Bees and Wasps
can give painful stings. Sometimes, the stinger remains in place and continues to inject venom. That is why it is important to remove the stinger from the skin as quickly as possible. The manner in which you do it is not so important.
When a bee stings, it emits a chemical substance, which in turn attracts other bees. That is why it is important to get out of the area immediately!

Leeches
are found in humid terrain, such as in the rainforest. They attach to the skin in order to suck blood. Insect repellents are effective in keeping them away to a certain extent. If you should be exposed to leeches, do not pull them off your skin as the bite could then become infected. Placing a small amount of salt on and around the leech usually gets them to let go.

Jellyfish
If you are stung by a jellyfish, there is often only a local reaction that is painful and results in a reddening of the skin that can last from a few minutes to several hours. However, some species that are found primarily around northern Australia and in South-east Asia are more poisonous than others and can cause serious reactions and in rare cases result in death.
Brush away any jellyfish remains, but do not rub. Then rinse or dip the injured body part with salt water (not in fresh water since a change in the salt concentration may release more venom) or with vinegar if that is available. Take a painkiller, if necessary. If you begin to feel weak, nauseated or if you have been stung in the face or on the neck, seek a physician!

Mosquitoes
For children, who often tend to scratch apart their bites, a plaster placed over the bite can be used to prevent sores and further infections. A small amount of hydrocortisone cream on the bite can relieve the itch.

Snakes
are rather shy and seldom attack unless they are provoked or scared. That is why snakebites are rather unusual in the tropics. Snakebites most often take place at night and occur in the lower part of the body, which is why clothing on the feet and legs is very important. Death resulting from a snakebite is rare.

Preventive Measures

• Use proper boots or hiking shoes, as well as trousers made from a rugged fabric, if you walk outdoors in snake-infested areas.
• Make a little extra noise as you move about the terrain. This scares away the animals long before they scare you.
• Use a torch if you move about at night in snake-infested areas.
• Some snakes like the water, which is why a certain amount of caution is in order when swimming
• Take a careful look in your shoes before you put them on - especially in the morning.

If someone is bitten by a snake,
he will often, and understandably enough, be terrified and excited. The person having been bitten should move as little as possible since rapid blood circulation transports the venom around the body more quickly. Keep the bitten portion of the body as high as possible until the person is under proper medical care. Immediately wrap a bandage around the bitten body part, but do not cut off the blood flow entirely. Give the bitten person plenty of liquid to drink (not alcohol). Do not cut into the bite and do not attempt to suck out the venom. The bitten person should preferably be transported on a stretcher. Try - if you can - to establish whether the bite was made by a poisonous snake at all. Such bites most often consist of only one or two bite marks, as opposed to those from non-poisonous snakes that tend to leave several marks. It is even better if you recognise the type of snake; this makes it easier to decide upon which serum needs to be used. Children having been bitten must always be taken to the hospital.

Scorpions
are found in most tropical areas. They are most active at night and they rest during the day in warm and dry locations, such as in shoes, clothing and in sleeping bags. It might also be a good idea to take an extra look in your shoes or to shake out your clothes before you use them, especially if they are stored outdoors.
Some scorpions are more poisonous than others; however most often their sting causes more pain than it does a life-threatening situation for adults. Take a painkilling medication and, if possible, cool the stung part of the body with ice.
Children who are stung can have serious reactions and a doctor should be consulted without delay.
In African and Central American countries, the scorpions are often more poisonous, which is why you should seek a doctor as soon as possible if you are stung.

Spiders
The tropics are home to some poisonous spider species. As a rule, they do not bite through the skin and their venom is seldom deadly to humans; however, the pain can be quite intense. Take a painkiller and seek a doctor.
Pay attention to where you place your hands if you are digging under stones or into hollows in the ground.

Rabies

is a very serious infection found in many countries around the world. The disease can be transmitted to us humans mainly from infected dogs, but also cats, bats, monkeys, foxes can carry the infection as well.
Often it is small children who are bitten. Make sure, therefore, that your children do not play with unfamiliar animals.
If you are bitten by a mammal (remember that bats that you find in the bedroom may have bitten you in your sleep). It is important that you immediately - and for at least 10 minutes - clean the wound carefully with soap and plenty of running water. Then clean with alcohol or an iodine solution.

Regardless of whether you are vaccinated or not, contact a doctor as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) for a vaccination. Do not wait - timing is crucial!

Please note which vaccination you received, how you received it (injection in the muscle or immediately under the skin), how much vaccine you received, number of doses and the time when you received them. Then contact an infection clinic in your home country.

Keep in mind that your own animals - both those that you take with you or those you obtain abroad - can be infected with rabies and carry the infection further. Therefore, make sure that they are regularly vaccinated against rabies.