Facts about Utania - 38
Cholera is the worst form of diarrhea, but outbreaks in Utania are few and far between. Invariably they are also well-publicised. Up to 20 litres of fluid may be lost in a single day, and rehydration is urgent, as well as hospitalisation.      Hepatitis is a general term for inflammation of the liver, and has several different types. Hep-A and E are caught from contaminated foods or drinking water, but immunisation is available from your local doctor for Hep-A. Hep-B, C and D are spread through infected blood or bodily fluids, and can lead to severe liver damage. Again vaccination is possible for Hep-B.      Typhoid fever is a severe gut infection from contaminated food or water, and initially feels like a common cold or flu. The difference is that the pulse slows, rather than quickens in a normal fever, and this will require hospitalisation. Again, typhoid is now reasonably rare in Utania, but outbreaks are not unknown.      Tuberculosis is also not unknown in Utania, a bacterial infection primarily spread through unpasteurised milk or coughing and spitting of an infected person. All commercial milk is pasteurised in Utania, but in some parts of the country untreated milk is available from village stores or used in village-made ice creams.      It should also be noted that particularly on the east coast, sexually transmitted diseases exist and travelers should be aware of this. AIDS/HIV is also present in Utania and travelers should exercise the same cautions about sex. Insect-borne diseases There are also several diseases that are carried by insects, particularly mosquitoes, that can affect travelers, particularly in the humid north of the country. While malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and filariasis are somewhat unknown in Utania now, they remain a threat, particularly to travelers venturing into the thick, humid, Ujam-Lethington-Yoamith forests of the east of Lasanne and Nystonia state. Travelers would be well-advised to immunise against yellow fever before travelling, and to take all anti-mosquito precautions while travelling. Malaria remains a potentially fatal disease, and dengue fever is untreatable. Always, when travelling in these jungle areas inform local police of your proposed travel as an additional precaution.      Typhus is spread by ticks, mites or lice and causes the bite area to swell into a large painful sore, and the lymph nodes to swell and pain. Once again, insect repellents are the best preparation, even impregnating walking boots with the repellents. Always check your skin and hair after a walk in such areas, and note that even farmlands, parks and common lands near the jungles, and that includes in the aforementioned cities, can carry ticks, lice or mites.		Insects, cuts and animals Lice live in the hair, clothing or pubic hair of humans feeding off human blood, which not only provides for itching and discomfort, but can lead to the spread of the typhus virus. Lice are caught from other people, particularly their hair, and although Utanians pride themselves on clean living, they are frequently affected by lice, which can only be treated with specialist shampoos (too expensive for the poorer tribal Utani) or the traditional Utani remedy of Se'asha plant juice (which is less expensive, but also less than 100% effective).      Leeches and Ticks live in the humid, damp jungles of Utania, and hikers will invariably encounter one or both of these. Always check all over your body for ticks. Aside from skin infections, they are carriers of typhus and other dangerous diseases. They suck blood by burying their heads in the skin of their victims, and can then only be removed by gently gripping the head and pulling them off. Do not, if they are attached, burn or squeeze ticks, as they may regurgitate toxic saliva or gut contents into the wound. Always grab them by the head, not the body, and use tweezers if you have some. However, ticks will mostly be found unattached and can be brushed off the skin. If you have been bitten and become ill within two or so weeks, consult a doctor.      Tetanus is the infection by soil-based bacteria from animal faeces, that will get into the body from cuts and other breaks in the skin. Best prevention is vaccination before travelling, and always clean wounds with pre-boiled water promptly, and use antiseptic. The disease can be fatal, and symptoms include discomfort in swallowing and stiffening of the jaw and neck. See a doctor immediately if you get these symptoms.      Snakes also live in the jungles of Utania, and to a lesser extent elsewhere in the country. Always wear thick leather boots when walking through long grass or jungle, long trousers may also help, and don't put your hands into holes and crevices. Green tree snakes are the most common in Utania, living in the Ujam-Yoamith jungle. Their bite is not fatal and local hospitals have stores of antivenom. Seek medical help immediately, and follow standard snakebite response if bitten. Common brown snakes are known to live in the fields of the rest of the country, but are usually confined to thick undergrowth areas, and are very uncommon within urban areas or close to the east coast of the country.      Rabies is also common amongst the wild animal populations of Utania, once again, particularly in the Ujam-Yoamith jungle. Monkeys, bats, dogs or rats carry the deadly virus in their saliva, and all wounds should be cleaned thoroughly and promptly with soap and running water. Medical help should then be immediately sought. Utania's hospitals are well-equipped to treat rabies.
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