Detailed guide for safe holidays from ISA
The Medical Association of Athens advises vacationers to prevent health problems that may occur during their stay. In fact, the teams of ISA and the Region of Attica distributed relevant informational material in the ports of Piraeus.
The President of ISA and Regional Governor of Attica Giorgos Patoulis emphasized the importance of observing the precautionary measures, to prevent the predicted situations that may endanger our health. “The change of environment during the holidays can pose risks, especially for vulnerable groups of the population such as the elderly, children and the chronically ill. The ISA and the Region of Attica are close to the citizen, with informative actions on everything we need to know in order to protect his health”, notes Giorgos Patoulis.
See the detailed guide for safe holidays compiled by the member of the Scientific Committee of the ISA and the Region of Attica, Mr. Charilaos K. Koutis, MD, MPH, MSc, PhD, Medical Epidemiologist, Om. Professor of Sanitary Epidemiology and Public Health University of Western Attica:
-Travel Planning
-Public transport
-Tickets, travel time, personal protective equipment, masks, hats, gloves, disinfectants
Your car your car before the holidays. Strictly adheres to safe driving rules.
-Stop every 100 kilometers in an organized parking lot
-Diet
-Water – Food
Particularly:
• Avoid drinking unregulated tap and ice.
• Ask for your drink without ice. Do not drink soft drinks.
• Consume only boiled, peeled or well-washed vegetables and fruits.
• Drink bottled water if it is not safe from the mains.
• Meat and fish must be very well cooked
• Avoid food and drink from street vendors or places where basic hygiene rules are not followed.
• Avoid serving from buffets where you don’t prefer protective covers and mental aids.
• Prefer food packaged with a label.
• Avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
• Avoid eating cold sauces that are not refrigerated.
• Do not forget holidays for vulnerable people.
• Don’t forget to wash your hands well with soap.
• Drink plenty of fluids (especially children and vulnerable people).
• Do not leave your dog alone in the car.
• food poisoning
The use of antidiarrheals is prohibited in children younger than 2 years. Children and the elderly get dehydrated very quickly from diarrhea.
Sun
• Avoid exposure to the sun during midday hours (12-4pm).
• Do not expose yourself to the sun without sunscreen (with SPF >20), even when swimming.
• Everyone should wear sunglasses and a hat.
• In prolonged exposure, wear long, light-colored, cotton clothing.
• Pay attention to small children and vulnerable people during their stay at sea.
Altitude
• The rapid rise in altitude can be accompanied by a feeling of easy fatigue, headache, nausea, insomnia and irritability, at an altitude above 2,500 meters.
• Blood clots in the leg veins can occur on many trips of more than 10 hours. Walk to the stops, drink plenty of fluids, wear special elastic socks.
Sexual behavior
• Avoid multiple sexual partners.
• Avoid sexual contact with strangers.
• Always wear a condom during sex.
Sea
• Children are very sensitive to changes in ambient temperature and solar radiation, and in unfamiliar surroundings. Protect children from the sun with special sunscreens. Wear them a hat. Light colored cotton clothing.
• Do not dive alone.
• Do not lie on the sand or dirt without a towel. Wear closed shoes when walking on wet soil or mud.
• Wear beach shoes
• Pay attention to the days.
• Relax and get help if you get leg cramps in the sea
• Do not swim on unfamiliar beaches alone
Insects – pests – animals
• Do not pet unfamiliar animals. If you are bitten by an animal, disinfect the wound and seek medical attention.
• the bites of those that cause a local allergic reaction.
-Dress appropriately, with long pants and closed shoes, when walking in the forest or in tall grass.
-Use insect repellents containing DEET.
-Shake clothes and shoes well before putting them on and sheets before lying down.
If you are bitten by an insect:
– Disinfect the wound with an antiseptic.
– Seek medical attention if you experience swelling or difficulty breathing or if it is a scorpion or spider bite that lives in tropical countries.
– Ticks attach to clothing or skin when walking in mostly forested areas.
– Flies can transmit germs.
Portable pharmacy – What should it contain?
• Simple dressing 2.5 x 5 cm and 2.5 x 10 cm, non-sterile
• Cotton, Gauze, Triangular bandage Hemostatic pressure bandage, Alcohol. Antiseptic drug oxygen
• Tincture of iodine Antiseptic mercurochrome
• Ammonia solution, Analgesic anti-inflammatory tablets and Analgesic anti-inflammatory ointment
• Antacids, antidiarrheals, tablets, Antipyretics
• Food poisoning tablets, Antihistamine tablets and ointment, Antimicrobial eye drops.
• Cortisone ointment for topical application, Sunscreen cream
• Cream for healing skin burns
• Anti-nausea tablets and laxatives
• Electrolytes in powder, Normal serum
• Sterile gauzes Self-adhesive gauzes
• White plasterer Common scissors, tongs, safety guards
• Ice pack Hemostatic rubber 2.5 and 5 ml syringes. Thermometer, Adequacy of medicines for vulnerable people (especially if you go to regions or mountains)
Useful telephone numbers in the area (Police, Health Center, Hospital, Pharmacies, Municipality, Medical Association, etc.).
Nina Komnenou