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Hey there,
Beach towel? Check. Passport? Check. Uninvited intestinal hitchhiker? Let’s not.
Summer travel feeds the soul—and, sometimes, parasites. One mango lassi in Mumbai or barefoot stroll in Tulum can leave you hosting unwanted guests, no matter how first-world your home base.
Here’s the no-panic, pro-level guide to spotting the risks and dodging the bugs.
Parasites on Standby
They’re small, stealthy, and love a good vacation. Watch for:
Street food in the sun. That salad rinsed in tap water or ceviche marinating in 90 °F shade? Paradise for Giardia and friends. Stick to sizzling-hot dishes or peel-it-yourself fruit—if it’s raw and room-temp, swipe left.
Ice-cubes. They look innocent, but can carry cysts. Ask for drinks sin hielo or bring your own bottle.
Bare feet in beach sand. Hookworms love toes. Wear flip-flops, towel your yoga mat, and rinse off before dinner.
Sketchy sushi. Some tropical fish carry Anisakis or Gnathostoma larvae that survive sloppy flash-freezing. Choose reputable spots that deep-freeze properly—or go grilled until you’re back home.
Biting bugs. Mosquitoes (malaria, dengue), sandflies, and kissing bugs aren’t just annoying—they carry serious stuff. Pack DEET, permethrin, and sleep under nets or in AC.
Top Hotspots
🇲🇽 Mexico & Central America
Common culprits: Giardia, hookworm, tapeworms, amoebas
Risks: Street food, untreated water, warm coastal sand
🇮🇳 India & Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia)
Common culprits: Entamoeba histolytica, roundworms, typhoid-associated pathogens
Risks: Unpeeled produce, ice cubes, temple floors, train station snacks
🇧🇷 South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia)
Common culprits: Chagas disease (kissing bugs), leishmaniasis, liver flukes
Risks: Rural villages, Amazon travel, insect exposure
🌍 Sub-Saharan Africa
Common culprits: Malaria, schistosomiasis, strongyloides
Risks: Freshwater swimming, bug bites, undercooked meats
🇩🇴 Caribbean (Dominican Republic, Haiti, etc.)
Common culprits: Mosquito-borne viruses (dengue, chikungunya), intestinal parasites
Risks: Ice, raw seafood, bites near coastal villages
Back-Home Reality Check
After you land, listen to your body. Lingering bloat, rashes, or fatigue deserve a red flag. Tell your doctor exactly where you went—parasites aren’t on most U.S. clinicians’ default radar—and if symptoms stick around, push for a stool antigen or PCR test.
P.S. Want to keep your brain as clear as your gut? 1440’s daily digest keeps you informed—minus the bloat, hype, or spin.
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Until next week,
Gabi & Bea