incarnation of Avian Bird Flu, there is much speculation as to whether we will soon see a pandemic. In this post, we will take a look at possible pandemic scenarios in an attempt to understand how likely they are to occur. A pandemic refers to a disease outbreak that effects [...]

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Wormwood tea can be used as a malaria prophylactic?

April 6, 2013

Not long ago, we wrote in our malaria myths and facts article that malaria cannot be treated or prevented with herbal remedies. Now we have articles surfacing in the press that suggest wormwood tea may be an effective weapon against malaria. So what is the deal? Are herbal remedies legit? In this post, we will [...]

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How to Survive in the Desert

March 26, 2013

Traveling through the desert can be a transformative experience. It is one of the most unforgivable environments on the planet. Hot in the day, cold at night, and vast expanses of, well, not much other than sand. Deserts are worth exploring, but caution needs to be taken. In this post, we will explain a few [...]

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When your foot is pointing the wrong direction, that’s bad

March 12, 2013

The following is a guest post from Lisa Boice. Brace yourself for a traumatic yet entertaining read. We would also recommend reading her thoughtful blog, The baby aspirin years and following her on twitter at @MsBoice. There was an expletive. More than one, in fact. I had just slipped on an icy section of the [...]

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Philippines Travel Health Guide

March 8, 2013

Known for its extreme bio-diversity, populous urban areas and stunning beaches, the Philippines are a popular destination for travelers to Southeast Asia. As a tropical developing world country, there are some travel health risks for those visiting this nation of islands. In this post, we will cover everything from vaccinations to malaria risk. Vaccinations for [...]

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Think you have a parasite? Read this

February 21, 2013

One of the most common fears among travelers to developing world countries is that they have (or will acquire) an intestinal parasite. This is in part because parasites can have vague symptoms, or none at all. In this post, we will talk about some of the more common parasites, their symptoms, and how to go [...]

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No Soap and Water? Try These Alternative Disinfectants

January 31, 2013

Find yourself without access to soap or water, or both? No hydrogen peroxide or alcohol based sanitizer? Have a cut you need to clean? You may have more options than you think. In this post, we will take a look at some alternative disinfectants. Some are products you may already have (or can buy), while [...]

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