River kayaking enthusiasts encounter frequent high-pressure water spray and roll over when they spill, thus exposing themselves to water microorganisms and small water insects. They are at risk of central nervious system infections with Naegleria and baterial and parasitic gastro- intestinal infections. The greatest danger in this sporting activity is physical injury from the river bed, rocks and drowning. Travellers to central and South America, the Middle East and Africa are at risk of contracting a parasitic infection call schistosomiasis particularly if they swim in lakes and rivers that have a high level of infected snail population or ford rivers and streams and indulge in water skiing and wind-surfing in fresh water areas. In the Amazon basin, several fish species, including piranhas and candiru can cause mutilating damage. Crocodiles and large variety of water snakes also pose a health threat.
Salt Water Exposure
Tropical coral reefs, especially of the Indo-Pacific region, habour the greatest nymber and diversity of venomous fish. Fish sting by impaling their aggressor on venomous spines which may form part of the dorsal and pectoral fins and gill covers or may be a seperate appendage situated in front of the dorsal fins or on the tail.
Members of the five family of fish have caused human death: shraks and dogfish, sting rays and mantas, catfish, weaverfish, scorpionfish and stargazers. Fish sting produce severe pain and swelling, vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, fall in blood pressure and irregularities of heartbeat. For pain relief, the stung spine and membranes should be removed to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
Jellyfish, sea wasps, sea anemones and sea nettles belong to a group of animals called coelenterate. The tentacles of these brightly coloured animals are armed with stinging capsules (called nematocysts) which discharge when touched by a swimmer. Such contact can result in transient, burning discomfort and dermatitis.
Severe stings by the Portuguese man-of-war, Chiropsalmus of the Indian Ocean and Rhizostoma of the Altantic causes vomiting, diarrhoea, generalised muscular cramps, paralysis of breathing muscles and fits. Treatment consists of removal of any tentacles after inactivating the toxins in the nematocysts with local application of alcohol, ammonia or even dry sand. Oral antihistamines and analgesics may also be given.
Fresh and Shellfish Poisoning
a) PARALYTIC & NEUROTOXIC SHELLFISH POISONING
Caused : eating shellfish which ingested plankton with saxitoxin
Symptoms: vomiting, diarroea, nausea, slowing of heartbeat to the point of heart failure and muscle paralysis.
b) CIGUATERA POISONING
Caused : coral reef fishes e.g. grouper, red snapper seabass which have accumulated ciguatoxin via the sea web.
Symptons: abdominal pain. vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, headache, blurred vision, numbness and buring sensation of the extremities.
c) SCOMBROID FISH POISONING
Caused : commonly contracted from fish such as mackerel or tuna when it is not properly refrigerated or preserved.
A delicacy among Japanese, this fish contains a posion called tetrodotoxin. The dish is specially prepared by trained and licensed chefs in Japan. It is important to recognise and avoid eating the fish. Ingestion of the posion causes paralysis of muscles resulting in difficulties in breathing, drowsiness, convulsions and eventually death. No specific treatment.
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