The vacation expected for a whole year brought, in the case of many families who spent the vacation at the seaside, also health problems, enteroviruses being the test of the summer. A family doctor explains what we should absolutely have in our luggage to act quickly.
The holidays of many Romanians were ruined by health problems PHOTO: Pixabay
Many Romanians who spent their holidays on the seaside talk about the fact that in the summer of 2024 they faced digestive symptoms, not particularly serious, but problematic enough to spoil their holiday. Many blamed the problems on the food consumed, but in most cases it was actually viral conditions. Family doctors also confirm that enteroviruses have caused some problems recently, which is why they advise their patients not to forget to pack the medicines that can save them in an emergency, so they don’t have to desperately look for a pharmacy or to find that they need a prescription to be dispensed.
“There have been many broken holidays this year. The cases were not very serious, but not negligible either. These enteroviruses have affected both adults and children,” says family doctor Mihai Ungureanu.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were the most troublesome symptoms. “Most of those who came from the coast came with colds. And indeed, with digestive symptoms, both children and adults. It’s enterovirus,” says the doctor.
Air conditioner use, highly chlorinated pool water, and/or accidental ingestion of very salty seawater, combined with prolonged sun exposure that can lead to sunstroke, were all “ingredients” that led to unwanted problems.
Mineral water, basic ally
Before going on vacation, we should prepare a small emergency kit from which, the doctor says, an anti-diarrheal product, an anti-vomiting drug, rehydration salts, anti-secretory drugs should not be missing. If we face symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, hydration is important, and a good ally could be mineral water, which, unlike plain water, does not aggravate the feeling of vomiting. Moreover, the doctor advises us that if we go abroad and have the possibility to take water with us, to opt for mineral water from Romania, because it is “among the best”. Acidic juices can also be helpful to relieve symptoms of nausea.
To prevent even more serious situations, we can consult with the family doctor to have an antibiotic in the emergency kit, which we may not be able to purchase from the pharmacy in the town where we are on vacation. However, we will use it only after contacting the doctor.
If the symptoms of nausea and vomiting do not decrease in intensity after two days, it is necessary to go to an emergency room, as the risk of dehydration is high, especially for children. Also for children, we should put a beach umbrella in our luggage and not expose them to the sun’s rays during peak hours, but opt for the beach between 8.30 – 10.30 and 16.30 – 18.30.
