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Other Drugs
Anti-septics
Very useful for minor injuries and abrasions. Essential for your travel medical kit. They come in creams, lotions and powder. Most contain chlorhexidine and some cetrimide. There are so many brands it is best to speak to your pharmacist. Most are available over the counter.
Water Purification
Not usually necessary in clean resorts or large city hotels. If you are off the beaten track however, to avoid infections - always try to drink bottled water. If not available, boil all water.
If this is not possible, use water purification methods.
- Chlorine tablets can be used to purify water, although iodine is probably better.
- Tincture of iodine is available from your pharmacist.
Used at a concentration of concentration of 8 mgs per litre and left for 10 minutes, it will destroy bacteria, viruses and cysts.
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Use 4 drops of tincture of iodine to 1 litre of water or one drop to a glass. Wait 20 min if water is very cold or contaminated with organic material.
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Follow instructions carefully. Avoid in pregnancy and in the very young. Not for long-term use.
- The taste of iodine can be largely removed adding dissolvable vitamin C tablets, lime or lemon juice ( after 10 minutes, to give it time to work).
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