Chicago’s thoughtful guide for folks who have disabilities

by Jamie Rhein on

Over this past year, each time I’ve gone to the Columbus Zoo, I’ve looked at the hopefully temporary location of handicapped parking and thought, “This is not very handicapped friendly.” It’s too far from the main gate. By the time a person hoofs it to the main gate, it’s been a hike already. The main gate, to be fair, is going to be located elsewhere once the water park is finished, and the details for connecting the zoo to the new water park are completed. I’m assuming the gate will once more be closer to the parking lot. In the meantime, there’s a bit of a long walk. Possibly, the walk seems long because before the renovations started, handicapped parking was right at the gate.

For anyone who has a disability, or who travels with people who have disabilities–where accessibility to attractions is a concern, Chicago has developed a guide to help folks find the easy places to visit. “Easy Access Chicago” highlights all those spots that are handicapped accessible and provides details about visiting those places.

As people get older, but still have a desire to get out and enjoy travel, this type of guide is a great idea. I hope other cities follow suit if they haven’t already. It seems this guide would be useful for folks packing a stroller as well. You can download the guide at http://easyaccesschicago.org/ or call 1-800-226-6632 to order one. The guide is free.

Rabies: what to do if you’re bitten

by Erik McLaughlin on

Katerina I were enjoying a beautiful afternoon on a Central American beach, swimming and body surfing the day away. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we finished up with a trip for dinner. In the small town near the restaurant, a man had a pet monkey that he was allowing the tourists to take pictures with for a few bucks. Who doesn’t like monkeys? Of course we went to get a picture with the spider monkey on our shoulder.

Unfortunately, the cute little monkey got excited and bit Katerina on the hand. In that instant, many thoughts flashed through my mind — first and foremost: rabies. After a very close inspection of the wound and a thorough cleaning with soap and water, we saw that the skin was not broken. This, combined with a detailed questioning of the monkey’s handler, made me feel much better about the situation.

Some basic knowledge of rabies, including treatment and prevention, is necessary for any traveler who might come into contact with animals. Rabies is a viral disease carried by warm blooded animals. This is primarily a neurological illness that effects the brain. In North America, bats, raccoons, and skunks are most common carriers. Dogs and cats from all corners of the world are also potential carriers.

Transmitted through saliva, often during a bite, the virus ascends the nerves to the brain. Thus, a bite on the leg will take longer to show effects than, say, a bite to the face. The CDC states that exposure to urine, feces or blood of an infected animal does not constitute an exposure. But an infected animal that licks an open wound can transmit the virus. Symptoms of rabies in humans includes weakness, agitation, fever, headache, and itching at the location of the bite are the most common. A few days later, hyperactivity and hallucinations can occur.

Rabies is a killer, literally. There has been at least one case of a person who had documented rabies and survived, without pre or post exposure treatment. Fortunately, there is an effective treatment if given in time. There’s even a vaccine!

If you’re bitten from an unknown animal, a good, aggressive cleansing with soap and water is first. The next step is to obtain the rabies “shots.” This is a combination of HRIG (Human Rabies Immune Globulin) and HDCV (Human Diploid Cell Vaccine). The first is given as soon as possible after the bite, while the latter is given five times over 30 days.

For those at high risk, such as animal handlers, a vaccine exists. A three shot series, given over 28 days, the pre-exposure vaccine still means you need more injections if bitten. A person who has received the rabies vaccine still requires two addition injections if bitten.

There can be a few problems if bitten in a remote or developing area. Some locations use rabies anti-serum made from duck or horse product, which can cause severe reactions in humans. Of course, this is better than no rabies treatment, but riskier than Human Rabies Immune Globulin. In the event of a bite or exposure in a developing area, notify your consulate and ask where you can get HRIG. Some consulates even stock it, themselves. The International Society of Travel Medicine may also be of help locating a clinic.

Having a game plan is key. Bites often occur unexpectedly and in unprovoked circumstances. This is also an unfortunate complication of a curious child who is raised to not be scared of other animals. If bitten, especially by an unknown animal…seek help immediately.

Resources:

CDC Traveler’s Health Rabies

Wear Red Day: Heart disease awareness for women

by Jamie Rhein on

February 1 is National Wear Red Day to heighten the awareness about heart disease in women. After all, it’s their number one killer. The Go Red for Women movement is aiming to help women change their lifestyle habits in order to live better and longer. For people who love to travel, keeping a heart healthy will ensure that globe trotting days last. What works for women also works for men, so men take note.

By wearing red, people are acting as reminders to folks to pay attention to their hearts and the hearts of their loved ones. Of course wearing red won’t prevent heart disease. Eating the right foods and exercising helps–so does not smoking. The Go Red For Women Web site holds loads of information about heart disease prevention and heart care, including a heart check up, so you can see how well your ticker is ticking. If you have experience with heart disease, either your own or someone you love, you can share your story with a video. The how to do a video instructions are listed. After it’s completed, post it at the Web site.

Perhaps you are reading this on February 1 and you’re already out and about– or at work and are not wearing red. You’re decked out in some other color. Here is a red heart to cut out. Run off this page and get a pair of scissors so that you can cut carefully along the outline. Tape the heart to your shirt with tape or pin it on with a straight or safety pin.

Protect yourself from frostbite

by Erik McLaughlin on

On your trip to the slopes for some much needed excitement and adventure, you awake to find fresh powder. Lots of it, too. You begin to head for the runs and realize that in your excitement, you’ve forgotten your gloves. No matter, you think, I have to get out there! A few hours later, your hands begin to blister and get numb. What do you do?

This is a common situation and one that I have seen happen all too much. The condition is frostbite and it can not only slow down your trip, but can cost you your extremities!

This is a condition where the tissues of the body, generally the fingers and toes, begin to actually freeze. This can cause massive damage to the tissue and sever cases, beside being very painful, can require amputation of necrotic (dead) tissue.

There are two conditions to know, frost nip and frostbite. Frostbite is the worst and most severe form, characterized by destroyed tissue and numbness. Blister formation and muscles damage are also common. Frost nip is less severe and does not destroy the tissues.

Treatment for all forms, both frostbite and nip, center around re-warming the effected areas. Remember to treat the person for hypothermia, as well as frost bite. Protect them from the cold environment, remove wet or constricting clothing and keep them warm. Try not to re-warm the extremity with a campfire or tailpipe exhaust, as this may cause burns to the already damaged area. Warm water, 40 C/104 F is the ticket. Immerse the area into the water and have the person try to gently move their fingers or toes. Keep them well hydrated and avoid tobacco and alcohol, which inhibits good circulation. Resist the temptation to break the blisters and do not massage the area, both can damage the already injured skin. Ibuprofen may work well, initially, for pain control, but stronger stuff may be needed. Padding the areas between fingers and toes, with cotton, also helps.

Nobody sets out with a goal to get frostbite. To prevent this, keep your body core and your extremities warm. Stay well hydrated and avoid tight or constricting clothing. Mittens work better than gloves, for cold weather hand protection. Also, on longer trips, avoid over-washing the hands and feet, as this removes the skin’ naturally protective oils.

Keeping your body warm and healthy is the secret to having a good cold weather trip. Remember, bring spares of gloves and warm socks, and try not to get so excited about your trip that your forget them in the hotel.

Looking for danger? Head to Canada

by Aaron Hotfelder on

If I were to make a list of the safest countries on Earth, I’d probably put Canada right at the top. The Australian government, however, doesn’t agree.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is now advising Australian citizens, via its “Smart Traveller” website, to “exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Canada because of the risk of terrorist attack.” Australian officials are also warning travelers to Canada of the risks of earthquakes, tornados, avalanches, and even tsunamis.

The site puts countries into five categories, from “Be alert to own security,” the lowest, to “Do not travel,” which speaks for itself, I think. Despite the warnings of possible terrorist attacks, Canada falls into the second safest category, “Exercise caution,” along with its neighbor to the south. (That’s the US, geography whizzes.)

Countries such as China, Belarus, Latvia, South Korea, and Romania fall into the safest category, while Afghanistan, Burundi, and (no surprise) Iraq are some of those deemed to be the least safe.

All this talk about government-issued travel warnings reminds me of what travel writer Cynthia Barnes once wrote about the U.S. State Department:

“[I]t’s my belief that the State Department is comprised of well-meaning ninnies. Like the father of a luscious 16-year-old, the State Department is happiest when we’re at home.”