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Study Abroad
Keeping students healthy throughout the experience
Lisa Trujillo, MS, RRT
Study Abroad Locations
United States
Central America
South
America
European
Countries
China
Africa
Japan
Basic First Aid
 Lacerations
 Bleeding
 Protect yourself FIRST!
 Infection control
 Sprains – Soft Tissue Injuries
 Ice – 20 min at a time, 30 min between, not directly on skin
 Support – splint or brace, elastic bandage wrap – not too
tight
 Rest – elevation will help reduce swelling
 Anti-inflammatory medication
 Fractures
 Splint, ice, support, elevate
 Medical care
First Aid Kit
 Kit should include:
 *CPR mouth shield
 *Exam gloves
 *Cold pack
 Alcohol wipes and antiseptic hand cleaner
 Gauze, bandages and adhesive tape
 Insect repellant/bite treatment
 Antibiotic ointment/hydrogen peroxide
 Pain killer – acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen
 *For Program Directors
Physical Illnesses
 Dehydration
 Causes
 Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, sweating, lack of fluid
intake, hot weather
 Symptoms
 Dry mouth, sleepiness, thirst, decreased urine output,
dry skin, headache, constipation, dizziness or
lightheadedness
 Extreme symptoms include lack of sweating, sunken
eyes, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, fever, dry skin
that lacks elasticity
 Treatment
 Oral rehydration with water or sports drinks
that contain electrolytes
Physical Illnesses (cont.)
 Altitude Sickness
 Acute mountain sickness – most common
 20% of people experience mild symptoms between 6300 and 9700 feet
 Dizziness, headache, nausea, difficulty sleeping
 2-3 days to resolve – may consider dropping elevation until symptoms
subside
 Faster and higher climb = greater risk of illness
 High-altitude pulmonary edema
 Rarely occurs below 10,000 feet
 Includes difficulty breathing, tightness in chest,
fatigue and coughing
 Requires prompt medical attention
 High-altitude cerebral edema
 Mostly occurs above 10,000 feet
 Includes confusion, difficulty with balance and
coordination, and hallucinations
 Medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention
Changes in Diet
 Can lead to change in GI function
 Diarrhea
 Constipation
 Food allergies
 Vegetarian
Food Borne Illnesses
 Gastrointestinal Illnesses
 Diarrhea
 Nausea/Vomiting
Mental Health
 New experiences for many students
 Culture shock
 Emotional experiences
 Extremes of any kind
 Debriefing on a daily basis recommended
 Journaling
 Contact with family where possible
 Know about pre-existing mental health
concerns
Jet Lag
 Problems it may cause
 Activity delay
 Reduced coping ability
 Decreased resistance to illness
 How to prevent or limit effects
 Sleep aids
 OTC
 Rx
 No napping during the day
Tropical Diseases
 Malaria – Mosquito-borne parasite
 Endemic to many countries
 (Subsaharan Africa, India, Haiti)
 Can be fatal
 Be sure you are recommending the proper antimalarial medication
 Some prophylactic antimalarial meds are ineffective on resistant
strains of malaria
 Signs and symptoms
 Moderate to severe shaking chills
 High fever
 Profuse sweating a body temp falls
 Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
 Prevention – Anti-malarial medication, mosquito repellant, long
sleeves in evenings, bed nets and avoiding areas with standing
water
Tropical Diseases (cont.)
 Dengue Fever – Mosquito-borne virus
 Endemic to Southeast Asia and Western Pacific Islands
but can occur in Latin America and the Caribbean
 Cases may range from mild to severe hemorrhagic fever
 Signs and symptoms
 Fever up to 106 F (41 C)
 Headaches, muscle and joint pain,
pain behind the eyes
 Widespread rash, nausea and vomiting,
minor bleeding mouth of mouth and nose
 No specific treatment (virus)
 Hydration, pain and fever reducers, - avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and
naproxen
 Prevention is encouraged through mosquito repellant and
protective clothing
OTC Meds
 Medications to consider
 Imodium
 Pepto Bismol
 Anti-nausea meds
 Stool softeners
 Cold medicine – Nyquil/Dayquil
 Allergy medications
 Ibuprofen / Acetaminophen
 Sleep aid – Melatonin, Nytol, etc.
 Vitamins
 Electrolyte supplements – drink mix
 Students should discuss any new medication,
even OTC meds, with their physician.
Rx Meds
 Medications to consider
 Lomotil – stops peristalsis in the GI tract
 Ciproflaxin – broad spectrum antibiotic for GI
bacteria
 Zofran – anti-nausea
 Ambien – sleep aid
 Levaquin – upper respiratory infection
 Mefloquine – antimalarial for chloroquine resistant
areas
 Prescription medications may be suggested to
students depending on the travel destination
and risk of illness
 Travelers must keep meds in the original
packaging
 Prescription meds are only to be used by the
patient they are prescribed to
Hospitals and Medical
Facilities
 Know where medical facilities are in your area
 What are the medical response procedures
 911…??
 How to call for help
 Travel Insurance vs. Trip Insurance
 Trip costs
 Medical expenses
 Some hospitals will require payment then
reimbursement is provided by insurance
company
Questions…??