Dysentery: Don't Let it Ruin Your Time Abroad

LONDON, April 29, 2010 - Dysentery

- Dysentery is a Common Problem for Expatriates Moving Abroad

- Poor Sanitation is Often the Cause

- Following a Few Simple Tips Can Avoid Serious Illness

- MediCare International (www.medicare.co.uk) Policies Cover
Dysentery Cases

Most people have experienced some form of stomach infection at one point
in their lives, usually when they have been overseas in a new environment.
The symptoms usually include diarrhoea; in its most extreme form this becomes
Dysentery - the after effects can last for several years.

Dysentery is a highly contagious bacterial infection, which is spread by
poor hygiene. It is usually spread by hand to mouth transfer from person to
person, or from surfaces which have been contaminated by an infected person.
Outbreaks are more likely to occur in overcrowded areas where poor hygiene
practices exist. Travellers and expatriates beware (
www.medicare.co.uk/instantQuote/ind_Applicant.aspx?cover=1)! It's far
more likely to happen to those people travelling to new areas, particularly
Latin America, Africa, Middle East and Asia. Also, people are far more likely
to develop Dysentery in a new geographical area, not only because of poor
hygiene but because of the lack of immunity.

Symptoms usually appear between six hours and three days after infection.
They include watery diarrhoea, sometimes with blood and mucus. This is
usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and general
malaise.

To reduce the risk of developing Dysentery, travellers should observe the
following basic rules:

    - Wash your hands after using the toilet, after contact with an
      infected person and regularly throughout the day.
    - Wash your hands before handling, cooking, and eating food,
      handling babies and feeding young or elderly people.
    - Keep contact with someone known to have dysentery to a minimum.
    - Wash laundry on the hottest setting possible
    - Avoid sharing items such as towels and face cloths

Usually, dysentery clears after a few days and no treatment is needed.
However, it is important to replace any fluids that have been lost through
diarrhoea.

If you're unfortunate enough to develop this condition, make sure you
rest and drink plenty of fluids. Water, fruit juice and isotonic (sports)
drinks that replace salts and minerals are best. Avoid contact with other
people until you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours. In severe
cases, antibiotic treatment or hospital admission for intravenous therapy is
necessary.

If you have amoebic dysentery, your GP may prescribe an antibiotic called
metronidazole. As ever with medication, make sure you complete the prescribed
course. After this treatment has finished, you should then take a course of
diloxanide (a drug that kills the amoeba).

Since most cases of dysentery are short, antibiotics are only used if the
dysentery does not clear up on its own. Antibiotics can also be used to stop
the spread of dysentery to other people if there is a high risk.

David Pryor, Senior Executive Director at Medicare International
(www.medicare.co.uk) said: "Those moving abroad should be especially
cautious when visiting to larger cities with poor hygiene and should follow
all the preventative measures outlined above. If you are unlucky enough to be
struck down by this condition, despite following these guidelines, make sure
you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. If the condition persists,
ask for a doctor, as the condition may deteriorate without enough salts and
fluid in the body. Travellers (
www.medicare.co.uk/individualpolicies.htm) are particularly at risk as
their immunity is very low if they are visiting a new area. All of Medicare
International's policies (www.medicare.co.uk/individualpolicies.htm)
cover treatment costs relating to Dysentery and our 24 hour helpline is there
so you're always in safe hands should medical assistance be needed.Our
priority is to look after the health of our policyholders and to avoid any
illness from getting any worse. A critical part of this is speed of response
and our helpline can respond rapidly, wherever you are in the world."

With over 25 years experience of supporting the international business
community worldwide and clients from 86 nationalities in 114 countries,
Medicare International - website www.medicare.co.uk - is a major
provider of health insurance for expats across the world.

Note to Editors

MediCare International has been speaking fluent healthcare for over 25
years ensuring simple, quick access to the best health facilities for
expatriates of all nationalities living or working abroad and protection
against the costs of inpatient and outpatient medical treatment. Currently,
MediCare International has clients in 114 countries worldwide of 86 different
nationalities.

MediCare specialises in designing flexible medical insurance cover backed
up with the assurance of 24-hour emergency medical assistance for clients and
their families. Help, advice and support are only a telephone call away where
trained professionals can authorise treatment/settle bills direct with
medical facilities, or arrange medical evacuation when necessary - wherever
you are in the world. Most medical bills are refunded within 10 days, making
this one of the fastest settlement times in the industry.

MediCare International were one of the first insurers to offer genuine
chronic care costs cover, so clients with long term medication costs can rest
assured knowing they will be covered.

Cover under group plans is also available to most local nationals.
Discounted group rates start with just 3 lives and full medical history
disregarded exemptions are available on groups of 10 and over, making
Medicare one of the most competitive staff cover providers.

For details of MediCare's international health insurance plans visit
www.medicare.co.uk, email medicare@medicare.co.uk or call +44
(0)20-7816-2033.

For further information on MediCare International, please contact:

    Guy Stephenson/Jenny Duffy
    Nacelle Limited
    Tel: +44 (0)20-8333-9125

For details of MediCare's international health insurance plans visit
www.medicare.co.uk, email medicare at medicare.co.uk or call +44(0)20-7816-2033. For further information on MediCare International, please contact: Guy Stephenson/Jenny Duffy, Nacelle Limited, Tel: +44(0)20-8333-9125