Long weekend: post-travel fever symptoms and health checks you should perform

The long weekend is approaching and travel enthusiasts have already planned their short trips to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy time with friends and family. However, it is also the monsoon season, when it rains everywhere and the heat and humidity levels are high – the perfect season for the breeding of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi.

According to statistics, there is a 340 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for accommodation on Airbnb during the long weekends of Diwali and Raksha Bandhan. “However, the excitement of the trip gets deflated when many people, especially children and the elderly, return home with undesirable health conditions,” Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth, chief pathologist, Redcliffe Labs, told Times Now. And so, to add a happy ending to the trip, it is crucial to stay healthy and take appropriate measures for any symptoms.

Post-travel illnesses are common and addressing them quickly can help prevent serious complications.

Post-travel symptoms you should not avoid

According to Dr. Seth, some symptoms that you may have contracted due to the different climates or hygiene standards during your long weekend trip would need proper treatment. “Self-medicating without proper health checks and consulting a doctor can lead to prolonged illness and further worsening of health problems,” he said.

Persistent fever

If you have had a high fever for 48 hours or a recurring fever, it is clearly something you should pay attention to and is often the first sign of an underlying infection. The infection can be viral, bacterial or parasitic, acquired during your travels.

Body aches and chills.

Tiredness and fatigue are two different things, and that’s OK if adventure activities, hiking and other physical exertion are part of your trip. “If a relaxing trip is followed by muscle aches and chills, which are then accompanied by fever, it’s a sign that your body is fighting off an infection,” said Dr. Seth.

Gastrointestinal problems

In addition to physical activity levels and temperature differences, your diet is significantly affected during a trip. However, if you experience unwanted symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps, chances are you have consumed contaminated food or water.

Weakness

A little tiredness is okay after a long trip with lack of sleep and overexertion, but feeling unusually tired or weak after resting after returning home can be a sign that your body is dealing with an infection or adjusting to a change in environment. Ignoring fatigue or weakness is not recommended.

Respiratory infections

A cold, cough, sore throat, flu, or shortness of breath due to temperature changes does not last long. However, prolonged symptoms suggest a respiratory infection, which can be contracted in crowded places such as airports or tourist spots. The condition requires immediate attention if it is followed by fever.

Monsoon season brings with it many health issues, especially infections like dengue, malaria, typhoid and chikungunya. It is advised to travel with some extra precautions in this season and not to ignore any symptoms. It is highly recommended to get a medical checkup based on the symptoms to get personalized treatment and avoid serious health complications.

Health check-ups you should do

If you experience any of the unwanted symptoms after returning from a trip, you should go to:

Complete blood count

This simple blood test detects infections, anemia, and other conditions that could explain your symptoms. You may perform a simple blood count or a full-body exam to assess all your vital signs.

Malaria test

If you have traveled to a place where malaria is prevalent and have fever or respiratory problems, it is essential to get a malaria test to rule out this mosquito-borne disease.

Typhoid fever test

Typhoid fever is common in regions with poor sanitary conditions or if you are near unhygienic places. In such a condition, it is recommended to perform a blood culture to confirm it and start a personalized treatment. Opting for a paracetamol at random and not consulting a doctor can further worsen your health condition.

Dengue test

Dengue is a risk in India, especially during and after the monsoon season. Also, there is a significant increase in the number of reported cases due to the spread of the Aedes mosquito vector to new geographical locations due to global warming. Also, there is a lack of targeted surveillance, especially in rural areas. Therefore, it is recommended to get a dengue test done if you have high fever and severe body pain.

good test

To detect gastrointestinal symptoms and to identify other problems, a stool analysis is recommended. This analysis can evaluate different microbes present in the intestine that could be causing the discomfort.

If you have diabetes and have increased your sugar intake or missed a dose, remember to monitor and manage your blood sugar levels to avoid unwanted consequences.