HEALTH

The pharmacy is located just around the corner from the bakery. It is fairly well stocked with a good supply of bandages, band aids, disinfectants, common medicines, etc. Some prescription medicines, such as penicillin, are available over-the-counter in Venezuela. Adícora's pharmacy doesn't carry ibuprofen (Advil), so you might want to carry some if you prefer it to aspirin. Nor does it carry Bismuth Subsalicylate (aka Pepto Bismol) tablets or liquid, which studies have shown to be the most useful drug for "traveler's diarrhea", both as preventative and treatment (see below). It is a good idea to bring with you any medications that you might like to have on hand, to avoid the hassle of tracking them down.

You can minimize digestive "adjustment" problems by following the guidelines for traveling to any foreign country, especially those less developed. Namely, stick to bottled water and do not eat any thin skinned fruits or vegetables unless they are peeled or very well cooked. Ice can be a source of contamination in an otherwise uncontaminated drink. Mira!, an excellent English language newspaper out of Margarita Island, reports that one tablet of bismuth subsalicylate (the active agent in Pepto Bismol) taken four times per day has been shown to be effective in reducing the chances of contracting "traveler's diarrhea" by more than 50%. You should check with your physician beforehand and note that this regimen should not be followed by pregnant women, breast feeding women, small children, or the aspirin intolerant, and not for more than three weeks by anyone.

You will inevitably pick up some small nicks and cuts while sailing (contact with board, fin, mast foot, etc.). Warm tropical seas are generally not like their cold northern counterparts, in which "the salt water will clean it out." Warm waters teem with microbes that can lead to infection. It's a good idea to splash a little hydrogen peroxide (agua oxigena) or, if you like the sting, some rubbing alcohol on nicks and cuts after coming out of the water, until they are healed. Both are available at the pharmacy. (Look in the counter to your left as you walk in.)

The sun is strong, so bring a bottle of high protection, waterproof sunscreen and use it liberally, especially at first. You'll get plenty of color without having to try too hard, so think about protection, not your tan.

A small medical clinic is located one block north of the pharmacy. Alex Hansman of Windsurfing Adícora has reported excellent service on a number of occasions, ranging from stitches necessitated from an encounter with his skeg to treatment of a nasty venomous bottomfish bite (happened in Amuaycito over by Punta Fijo, not a problem in Adícora). Often, no fee is charged. The clinic is open during the day and is often staffed overnight. Very serious matters should probably be handled in Punta Fijo, where private clinics serve the expatriate community. Private clinics can be expensive and might demand cash up front. Call your health insurance company and ask if they will reimburse you for medical expenses incurred outside of your home country.

Mosquitoes can be pesky in Adícora, particularly at night when you are out of the breeze. It is a good idea to pack a mosquito net, as they are difficult to find in Venezuela. Hang it over your bed if you find the screens in your room inadequate. Repellent and mosquito coils, on the other hand, are easily found around town (in the pharmacy, for example). Mosquito-born diseases such as malaria and yellow fever don't exist on the Peninsula.

If you plan to venture to remote areas of Venezuela, you will want to take added precautions against mosquito-born diseases. An excellent source for the most up-to-date health-related information is the US Center for Disease Control's Travelers' Advisory Program. Information can be found at their homepage on the World Wide Web: "http://www.cdc.gov/travel/travel.html#georec". You should also check with guidebooks covering the region you are visiting (such as Lonely Planet's South America or Venezuela guide). Contact your local travel clinic to receive the appropriate vaccinations.

You might want to consider traveler's insurance as a precaution whenever you go abroad. Ask your travel agent for information on supplemental travel insurance which covers health. The Surf Report monthly newsletter recommends Travel Insurance Int'l in Washington, D.C. (800-821-2828 or 202-347-2027).