Wilderness and Adventure Medicine
Gastrointestinal disease (including diarrhoea) is very common in wilderness travelers. The vast majority of these diseases are transmitted through contaminated food and water. Several different organisms/pathogens are responsible for water-borne infection including bacteria (E.coli, Shigella, Campylobacter), Viruses (Hepatitis A, Norovirus), Protozoa (Giardia, Crypotosporidia) and occasionally Helminths (worms). Whilst in many cases a trail ultramarathoner will [...]
Fluids Your body’s fluid balance will be placed under considerable stress while hiking in the humid mountain jungle of Papua New Guinea. Risks of dehydration include strenuous exercise, hot climate and illnesses such as diarrhoea. Some blood pressure medications called diuretics can also increase your risk of dehydration. Symptoms include increased thirst, dry mouth, decreaed [...]
Marine Stinger Suits stinger suits work because they are non-organic material not because they provide an impenetrable barrier – does not stimulate tentacles only need to be millimeter thick to be effective if you irritate a box jellyfish with an electric shock itWeill sting you through a stinger suit! (not recommended) The Role of Vinegar [...]
Irukandji is increasingly common – normal habitat is moving south – increasingly frequent sightings as far south as Fraser Island Clinical presentation Distressed and agitated – catecholamine storm – severe pain Often no visible signs of sting – no welts / weals Frequently latent period of 30 minutes before symptoms develop – may not immediately [...]
A few pearls from Drs Jamie Seymour and Mark Little: Box Jellyfish The box jellyfish depends on the reef for its life cycle so it is not moving into southern waters like some other jellyfish The release of box jellyfish from the reef can be linked to daylight hours – not related to weather / water temperature etc The [...]
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