HEALTH AND RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS

HOLA urges all volunteers to consult with their personal physicians for specific, individual advice regarding medical precautions and to check with the CDC website. Ultimate decisions concerning health care precautions are the responsibility of the volunteer.

STAYING HEALTHY

HINTS: YOU MAY EXPERIENCE HEADACHES THE FIRST DAY OR TWO IN ANTIGUA AND BECAUSE ANTIGUA IS AT A 5,000 FOOT ELEVATION YOU MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE SOME SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND FATIGUE THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER — FIVE TO EIGHT GLASSES PER DAY. MOST TEAM ILLNESSES FOR HOLA VOLUNTEERS ARE CAUSED BY DEHYDRATION. SOFT DRINKS AND COFFEE DO NOT COUNT!

The standard precautions that apply to travel in any underdeveloped country apply to Guatemala. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents as well as copies of any important medical records with you. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription medications, any necessary personal hygiene items and a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

While the hotel provides safe bottled water, HOLA recommends you do not drink or brush your teeth with the hotel tap water. Water served at recommended restaurants and at the school is safe to drink. Do not use ice cubes at most restaurants or eat raw seafood, rare meat or unpasteurized products. Eat well- cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Food prepared in the school or in recommended restaurants is usually safe.

TO STAY HEALTHY, DO:  

• Wash hands often with soap and water.

• Drink and brush teeth only with bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks and ice cubes.

• Eat only thoroughly cooked food. Fruits and vegetables should be carefully washed or peeled.

Remember: BOIL IT, COOK IT, PEEL IT, OR FORGET IT.

• Avoid green, leafy salads at most restaurants.

TO AVOID GETTING SICK:

Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.

• Don’t drink beverages with ice at most places.

• Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.

• Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats) to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague).

• Don’t swim or wade in streams or lakes. Most are contaminated.

 MOST IMPORTANT: IF YOU FEEL ILL, INCLUDING HEADACHE, CONSTIPATION, CRAMPS OR DIARRHEA, REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR MISSION COORDINATOR AND TEAM ADMINISTRATOR. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT 24-HOURS BEFORE LETTING US KNOW. YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE TEAM AND WE NEED YOU!

Mission Statement