Health and Medical Information
Everyone's health needs are a little different; children have different
requirements than pregnant women, people with high blood pressure or people with severe
allergies. The best way to prevent becoming sick while overseas is to begin with
discussing your medical needs with your personal physician. Your doctor will be able
to advise you as to any suggested immunizations
based on your travel plans and own medical history.
The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia also offers in-depth
information for travelers of all ages. Their website provides detailed
information: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/
You may also reach the CDC recorded/fax back information at
1-877-394-8747.
Once you begin traveling the best way to keep healthy is by taking a few
precautions. Below you will find information to assist you with medical
preparations for your trip as well as providing tips on how to stay healthy
during your travels. Keep in mind we are not medical authorities.
The best source for personal information will be your physician.
Physically Preparing for your Trip
The Galapagos islands are ideal for healthy people of all ages looking to
get out there and enjoy nature up close. While a trip to the islands can
be fairly easy when it comes to activity, a basic level of fitness is in
order. Even though the hikes are evenly paced in gorgeous settings, you
can expect some long walks in hot weather. In short, the better shape you
are in the more you will enjoy your trip. Once you arrive in the islands you
will have plenty of opportunity to participate in activities such as hiking,
swimming, snorkeling, and sea kayaking.
Quito stands at 9,600 feet above sea level so a stroll along the cobblestone
streets of the colonial center can cause shortness of breath. For those who
enjoy horses, riding can be arranged while staying at one of the lovely
haciendas on the mainland, which also offers excellent hiking. It is
really up to you how much you want to participate in activities vs. relaxing.
Taking up a moderate exercise program well before your trip will help insure
you get the most out of your vacation. Always be sure to check with your
physician when embarking on any exercise program.
Staying Healthy
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or
bottles.
- Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an
“absolute 1-micron or less” filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered
water. “Absolute 1-micron filters” are found in camping or outdoor supply stores.
- Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have
peeled yourself.
Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it!
- Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
- Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
- Don’t handle animals.
- To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not
go barefoot.
Avoid Getting Sick
- Don't eat food purchased from street vendors
- Don't drink beverages with ice (unless you are onboard one of our yachts)
- Don't eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized
- Don't handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs and cats) to avoid bites
and serious diseases
Preventing Gastro-Intestinal Disorders
"Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travelers,"
according the CDC. Following the precaution above will insure that you do
not get the most common affliction: traveler's diarrhea. Even when you
are in your hotel and especially when you are on your own avoid tap water for brushing
your teeth, instead use purified or the bottle water which will be provided and
always avoid ice except when on our yachts. As back up you may want to
talk to your physician to see if you can receive a prescription for an
antibiotic that is targeted at traveler's diarrhea. There are also over
the counter drugs that can help.
Immunizations
While no shots are required for travel to the Galapagos Islands, you should consult with
your physician 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to discuss health precautions you may wish to
take.
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) (Hepatitis A is water and food born)
- Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing areas in this region
- Yellow fever vaccination, if you will be traveling to the jungle
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles
- Malaria tablets if you will be traveling to the jungle or the mainland coast
- Rabies, if you are traveling to farms in the Andean highlands
Important Note:
If your travel plans include visits to both Ecuador and
Brazil you are required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate or you
will not be allowed to board your international flight (Brazilian Regulations)
If you are currently taking prescription medication make sure you bring enough to last
during your trip, all medication must be clearly labeled, and include a copy of the
prescription for the medicine. Medicine should be divided into two different pieces
of luggage so that if one piece is lost or stolen your medicine is still available.
If you are carrying syringes for medical reasons a medical certificate of explanation
should also be carried. Many countries view individuals holding syringes as
potential drug traffickers and possession can lead to serious legal problems.
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What to Bring with You
A personal First Aid Kit
containing bandages, insect repellent, and other basic items will help you if you have a
minor problem while away from home. If you suffer from motion sickness you may want
to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist Sea
Sickness medications to take with you when you are on board.
Travel Insurance
can provide you with medical care overseas if you do become ill or injured. You
normally need to purchase the insurance before leaving home, and make sure to bring the
information with you when you travel in case you need to file a claim.
Altitude
Due to Quito's lofty elevation well above 9,000 feet some passengers
traveling from lower elevations may experience symptoms of altitude sickness,
known locally as Soroche. This typically results in shortness of breath,
nausea, and headaches. In most cases the symptoms will gradually lessen
and passes as one's body adjusts to the altitude so it's a good idea to plan to
take it easy the first day or so. Resting helps as does taking
over-the-counter analgesics. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water
or tea also seems to lessen symptoms for some.
Typically the way to avoid getting altitude sickness is to ascend
gradually and thereby acclimate to the higher altitude and less oxygen.
If you have experienced altitude sickness at elevations below 9,000 feet in the
past you may want to spend a few days acclimatizing in the mountains before
flying to Quito. Persistent high altitude sickness symptoms can worsen signaling
danger or the need to get to a lower elevation with more oxygen. If have high blood pressure or heart
conditions you should check with your doctor as to medical precautions before
traveling. Those people who should avoid high elevations or want to avoid Quito
all together may prefer flying in and
out of the port city of
Guayaquil.
Many of the larger hotels in Quito carry oxygen for guests having trouble
with the altitude.
Malaria (Amazon Traveler's Only)
The CDC reports that there is no risk for Malaria in Quito,
Guayaquil, the Central Highlands, or tourist areas of the Galapagos
Islands. If you plan to visit the Amazon or travel to other regions on
the Ecuador below 5,000 feet Malaria will be a hazard you will want to take
necessary precautions to guard against it. Your approach to Malaria
should be determined upon by your physician based on your travel plans and
medical history.
Malaria Prophylactic (Amazon Traveler's Only)
A key means to prevention is to reduce your risk of being
bitten by mosquitoes. These methods include wearing light long sleeve
shirts and pants making it harder for a mosquito to bite you. Wearing a
hat and making sure your feel and ankles are also covered will reduce your
risk. Using insect repellent is also very important. Avoiding areas
highly infested and avoiding being out at the dime of the day-usually dawn and
dusk-when mosquitoes are out will also help. By reducing the number of
mosquito bites you directly lower the odds of being bitten by an infected
mosquito.
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The CDC recommends using insect repellents with DEET and
following these precautions:
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Always use according to the label
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Use only when outdoors and wash skin after coming indoors
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Do not breathe in, swallow, or get into the eyes.
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Do not put on wounds or broken skin.
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Use a concentration of 30 to 35%
Sea Sickness
Seasickness can afflict people in varying degrees when they experience swaying motions,
like yawing and pitching. These motions are most likely to occur when traveling in
rough seas. Mild cases produce minimal nausea; while severe cases can cause vomiting,
dizziness, unsteady walk, loss of balance, loss of coordination, and even
exhaustion.
Seasickness occurs because of excess stimulation to the semicircular canals within the
inner ears.
Prevention and Cures
Staying near the center of the yacht and looking out to the horizon can minimize
symptoms. Some of the more popular non-drug cures for seasickness vary in effectiveness
by the users. They include using wristbands, which act on a pressure point in the wrist
and ginger root or ginger tea to minimize the effects.
A number of over the counter drugs are available to help prevent motion sickness
including meclizine (Bonine), cyclizine (Marezine) and dimenhydrinate
(Dramamine) when taken before exposure they can help minimize discomfort.
Other
treatments are available by prescription only. Most seasickness medicines produce the
side effect of drowsiness. As with any medication, please consult your physician
before beginning treatment and to find the medication that is right for you.
Stability of the Boat
Different boats have different motions, and often the livelier the motion the more
chance that it will bring on a bout of seasickness. As a general rule of thumb the
heavier the boat the better, but there are some exceptions. For instance the Samba, while
only being a 12-passenger boat has a very comfortable motion most of the time.
Tip Top III and the Paranda both have stabilizers that help while the boat is
traveling, but do not offer any stability when the boat is at anchor.
When You Travel
The months of December through May tend to offer the calmest seas. If you are
prone to getting seasick it is best to plan your vacation during these months.
Late August and the month of September tend to have the roughest seas, though this is a good time to visit
the islands, people who suffer from extreme cases should avoid traveling during
these months.
Itinerary
The itinerary you are traveling can increase your chances of seasickness.
Generally speaking most people become accustomed to the boat movement after a couple of
days and chances of seasickness lessen. Trips which visit the inner islands or
travel within the inner waters for the first few days are better for people who suffer
from seasickness, as the outer islands protect these islands from the strong
currents.
Itineraries which visit the outer islands including travel to Genovesa,
Espaņola, Isabela and
Floreana require cruising over open ocean. These passages can be rough and difficult
for passengers who suffer from severe seasickness. Cruises which offer these
passages later in the itinerary are preferable as it allows your body time to adjust to
the boat's swaying motions.
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