HIV
and AIDS
(SIDA,
in
Spanish)
are not
as
widespread
in
Ecuador
as in
certain
other
parts of
South
America,
but they
are on
the
increase,
with
around
20,000
Ecuadorians
having
contracted
HIV.
Unprotected
sex is
the most
common
form of
transmission.
Condoms
(condones
or
preservativos)
are not
as
widely
available
as in
Western
countries
- it's a
good
idea to
take
your own
supply
if
you're
worried
about
the
safety
of
unfamiliar
brands.
Not all
hospitals
screen
blood
adequately
or have
enough
sterilized
disposable
needles,
so it's
also
advisable
to carry
a supply
of
sterile
syringes
in your
first-aid
kit.
At
some
point
you're
bound to
come
across
unfriendly
dogs
,
especially
if
you're a
hiker,
as
they're
often
used in
rural
communities
to deter
thieves.
Though
they may
act
tough,
they
seldom
attack.
If a dog
snarls
and
bares
its
teeth at
you,
back off
slowly,
without
turning
your
back on
it,
staring
at it,
or
showing
any
fear.
Rabies
, though
only a
remote
risk,
does
exist in
Ecuador,
with a
couple
of
hundred
cases a
year: if
you get
bitten
or
scratched
by a
dog, cat
or most
other
mammals
you
should
wash the
affected
area
thoroughly
with
soap and
clean
water
and seek
medical
attention
immediately.
The
disease
can be
cured,
but only
through
a series
of
stomach
injections
administered
before
the
onset of
symptoms
(which
can
appear
within
24
hours,
and
include
irrational
behaviour,
aggression,
headache,
fever
and fear
of
water).
There is
a
vaccine
- a
course
of three
injections
that has
to be
started
at least
a month
before
departure
- but
it's
expensive
and
doesn't
prevent
you from
contracting
rabies,
though
it does
buy you
time to
get to
hospital.
Stings
and
bites
from
other
creatures
such as
scorpions,
spiders
and
snakes
are very
uncommon
but can
be
terribly
painful
and, in
rare
cases,
fatal.
It's
good
practice
to go
through
your
clothes,
socks
and
shoes
before
dressing,
and to
check
your
bedclothes
and
under
lavatory
seats.
In the
rainforests,
watch
where
you put
your
feet and
hands,
and
don't
lean
against
trees.
Walking
around
barefoot
is not
only an
invitation
to get
bitten
or
stung,
but
opens
the door
to
hookworm
too.
Ecuador
does
have its
share of
venomous
snakes
, but
most of
them are
more
concerned
with
getting
away
from you
than
attacking.
Even if
they do
strike,
there's
every
chance
that
they
won't
inject
any
venom.
In the
unlikely
event of
snakebite,
reassure
the
victim
and keep
them
still.
If
possible,
kill the
snake
for
identification
purposes,
and get
medical
help as
quickly
as
possible.
In
remote
rainforest
communities,
following
local
knowledge
may
sometimes
be
better
than
spending
hours
getting
to a
hospital.
Village
doctors
(curanderos)
may know
effective
antidotes,
and be
able to
prepare
them
quickly.
