Honduras
Health & Medical
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Health
Notes - Honduras
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General Conditions
The central government coordinates the medical establishment. Facilities
are not of a high standard but adequate for emergency use. Hotels
have access to multilingual doctors and medical assistants. Medicines
are in short supply. Fortunately, most illnesses are preventable either
through vaccination, or by taking the necessary precautions against
infection. Travelers should carry insurance, and long-term visitors
should have a policy with evacuation services. All travelers should
visit either a travel health clinic or their personal physician four
to eight weeks before departure for regular vaccinations and any specific
medications needed for travel.
Vaccinations
Required : yellow fever
Suggested : hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus-diphtheria,
measles, chickenpox
Immediate Concerns
- Health risks
Malaria, and travelers' diarrhea, and exposure to: HIV, Chagas
disease, American trypanosomiasis, bartonellosis (Oroya fever),
Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, visceral
and cutaneous leishmaniasis, tick-borne relapsing fever, brucellosis,
paragonimiasis (Oriental lung fluke)
- Food and Water
Do not drink tap water unless boiled or chemically treated, and
avoid drinking anything with ice in it; avoid fruits and vegetables
unless they can be peeled or are pre-cooked; and stay away from
un-pasteurized dairy products, including ice cream. Do not eat
raw or undercooked meat or fish, it may contain harmful poisons
or parasites.
- Insects
Mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies are a common cause of disease
in Honduras.
Medical Precautions
It is important for all travelers to bring medications for malaria
and travelers' diarrhea, along with a personal medical kit complete
with necessary medications, including syringes and a physician's letter
documenting their medical usage. This kit should include extra pairs
of contact lenses and glasses, as well as any specific medications
for travelers' diarrhea, allergies, motion sickness, or other over-the-counter
medication, as supplies are often limited and expensive.
Insect repellents are also recommended, in conjunction
with other measures to prevent insect bites, such as protective clothing,
bed-netting, and DEET-based repellent. For additional protection,
apply permethrin-containing compounds to clothing, shoes, and bed
nets. Avoid contact with stray animals, especially farm animals. If
bitten, clean wound thoroughly with soap and water, and seek medical
attention immediately.
HIV/AIDS is present. Use condoms for all sexual
encounters, and avoid blood transfusions or injections.
Women's Health Issues
Women should pack a personal medical kit to cover a broad range of
personal health requirements, including birth control pills and specific
medications. Note that differences in climate can cause changes in
a woman's pH balance. If prone to bacterial infections, women should
pack any necessary supplies to counteract this problem. Women should
also consider taking extra vitamin, mineral, and food supplements
to ensure optimum physical health. See Women's Health Issues
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Medical
Care - Honduras
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Note : Contact your embassy in Honduras
for a listing of local physicians.
Tegucigalpa
Hospitals
Centro Dental D`Anzo
Centro Comercial Centro America, Segundo
Nivel, Local 24-B
Tel: [504] 239-3328
Los Lomas Medical Center
Edificio Plaza Colprosumah, Boulevard Juan Pablo II
Tel: [504] 239-3417
Fax: [504] 239-3424
Other Medical Services :
Red Cross of Honduras
7a Calle, entre 1a. y 2a. Avenidas
Comayagüela D.C.
Tel: [504] 237-8876, 237-4628, 237-8654, 237-2240, 237-4558
Fax: [504] 238-0185, 237-4558
Email: honducruz@datum.hn
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Global Road Warrior, Copyright 2003 World Trade Press. All
Rights Reserved. No sample or information therein may be used
without express permission from World Trade Press.
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