I was reminded of this just a few days ago. No, not on a camping trip or even in the wilds. It was, nonetheless, a good reminder to review my medical supplies. This is not the sexy side of wilderness medicine. What attracts most of us to the austere or wilderness medical setting is the…
Category: travel medicine
What’s in a Name: Docwilderness
Why use the name Docwilderness for your blog? You don’t just write about the woods or camping, after all. In general, I answer that there is so much wilderness around us; why should I restrict what I write or talk about to just one area of the proverbial forest? More specifically, Webster’s dictionary defines wilderness…
Yellow Fever: Is Once a Lifetime Enough?
A recent article in the Journal Lancet, Long-term immunity against yellow fever in children vaccinated during infancy: a longitudinal cohort study, calls into question the 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) decision that a single dose of Yellow Fever vaccine is required for life-long immunity. Until 2013, the requirement was for a dose every 10 years…
The Traveller’s Scurge: Traveller’s Diarrhea
As an adjunct to my upcoming podcast this Saturday, I am reposting this article from a few months ago. In this post I want to expand on what I wrote in prior blog concerning being prepared for an upcoming adventure. While Traveller’s Diarrhea was mentioned there briefly, there is so much more that the truly…
Altitude: It May Not be as High as You Think
For many, the thought of going “to altitude” brings images of Mt. Everest or similar mountaineering peaks. Physiologically, however, nothing could be further from the truth. Depending upon susceptibility, humans can begin to experience symptoms of altitude illness as low as 1500 meters above sea level. The chances increase after 6,500 feet and further still…
Hydration and Rehydration
Hydration aka water…essential for life. We take for granted this vital substance which we cannot live without. In much of the world, however, clean drinking water is a luxury. In a previous post, I have discussed how to make this water safe to drink. In this post, I want to examine what you might be…
Planning an Adventure?
Now is the time of year that many start thinking about or planning for their next adventure. This may be a short trip to a neighboring state or a 12 hour plane ride away. Either way, be sure to do your homework prior to heading out the door. It can save you a lot of…
The Traveller’s Scurge: Traveller’s Diarrhea
In this post I want to expand on what I wrote in prior blog concerning being prepared for an upcoming adventure. While Traveller’s Diarrhea was mentioned there briefly, there is so much more that the truly prepared adventurer needs to know. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the organisms and regions in which you…