immune system

Certain holiday destinations have seen a rise in cases of a nasty infection

British travellers have been issued a food warning amid an outbreak of a bug that causes “explosive” diarrhoea. Mexico and the US are among some of the holiday destinations that have seen a rise in cyclosporiasis.

Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora. This is typically spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with human faeces containing the parasite.

Symptoms can include “watery diarrhoea” and “explosive bowel movements”, and can last several weeks. In an update provided on its website, Travel Health Pro explained that “most” UK cases have been linked to visits to Mexico.

It said: “Cyclospora is a parasite found in some tropical and subtropical countries. In the UK, infections are most commonly linked to summer travel abroad.

“Cyclospora has been found in Central and South America, South and Southeast Asia, and most UK travel-related cases and outbreaks have been associated with visits to Mexico.”

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recently published data showing there had been 843 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the US between May 1 and July 9 this year. No deaths have been reported, and 86 people were admitted to hospital, the CDC said.

As part of its advice, Travel Health Pro provided guidance on eating while abroad. It said: “People usually become infected by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with human faeces. Foods most commonly linked to Cyclospora include fresh produce such as soft or unpeeled fruit, lettuce, green salads and herbs like coriander or basil.”

It continued: “You can reduce your risk of Cyclospora infection by following good food and water hygiene, even if you are staying in a luxury hotel or high-end all-inclusive resort.” To do so it said you should:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water; use alcohol hand gel only when handwashing is not possible
• Where there is no clean water supply, drink only bottled or boiled tap water (this includes brushing your teeth)
• Avoid ice in drinks
• Avoid fresh produce that may not have been washed with bottled or boiled water, including berries, salads, vegetables and herbs like basil or coriander
• Choose fruit that you can peel yourself, such as bananas and oranges
• Eat food that has been freshly cooked and is served hot
• Remember that smoothies, juices and other drinks may contain raw fruit, herbs or vegetables

Symptoms

Travel Health Pro said: “Not everyone infected with Cyclospora will become ill. If you do get symptoms, they will usually start about a week after consuming contaminated food or drinks.”

Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis include:

• Watery diarrhoea
• Fever
• Stomach cramps
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Tiredness and muscle pain
• Bloating and excess wind
• Feeling sick

It said: “Cyclospora infections are usually mild and resolve themselves. However, symptoms can sometimes last for several weeks and return even after a person seems to have recovered. People with a weakened immune system, including those living with HIV, may be at greater risk of severe illness.”

The CDC added: “Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhoea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”

When to seek help

Travel Health Pro says you should do the following if you become ill abroad:

• Drink plenty of “safe” fluids, such as bottled water, or tap water that has been thoroughly boiled and cooled
• Use oral rehydration solutions so that you do not become dehydrated
• Get early medical advice if you have a weakened immune system or are at higher risk of complications
• Seek medical help if your symptoms are severe or do not improve

If you are back in the UK, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have diarrhoea and you’ve recently travelled abroad and:

• The diarrhoea is severe and has lasted for more than three days
• You have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from your bottom
• You have a high temperature (fever)
• You are dehydrated
• You have a weakened immune system or other condition

The NHS said: “If you’re still abroad, get medical advice where you are as soon as possible.”

The decision of where to sit on a plane could impact the rest of your holiday

As millions of Brits gear up to jet off on their summer holidays, one decision that many may have overlooked could make or break their entire trip. Choosing the right seat on the plane might be the difference between relaxing on a sun-soaked beach or making endless trips to the toilet.

Research has revealed that whether passengers opt for a window, middle, or aisle seat could potentially affect their chances of catching a viral infection before the holiday has even got underway. However, your seat selection alone won’t be the sole factor determining your overall risk of falling ill.

How close you are to someone carrying a virus is the single biggest indicator of how likely you are to pick up an infection. This is followed by how busy the flight is, as the greater the number of passengers on board, the higher the likelihood that some will be carrying viruses.

Airflow throughout the cabin, passenger movement, contact with shared surfaces (such as in the bathroom) and whether or not you wear a mask will all have a bearing on your risk of catching a viral infection during a flight.

Dr Sophie Dix, Head of Medical Affairs at online pharmacy MedExpress, has offered guidance on how travellers can lower their risk of falling ill while flying, including advice on where to sit. She said: “Although there is no guaranteed way to avoid picking up an illness while flying, there are practical steps people can take to reduce their exposure to germs and viruses on planes.”

She shared her top tips for travellers looking to lower their chances of picking up an infection. Here’s what she advised.

Seat selection matters

“The best advice to avoid getting sick on the plane is to try and reduce as much contact with germs and other passengers as possible, so choosing where you sit may have more impact than you might have originally thought.

“Window seats are a great option as they are often far away from high traffic areas such as bathrooms and busy walkways. Aisle seats also increase your exposure to people who frequently pass by throughout the flight, queue for the toilet, and access luggage from overhead compartments. One study found that sitting in a window seat can reduce your interactions with other passengers or crew by up to five times compared to if you sit in a middle or aisle seat.”

She added: “Additionally, research may suggest that leaving the middle aisle free reduces the spread of airborne diseases by 37%, so choosing seats that appear to have middle aisles empty could be a strong choice. Whilst protection from illness is never guaranteed, this highlights that creating distance between other passengers greatly reduces your chances of getting sick.”

Wipe down any surfaces

“Surfaces such as tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles, touchscreens, magazines and window shutters can harbour germs easily as they are used so frequently by previous passengers. Wiping down surfaces with disinfectant wipes or sanitiser greatly reduces your risk of coming into contact with germs on them.

Wash your hands regularly

“Maintaining good hygiene standards while travelling can greatly reduce your chances of getting sick. Washing your hands regularly with soapy water or hand sanitiser, especially after coming into contact with surfaces, is a simple but effective way to stop the spread of germs while you’re on the plane.

Stay hydrated

“Cabin air on planes can be extremely dry and irritate your nose and throat whilst travelling, leaving you feeling more run down and vulnerable to picking up any viral infections. Make sure to drink plenty of water and keep on top of hydration throughout the flight to strengthen your immune system. Keep water easily accessible throughout the flight, and drink regularly, especially if you’re travelling with children.

Wear a face mask

“Wearing a face mask greatly reduces the spread of any airborne viruses, as we saw throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Crowded flights may become a hotspot for any infections due to the cramped space and close proximity to other passengers, so taking preventative measures may help reduce the spread of any current infections.

Ensure you’re well rested

“Those who don’t get adequate rest before a flight are over 4 times more likely to catch a cold compared to those who are fully rested. This is due to your immune system being weaker when you haven’t got enough sleep, making you more susceptible to picking up any infections.

CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications, according to a statement released by his family.

Dakota Hunter, vice president of Kyle Busch Companies, said in a news release the family received the medical evaluation on Saturday.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR champion, died at 41 on Thursday, a day after passing out in a Chevrolet simulator.

Sepsis is considered a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an extreme, overactive response to an infection, causing the immune system to damage its own tissues and organs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Typically the immune system releases chemicals to fight off pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or fungi, but with sepsis the response goes into overdrive. The results can cause widespread inflammation, form microscopic blood clots and make blood vessels leak.

Busch was thought to have had a sinus cold while racing at Watkins Glen on May 10 and radioed in to his team saying that he needed a “shot” from a doctor after the race.

However, he bounced back to win the Trucks Series race at Dover last weekend, and then he finished 17th in the All-Star race on Sunday.

Busch, who was preparing to race Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

During the emergency call placed late that afternoon, an unidentified caller calmly told the dispatch: “I’ve got an individual that’s (got) shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”

The caller said Busch was lying on the bathroom floor inside the complex and told dispatch “he is awake,” according to audio provided by the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office. The man then gave directions on where emergency responders should go and asked that they turn off any sirens upon arrival.

NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski said he knew Busch wasn’t feeling well recently.

“Yes, but I won’t go into any specifics,” Keselowski said. “But then when he ran the Truck race last week, those (thoughts) were honestly kind of erased in my mind.”

Keselowski said running multiple races on the same weekend can be difficult on a driver’s health — but most don’t want to miss a race for fear of being replaced.

“There’s no shortage of drivers that would love to take my seat or anybody else’s seat if we weren’t feeling well, and I think every driver feels that pressure,” Keselowski said. “All athletes do. It’s not unique to NASCAR in that sense. We’re all thinking to ourselves, ‘I don’t wanna be replaced.’ … So you try to power through it the best you can.”

Busch won 234 races across NASCAR’s top three series over his two-decade career, more than any driver in history.

All 39 drivers in the field for Sunday’s race will race with a black No. 8 decal on their car to honor Busch.

Reed writes for the Associated Press.

People visiting these islands could be at risk of high UV levels

People have been urged to take certain precautions as the ultraviolet radiation risk at a popular holiday destination area has been raised to “extreme”. Health officials in the Canary Islands have elevated the UV risk across several of the islands.

According to the Canary Islands Health Department, UV radiation levels are presently classified as “very high” across all islands. And Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria have reached the highest “extreme” warning category.

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to serious health complications, including DNA damage, severe sunburn, allergic skin reactions, eye conditions and a heightened risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. Health experts also caution that UV exposure can suppress the immune system and even trigger the reactivation of viruses such as cold sores.

The alert particularly impacts those who spend lengthy periods outdoors, whether for work or leisure, as well as individuals with fair skin, light eyes or a family history of skin cancer. Children and older adults are also regarded as especially at risk.

As reported by Canarian Weekly on May 21, health authorities are strongly advising people to avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 5pm wherever possible, seek out shaded areas and wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and approved sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection. The application of SPF 50 sunscreen is highly recommended, even on overcast days.

Authorities also issued a reminder to parents that babies under one year old should never be exposed directly to sunlight, as their skin is particularly sensitive and incompatible with most sun creams. The Canary Islands consistently record some of the highest UV radiation levels across Spain throughout the year, owing to their geographical position and climate.

How to apply sunscreen

The NHS warns that most people do not apply enough sunscreen. As a guide, adults should aim to apply around six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if you’re covering your entire body.

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If sunscreen is applied “too thinly”, the amount of protection it gives is reduced. If you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, sunscreen needs to be applied twice:

• 30 minutes before going out
• Just before going out

Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

This includes applying it straight after you have been in water, even if it’s “water resistant”, and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off. It’s also recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin.

Further to this, the NHS recommends you should do the following to stay safe in the sun:

• Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
• Never burn
• Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
• Take extra care with children
• Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight
• Use at least factor 30 sunscreen – make sure to use enough and re-apply frequently