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International trips can be fun, especially when you are young and have a whole world to explore. However, there are certain risks associated with travelling abroad, many of which you cannot even imagine. No, we are not talking about the skyrocketing travelling fare, pickpocketing, and other trivial matters.
In some countries, a cheap substitute called methanol is used in drinks. Methanol is an industrial alcohol mainly used in solvents, fuels, and other chemical-based products. It is not recommended for internal consumption at all. However, as it is a cheaper substitute to ethanol (which is used in alcohol), methanol is added to the alcoholic drinks. Even small amounts of methanol can lead to severe health risks that can even lead to death of the person. So, be aware of the methanol poisoning while travelling abroad and ensure that you and your co-travellers are safe. More details about methanol poisoning abroad and how to deal with it are provided in this blog.
Why is Methanol Poisoning Risky?
Adding methanol to alcoholic drinks does not alter its taste or smell. The counterfeit alcohol containing methanol tastes and smells perfectly normal. Only after hours after its consumption, you will start noticing the symptoms. Here are some common methanol poisoning symptoms that must be aware of while travelling abroad:
- Sharp abdominal pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Blurry vision
- Vomiting and nausea
- Seizures or convulsions
- Loss of vision
Even consuming tiny amounts of methanol can lead to blindness, seizures, organ failure, or even death. So, it is recommended that you avoid consuming alcohol of any form while travelling abroad, especially at cheap hotels or hostels.
Most people who suffer from methanol poisoning think of it as a hangover or after effect of drinking and ignore them. They do not take methanol poisoning symptoms such as vomiting and fatigue seriously and continue with their daily routine. This is the biggest risk that can lead to severe health risks associated with methanol poisoning abroad. More information about methanol poisoning travel safety tips have been provided in the below section.
Safety Tips to be Followed to Avoid Methanol Poisoning While Travelling Abroad
Here are some important tips that you must follow to avoid methanol poisoning abroad:
Do not Indulge in Drinks
The best and easiest solution to avoid methanol poisoning is to avoid drinking altogether, especially when you are in a foreign territory. Do not indulge in drinks that you’ve not tasted before even if they are offered as complimentary drinks by the hostel or hotel where you are staying. Young students must be especially very cautious as they might end up staying in cheap hotels that may serve these types of dangerous drinks.
Take Symptoms Seriously
The symptoms associated with hangovers subside with time. However, if the symptoms are getting worse and unusual symptoms such as blurry vision or breathlessness is noticed, you must act upon it immediately and contact medical emergency services.
Methanol poisoning can be suspected if all the people who had taken drinks are falling ill. So, being alert and conscious is the only solution to avoid any major health risks after consuming alcohol at a foreign location.
Be Connected with Your Family
Staying connected with your family during your international trips is also important. Regular calls and data plans can be quite expensive due to international roaming charges. However, you can also get an international eSIM to manage your data needs and voice calls within your budget. Also, the eSIM you buy must be applicable to the country you are visiting.
For instance, if you are travelling to the UK, buy eSIM UK before your departure. You can buy an eSIM online through an eSIM providing website or app. The eSIM plan does not activate immediately after buying. It starts only when you land at the UK airport and your eSIM gets connected with the local network. Also, if your phone supports dual SIM functionality, you can continue using your home SIM for your usual SMS, calls, and OTPs.
Being connected with your friends and family is important because they will guide you during hard times such as methanol poisoning. You can also research online and find guidance regarding the immediate steps to be taken after being diagnosed with methanol poisoning abroad. Explore travel eSIM plans today if you are planning an international trip with your friends or family.
Buy Alcohol Only from Trusted Sources
Many travellers end up buying alcohol in a foreign location because they want to enjoy the abroad tour to the fullest. If this is the case with you, ensure that you buy alcohol from trusted bars, hotels, and clubs, Purchase only branded alcohol or avoid loose and homemade drinks.
The alcohol that is sold on the street or that comes unlabelled should be avoided at all costs. Cocktails, heavily discounted, or complimentary drinks served at local bars or clubs should be completely avoided. Branded wine or beer that come in sealed bottles or cans should be preferred wherever possible.
Drinking alcohol from a branded bottle or can is just a precaution but it does not guarantee that the alcohol is safe. Counterfeit alcohol is often mimicked as branded and sold at high rates. So, avoiding alcohol altogether is the best and safest methanol poisoning travel safety tip while traveling abroad.
Which Countries Have Methanol Poisoning Travel Safety Alerts?
Many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, and the Pacific region have been warned of methanol poisoning cases in the past. However, methanol poisoning cannot be restricted to one place or location. So, instead of looking out for countries that have warned of methanol poisoning abroad, one must seek FCDO travel advice.
FCDO travel advice is an official advisory issued by the UK government to guide those who are travelling internationally to various locations. It includes guidance with respect to health, local laws, safety, and security protocols. The FDCO also issues alerts for specific regions on the basis of their threat levels. If there is no warning issued for a specific region, it is considered to be safe for international travel. However, even after that, you must follow all the precautions and avoid drinking from local or unlicensed sources.
Can I fly back to my home country after methanol poisoning?
Diagnosed with methanol poisoning while travelling but want to return home? Don’t hurry as methanol poisoning requires some time for the patient to recover. If you are feeling well and the doctors certify your travel, you can fly back to your home country. However, if the symptoms such as blurry vision, breathing issues, seizures, etc. have not ceased completely, it is better to stay back and get your treatment completed.
Has your relative or friend been diagnosed with alcohol poisoning abroad and wants to return home? Discuss it with the doctor from where your friend or relative is getting treatment for. If required, get a medical report suggesting that it is safe to fly back home. Also, discuss with the insurer if abroad treatments are covered and inquire whether services such as medical repatriation is covered under the travel insurance.
Patients who are seriously ill are not advised medical repatriation because it can deteriorate their health further. So, you must consider all these things while planning your trip abroad.
