THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606060196
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jack Dempsey
LENGTH: 73 lines
Nothing takes the joy out of a beach vacation faster than a robust case of Montezuma's Revenge.
Polite society refers to this malady as traveler's diarrhea. Impolite society ascribes more colorful and uncomplimentary names to it.
By whatever name, the affliction includes a large number of infections that bacteria and viruses cause in the ``GI tract,'' or stomach and bowels. Diarrhea is their unmistakable symptom.
Although it's the embarrassment and inconvenience of diarrhea that interrupt a vacation's enjoyment, it's the dehydration caused by the diarrhea that poses the most serious health problem.
So says Dr. Steven Faber, the first gastroenterologist with regular office hours on the Outer Banks, in the Regional Medical Center.
GI tract infections, he said, are among the most frequent infections in man. Most, fortunately, are mild and can be managed without medical attention.
At the first sign of diarrhea, reduce intake of dairy products and greasy foods. Buy some Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate and follow instructions on the label. Pedialyte, sold at most pharmacies, is recommended for children.
Avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, Motrin and Aleve; Tylenol is safe. Drink sports beverages to restore lost substances such as potassium and bicarbonates.
Finally, wash your hands thoroughly if you will be touching people or handling food, to keep your problem to yourself.
In most instances, these measures will clear up the infection shortly. However, if the diarrhea persists, and especially if vomiting or bloody stools accompany it, seek medical attention. Prolonged dehydration can shut down some organ systems, such as kidneys, and even send a person into shock.
Typical treatment, Faber said, consists of antibiotics and an intravenous solution to restore fluids and chemicals.
Seek treatment especially early for infants, the elderly and people recovering from other illnesses. Dehydration is exceptionally dangerous for them.
The viruses and bacteria that cause GI tract infections enter the body in contaminated food or water and can be contracted by swimming in polluted water.
Since they exist throughout the environment, completely preventing infections is impossible. However, several measures do reduce the risk greatly.
In terms of swimming water, Outer Banks vacationers have already made a wise decision, because our water quality here is good. In New Jersey, by contrast, beach closings due to high pollution levels have occurred more than 200 times in a single year.
Dick Barber, a Duke University marine scientist, said the Outer Banks has the finest beach water quality from Maine to Florida, including the Gulf states.
For drinking purposes, treated tap water, bottled water and water boiled for 15 minutes are usually safe. If there's any question, run the water through a charcoal filter, such as Brita.
Boaters and campers are especially prone to under-refrigerating and undercooking food. Continuous refrigeration and thorough cooking are musts.
Eating raw shellfish is a definite risk. Dr. Faber said the worst cases he's seen resulted from eating raw, contaminated shellfish.
Other foods frequently associated with infections include undercooked chicken, cantaloupe, raw eggs, mayonnaise and creamy sweets and pastries.
But if you store your food properly and take other common-sense precautions, you may actually make a beach vacation safer than staying at home. MEMO: Jack Dempsey has a doctorate in public health from Johns Hopkins
University and has published two books on health care. His columns are
based on interviews with area health care providers. Send comments and
questions to P.O. Box 10, Nags Head, N.C. 27959. ILLUSTRATION: JOHN CORBITT
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