Adventure Travel? Know the Local Critters (Can.Woman Killed by Peruvian Caterpillars)

Ouch, I have heard and read that its ussually the little creatures that you have to becareful about in the jungle. People are always talking about Jaguars and 20' snakes when there are ussually ants, spiders, and even little frogs that can ruin your day alot faster.
 
i avoid shoes at all costs, but i think even i would grab a pair of sandals in the jungle...

bummer about that man, i guess like the article said it would probably be a good idea for doctors to brush up on more exotic diseases...
 
In the jungle you worry about the big things but its the little things that will get you or make your life miserable. Ants, wasps, mosquitos, centipedes, and all the little swimmers in the water.
 
I'm not sure that I totally agree with the idea that doctors need to familiarize themselves with exotic diseases and the like. That may help some, but I think people also need to take responsibility for themselves and try to familiarize themselves with the dangerous flora and fauna of the area they're traveling to.

I wish the events were described a little more clearly. Did the young woman step on all five caterpillars at once accidentally, or was she wandering around squishing them for some reason? When she was treated for the bruising on her legs was she immediately admitted to the hospital or was she hospitalized sometime after the initial treatment for the bruising? If she was hospitalized immediately then it sounds like the doctors figured out what the problem was within about a day or maybe two. That's surprisingly quick considering how many stories I've heard of people going to the doctor and having them not really be able to figure out the root problem but prescribing medications to treat the symptoms anyway.

At any rate, it's too bad that the young woman didn't make it, but she probably could/should have taken some pretty simple steps both before and after stepping on the caterpillars that would have improved her chances of surviving greatly.
 
siguy said:
i avoid shoes at all costs, but i think even i would grab a pair of sandals in the jungle...

bummer about that man, i guess like the article said it would probably be a good idea for doctors to brush up on more exotic diseases...
Click to expand...

i noticed your lack of footwear in your khukuri and KLO post.
 
barber, i just started getting serious about not wearing shoes early this spring, and at this point its not quite as easy as wearing shoes, but its getting close. i'm hoping that by the time winter rolls around i'll be set in flipflops...

i also usually run barefoot, that helps toughen up my feet alot.

salamander, i know what you mean about how people should be a little more responsible for researching thier travels, i almost put something about that in my post before but dinner was calling and i couldn't word it right...
 
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