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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Falling ill on vacation: this is the fear of many people. Faced with this eventuality, the destinations are not all equal. Here are the top 5 vacation spots where you are most at risk of getting sick.
When you go on vacation, what you fear the most is being bedridden because of diarrhea, which is also called tourista or traveler’s diarrhea. Sometimes it passes quickly, but you can also be sick for several days and that undoubtedly spoils the holidays.
Where are the most ill destinations?
The Forbes Advisor site took an interest in the question by analyzing messages published on travel forums. More than two million have been analyzed and the use of particular keywords, such as “E.Coli”, “salmonella”, “gastroenteritis” or “food poisoning” have been identified.
By linking the number of times this type of word appeared to the destination, the site was able to establish a ranking of the most dangerous destinations for one’s health, with a number of points awarded out of 100.
Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, on the first step of the podium
The first destination, which obtains a score of 90.4 points, is the Dominican Republic and the city of Punta Cana. Indeed, according to the analysis, one in ten travelers fell ill there. It is therefore strongly advised not to drink tap water there.
In second place is the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh. According to the study, 11% of travelers complain of having had a food poisoningFor example.
On the third step of the podium is the Island of Sal in Cape Verde. In the general classification, the island obtains a score of 70.6. More than 11% of travelers have caught a pathology there.
Finally, in fourth and fifth position are two cities in Mexico, Playa del Carmen and Cabo San Lucas.
Benidorm, Spain tops the European rankings
The Forbes ranking also makes it possible to determine the cities most at risk at European level. We note that the first European city is Benidorm in Spain with 26.4 points out of 100. Then comes the city of London. Paris, meanwhile, is in fourth place…
What precautions should I take before traveling?
Several precautions must be taken before going on vacation and this begins during the preparations. “You have to remember to take some basic medicines with you” advises Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and director of Doctissimo. Bring in your suitcases a kit with some essential medicines, such as paracetamol, an antidiarrheal, an antispasmodic against stomach pains… You can add disinfectant and dressings, for example, in the event of a small wound.
Once there, watch what you eat and drink!
Once there, watch what you eat or drink. “Be careful never to drink tap water, but also be careful with ice cubes which are often made from tap water” adds the emergency doctor.
Among the other precautions, wash fruits and vegetables well, wash your hands properly (and regularly), or use hydroalcoholic gel if not. “In case of diarrhea, you should rather let things happen by paying attention to your hydration. It is possible to use rehydration solutions. No need to take antibiotics, neither before nor after. And in case of signs of aggravation, such as bloody diarrhea, high fever or excessive dehydration, it is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor because this can hide another pathology, such as malaria, for example. concludes the specialist.