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Dominican viruses
In almost 20 years the only thing I got is Dengue, I didn't even realize when the infection happened as it was discovered during a routine medical check when one of the lever parameters was above normal and further investigation was made.
Afterwards I remember that I once was sick for 3/4 days and because of the symptoms I thought I had a heavy flu. I din't even visit a doctor.
But definitly I've always been extremly careful with drinking water and ice cubes.
Afterwards I remember that I once was sick for 3/4 days and because of the symptoms I thought I had a heavy flu. I din't even visit a doctor.
But definitly I've always been extremly careful with drinking water and ice cubes.
When I travelled here on vacation it seemed I was sick almost every visit with frequent trips to the bathroom. The worst was from oysters eaten at Playa Grande during Semana Santa. Since living here I have yet to have this problem. Not sure if it is immunity or luck or not eating the resort type food.
We moved from Canada and recd the hep shots prior to moving. Flu shots and up to date tetanus (sp?) were also taken.
tom
We moved from Canada and recd the hep shots prior to moving. Flu shots and up to date tetanus (sp?) were also taken.
tom
The thread title refers to "viruses". I'm not sure the sickness comes from viruses, but bacteria mose tourists haven't fully developed an immunity to yet.
Wasn't it common bacteria that killed the invading alien fleet in H.G. Well's War of the Worlds?
Wasn't it common bacteria that killed the invading alien fleet in H.G. Well's War of the Worlds?
Wasn't it common bacteria that killed the invading alien fleet in H.G. Well's War of the Worlds?
Should we tell him that wasn't real?
It was the bacteria the Spanish brought that killed off hundreds of thousands of Aztecs if I recall my history lessons correctly.
Should we tell him that wasn't real?
It was the bacteria the Spanish brought that killed off hundreds of thousands of Aztecs if I recall my history lessons correctly.
Wasn't it common bacteria that killed the invading alien fleet in H.G. Well's War of the Worlds?
Should we tell him that wasn't real?
It was the bacteria the Spanish brought that killed off hundreds of thousands of Aztecs if I recall my history lessons correctly.
It was not bacteria what desimated the Central American population early during the Conquest, it was a virus, smallpox, according to some experts, and measles to others. The native population had no antibodies against these infectious microorganism brought by the Spanish.
impatigo
had to cut my trip short last year bc my 16 mo old broke out with blisters all over her face. I immediatly linked it to the neighbor boy who had blisters outlining his lips at the same time. I freaked out, took the first flight home, and went to doctor in NYC who told me the signs are not herpie like but more impatigo ish. I was relieved after learning the difference btwn the two. However, when i go back to DR, i don't quite know how im going to handle her and her contact with the locals. Take a gigantic bottle of alcohol sanitizer and squirt each hand that touches her? Bath her 24/7? Scary.
had to cut my trip short last year bc my 16 mo old broke out with blisters all over her face. I immediatly linked it to the neighbor boy who had blisters outlining his lips at the same time. I freaked out, took the first flight home, and went to doctor in NYC who told me the signs are not herpie like but more impatigo ish. I was relieved after learning the difference btwn the two. However, when i go back to DR, i don't quite know how im going to handle her and her contact with the locals. Take a gigantic bottle of alcohol sanitizer and squirt each hand that touches her? Bath her 24/7? Scary.
It's impetigo (not 'impatego'). The contact with the locals is not the issue, but basic personal hygiene, and for a child, good supervision of small cuts, scrapes and bites, since small skin lesions are the portals for infection with strep (streptococcus) and staph (staphylococcus) bacteria, which are the cause of impetigo. The condition is not serious though, and rarely the infection complicates...
Thanks for the spelling correction. This is something she caught while down in DR and i didn't realize the thread was regarding only viruses caught by contact with the locals. She was bathed at least once a day down there, sometimes twice if she was dirty at night but next time i go she will be bathed morning and night. The only small cuts would have been bug bites bc they eat her alive every time we go. However, she was outside majority of the time, being touched by all the little kids, handled by neighbors and who knows what they had been into. I learned my lesson. Its hard to tell a neighbor or someone that they can't hold her or play with her, or to say, "when is the last time you washed your hands?" But if it means not having her get that again, i will do it.
I failed history... :bored:
I was thinking it was one of the Staphylococcus infections but it was all a long time ago and with Google to hand, I really should have checked before I posted!
I'm concerned too about infections, after I saw the sewer in PP: a small ditch by the curb.
The natives are resistant to lots of the bacteria and viruses in the region, but the foreigners are in trouble.
The natives are resistant to lots of the bacteria and viruses in the region, but the foreigners are in trouble.
Germs are like neighborhood dogs, they only bark and bite at strangers, and if you don't try to run away from them, they usually leave you alone...
Or...
The natives are exposed to lots of bacteria and viruses in the region and die younger due to poorer health care, but foreigners go home and recover?
For example...
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2091rank.html
Infant mortality rankings DR 88th/221, USA 179th/221, Isle of Man 184th/221, UK 194th/221, Canada 199th/224. Singapore has the 'best'/lowest infant mortality rate 221st/221. In Singapore, spitting or spitting out chewing gum can result in you being arrested and apparently it is spotless. Co-incidence?
Interesting positions for near neighbours, Haiti 35th/221 where as Cuba 181st/221 (which is better than the US).
So I don't think it's simply that 'locals' don't get ill, it's how is it dealt with.
Bacteria and viruses in the immediate environment is an issue, but you should also be concerned about the horrible contaminants, like hexavalent chrome being dumped into the Yaque del Norte River (by Tener?as Berm?dez, closed last week, opened this week), which water is used to irrigate the fruits and vegetables you eat, and is the cause of monstrous DNA mutations and horrific cancers (remember the movie with Julia Roberts as "Erin Brokevitch"?).
I don't think you need worry too much. Living here you either develop immunity or you toughen up. We rarely get ill; last time I even had a bout of gripe was about 3 years ago. Each time I think I'm getting it I dose up on lime juice from the lime tree in the garden and within hours, it's gone. Probably wasn't gripe at all but an allergy to cement dust because of construction nearby. I'm convinced I'm a lot fitter here than I would be if I was living in UK. Perhaps it's that conviction which keeps me healthy?
For those of you who are concerned about becoming infected in the DR, it is good to read up on some infectology. Here's a recent article for starters....
The Invisible Enemy
The Invisible Enemy