THE MEDICINE CABINET
STAPH
By Jean Sutherland
mexico4us@yahoo.com

     Have you been feeling under the weather. Headaches, upset tummy maybe even some diarrhea. Just not feeling up to snuff. It comes and goes but never seems like something serious. You may have contracted Hep A, salmonella or typhoid. The symptoms often are present in such a way that one may feel they just have the flu. Major symptoms may include unusually high fever, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
     Last year a large number of people were diagnosed with Hep A (a warning was issued by the Lake Chapala Society) typhoid and salmonella. Salmonella from eggs-one of the most common ways of getting salmonella. If you are going to eat eggs you must be diligent in making sure they are completely cooked. At home your eggs should also be soaked in water with microdyne just as you would your vegetables. The bacteria can exist on the outside of the egg as well as the inside. Salmonella is usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces.
     Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but all foods, including vegetables may become contaminated. Food may also become contaminated by the unwashed hands of an infected food handler.
     Typhoid-You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding S. Typhi or if sewage contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food. Therefore, typhoid fever is more common where hand-washing is less frequent and water is likely to be contaminated with sewage. Get vaccinated against typhoid fever. It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. This is because the vaccines are not completely effective.
     If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it to a rolling boil for one minute before you drink it. Bottled carbonated water is safer than uncarbonated water. Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water. Ask for a straw. Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled. Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very hard to wash well. When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel them yourself. (Wash your hands before and after peeling.) Do not eat the peelings. Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers get sick from food bought from street vendors.
     Hep A- is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A can affect anyone. Hepatitis A can occur in situations ranging from isolated cases of disease to widespread epidemics. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent hepatitis A. Hepatitis A virus is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. This type of transmission is called “fecal-oral.”
     Amebiasis-Although anyone can have this disease, it is most common in people who live in developing countries that have poor sanitary conditions. You can be infected by putting anything into your mouth that has touched the stool of a person who is infected with E. histolytica or swallowing something, such as water or food, that is contaminated with E.
     Parasites-When I went to research parasites I was amazed at the dozens of different types of parasites. This is a subject I have discussed before and I strongly recommend you see your doctor for advice on a good parasite medication and how often you should take it. I take mine every six months.
     One last note. A lot of the above conditions are treated with antibiotics. When taking antibiotics good bacteria is destroyed as well as the bad. It’s important to replace the good bacteria. Whenever I take antibiotics I also get the little bottles of Yokult at the grocery store. This product will help put good bacteria back into your system.