In praise of the magic tablet

Published Feb 22, 2014

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Johannesburg - The most important thing when covering Africa, said Argus Africa News Service bureau chief Dave Thomas as he lit his pipe on a bright Harare morning, was not that you had the company lawyer’s telephone number handy.

That may work in Joburg, but means nothing in Lusaka. There’s not a lot you can do when the cops, the army or the spooks decide they’re going to lock you up (or worse) as a ‘spy for the Boers’.

Then, it’s really down to charm (whether you have enough) – but more often just to dumb luck. More people have died, been beaten or tortured in Africa because they happened to run up against a cop, a soldier or a warlord with a hangover, than have actually been plotting evil deeds.

As I, rookie “foreign correspondent”, looked on, Dave puffed on the pipe, and with a flourish, produced “the most important thing you need in Africa…”

A small box of tablets, labelled Imodium.

His revelation struck a chord because, I had once, on patrol in the army, made the classic mistake: this water looks clear, it must be okay. A day later, lying on the Devil’s anvil, with my life pouring out of both ends, and regarding my rifle as a bizarre ornament, I wished the enemy would mortar us… anything to end the agony.

Dave’s lesson is one I’ve never forgotten and the little tablets have been part of my travelling first aid kit ever since.

Interestingly, in my various swans across Africa, I was never really struck down with the Congo Curse. On occasion, I managed to survive as long as seven days in “hostile country” with no ill effects, only to return home and be blitzed… perhaps because it’s the change which does you in.

When it comes to health travelling abroad, a lot of it comes down to luck, just as it did as a foreign correspondent in Africa. But, you can certainly try and make your own luck – or at least reduce the odds – by being prepared.

Something like Imodium should be an non-negotiable in your medical pack. Even if the water is not tainted, the chances are good that your South African stomach will not adjust well to the local water.

It has certainly helped me: on a trip to Italy, in the 38ºC heat of summer, I replenished my water bottle from the taps at the hotel. A few hours later – man down. And Imodium to the rescue. After a terrible night, I was able to gingerly venture out the next day and continue exploring.

Often diarrhoea is accompanied by awful cramps… anti-spasmodic medicines are something to consider. I find Buscopan provides quick and effective relief… and allows you to sleep. Which is important, because there is nothing worse than lying awake, in agony, in a foreign hotel, contemplating how many anorexic rands you have handed over… only to suffer.

Pain relief, it goes without saying, is important. I like to take Nurofen and Miprodol, which serve the dual purpose of being analgesics (pain relievers) as well as anti-inflammatories.

And, do not under-estimate the importance of anti-inflammatories: on tours in Europe, for example, you’re going to walk a lot more than you’re used to… and things are going to be sore in the evenings.

Talking about walking: take a box of plasters… nothing worse than doing said walking and ending up with blisters. I sometimes take a small jar of Vaseline if I am on a trip where I know I am going to have to opportunity to run – and Vaseline is the best way to beat chafing. Added bonus: it also helps chapped lips.

A good tip is to visit your GP before you leave and get a script for a broad-spectrum antibiotic like Augmentin, just in case you are struck down by something. However, our local pharmacist told my wife last year, before she went on a school tour to Europe, that you would do just as much good by building up your defence in advance by taking a course of something like Viral Choice before you leave.

But definitely chat to a GP or pharmacist before you go.

I think that anyone taking “hangover protection” tablets when they leave on a foreign trip deserves any physical and social abuse they get. Why waste your money on booze, which almost everywhere is over-priced? If you do drink too much, deal with it and suffer.

Sunscreen is much more sensible. It’s an obvious selection when heading for tropical climes, but depending on the season in Europe and the US, I would also slip in a bottle. You’d be surprised how much you can burn through overcast and cloud – and from reflected glare off things like snow slopes. And let’s not forget about wind, which can roast skin. Sunscreen also serves as a moisturiser if you don’t have one with you.

There are some people who take eyedrops with them. But I am not one of them. An optician once told me that putting drops in your eyes only provides a temporary solution and they dry out anyway. More sensible is not to forget sunglasses if you have sensitive eyes and, if you’re going anywhere where there’s snow, they are mandatory.

If you are on a cruise ship and are not used to travelling on the ocean waves, get some motion sickness medication from your doctor before you leave. You will be able to get tablets on the boat, but if you have a severe attack, you will have to consult the ship’s doctor… and that could cost a fortune.

 

Of course, the sensible thing is also to take out medical insurance, because if anything goes wrong in a health sense, it will cost you an arm and a leg to get treatment outside South Africa.

But… trust me on the Imodium. - Saturday Star

l What do you take in your first-aid bag when you travel? Drop me a line – [email protected]

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