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Medical
Information
1. Medication:
If needed, bring prescription medication in the original container or
have a written prescription from your physician. This is especially
necessary when you come back in the U.S.
2. Vaccinations:
If possible, get a Hepatitis A vaccine at least two weeks before travel
date. It is covered by most insurance plans. SHSU Health Center has
some doses of the vaccine.
3. Eye wear:
Take along an extra pair of glasses and sufficient pairs of contacts.
Bring sunglasses.
4. Identification:
If you are on an insurance plan, bring a copy of your card and a list
of your physician, his/her address, phone number and Fax if possible.
5. Stomach problems:
GI upset is frequently experienced. Usually causes nausea /vomiting
and often diarrhea.
The best treatment is avoidance of contaminated water and water based
products (ice, lemonade, teas). Otherwise treat symptoms with Pepto-Bismol
as needed and Gatorade type products, ginger ale, Sidral or Sprite.
(Note: Pepto-Bismol may cause the tongue to turn dark color while using
product.) Eat chicken soup (caldo de pollo) at the hotel (or with family);
crackers, toast, bananas, applesauce, rice, until symptoms completely
stop. Avoid hamburgers. (Ice is all right at the hotel, at homes and
at good restaurants, but don't eat ice products on the street.)
6. Dust/smoke/ allergy symptoms:
Take an antihistamine or a decongestant; ask your doctor what you should
bring with you to Mexico for this. Even though we are there in the rainy
season, Puebla has a dry climate because of the high altitude, and this
can provoke coughs and runny noses.
7. Blisters:
Both from too much sun (high altitude burns) and also on the feet from
walking with poorly fitted shoes. Use sunscreen. Don't forget your walking
shoes.
8. Alcohol:
Not worth the trouble it can cause.
9. If you smoke,
be considerate and respectful of non-smoking participants: don't smoke
around them.
10. Motion sickness:
Get Dramamine at a pharmacy in Puebla.
11. Antibiotics:
Don't take too many .
12. Headaches:
Usually caused by altitude and/or lack of water. Treat with fluids and
then Tylenol or ibuprofen.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR:
A. if fever is 103 F (39.5 C) for two days (does not respond to Tylenol
or Ibuprofen)
B. if diarrhea persists for more than 3 days.
If you decide that you want to see a doctor, ask the hotel desk or the
family to call the following doctor:
Dr. Jesús Morales Daza: 237-5118
243-3096
Digita Beep: 246-3120
246-33-78
Cleve 141146-30-88 y 46-32-26
Dr. Morales will expect you to pay him about $30 dollars at the time
of the visit. Only two students have been hospitalized. Dr. Morales
took each to the Haro y Tamariz hospital on 7 Poniente near 7 Sur. Both
had excellent care there and they paid with their credit cards. Ask
for receipts and when you return to the US, you can try to get reimbursement
from your insurance company.
For more information, contact
Dr. Frieda Koeninger
SHSU Puebla Field School
Dept. of Foreign Languages
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Tx 77341-2147
Office: Evans 308
tel (936) 294-1443
e-mail: fol_fck@shsu.edu
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