Don't leave home without one

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

The T.V. ad says we should never leave home without one. They're right for some countries. But I'd prefer cash and a unique new drinking cup for many other nations of the world. Last week we discussed why some high priority or susceptible travellers should consider using prophylactic antibiotics to prevent Montezuma's revenge, the Hong Kong trots and the Casablanca cruds.

But when there's a 50 per cent chance of developing this malady in some countries it's good insurance to have more than antibiotics in your bag. That's why a relatively unknown "Pentacide cup" is a must for every traveller's bag.

The Pentacide cup is an easy to carry water purifier that has been a travelling companion to some very important people. NASA used this purifier during the space shuttle flights to protect the water supply of the astronauts. The Canadian Mount Everest team used it to guard their health during their assault on the mountain peak. And the U.S. State Department uses the water purifiers for travel and in U.S. foreign embassies .

It's often said that the first line of defence is the best defence. This is why the Pentacide cup makes sense. It's more logical to stop harmful bacteria from entering the body than to use antibiotics to kill them after they've gained a foothold.

The Pentacide cup contains a specially formulated anion exchange resin combined with Pentaiodide. Pentacide purifies the water by devitalizing bacteria and viruses on contact. In addition, Pentacide releases an extremely small amount of iodine into the purified water to prevent any reinfection of the water. The amount of iodine released into the water is extremely small, just 0.5 part per million. It does not present any health hazzard and is not detected by either taste or smell. Pregnant travellers or those with either thyroid disease or allergies to iodine should not use the Pnentacide cup.

The water purifier consists of a top cup and a bottom cup which contains the active iodizer. The traveller simply puts the bottom cup into the top cup, pours the water in and six ounces of water are purified in less than 15 seconds. The cup is made of plastic, weighs 3.5 ounces, is 4 inches high and 3 inches in diameter can purify 100 gallons before it needs replacing.

The Pentacide water container destroys the E. coli germ the one primarily responsible for traveller's diarrhea. But it has other important pluses. It's also been proven effective against Staphylococcus Aureus, Salmonella, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus germs. It also protects against the hepatitis virus and parasitic diseases such as Giardia Lambia, E. Histolytica and Schistosomiasis.

Travellers who are interested in this practical device can write to Water Technologies Corporation , 4601 Platt Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A. 48104.

But remember that the Pentacide cup won't protect you from careless eating habits. So if you've succumbed to the temptation of a street vendor selling icecream, foolishly eaten a outdoor meal that's been covered with flies, lured by shellfish taken from contaminated waters or enticed by salads fertilized by hunan night soil and first pangs of traveller's diarrhea what should you do?

Luckily most cases are mild and are cured by patience and adequate fluids. Dr. Jay Keystone director of the Tropical Disease Unit at the Toronto General Hospital advises the use of soft drinks sweetened with artificial sweetener. The high sugar content (eight teaspoonfuls of sugar in a 10 ounce soft drink) can in itself cause an osmotic diarrhea particularly in children. He says that carbonated drinks are also better tha non-carbonated as they lower the pH which creates a less inducive environment for micro-organisms. But Dr. Keystone recommends "Gastrolite" as the ideal replacement particularly for children with diarrhea.

Should you use lomotil and imodium to cut down the diarrhea? It's not wise if you have severe diarrhea as it's the body's natural reaction to get rid of the offending germ. The end result may be to prolong the agony. But if you have a high fever and bloody stools it's important to take antibiotics such as septra or norfloxacin.

I often receive letters from disabled people asking for information on how they should plan a trip. Regretabbly the world wasn't designed for disabled travellers. Now there's an excellent book written by Cinnie Noble called "Handi-Travel" published by The Canadian Rehabilitation Council For the Disabled, one Yonge Street , Suite 2110, Toronto Ontario M5E 1E5.

W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones

Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod