|
|
 |
|
|
 |
If visiting Poring overnight or Sayap or Serinsim, malarial precautions are
advisable but not necessary for Kinabalu or Park HQ or Mesilau. Leeches occur in
some lowland areas, mainly in the forests around Poring. Prevention is best –
wear proper boots or walking shoes with 2 pairs of long knee socks or a pair of
leech socks, and spray both shoes and socks with insect repellent. If you do get
bitten, apply salt or a lighted cigarette to remove the leech if you don’t want
to pull it off, and put a plaster over the cut. Most septic bites are caused by
secondary infections, so don’t scratch a healing bite. Anti-histamine cream will
deal with most insect bites and is widely available from the pharmacies in Kota
Kinabalu. In the lowlands those who are not used to the heat will sweat a lot
and must take care to replenish body fluid to avoid dehydration.
If you plan to climb Kinabalu and have any kind of Medical condition, please get
your doctor’s advice first. This is particularly important if you suffer from
asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, heard, arteries or lungs problems. Though
it can be very cold on the summit plateau, if it is a clear day it can be also
very hot – sunblock cream and sunhat are useful under such conditions. It is not
unknown for climbers to suffer heatstroke after a whole day on the summit
plateau.
Many people suffer from headaches, nausea or disorientation due to mild altitude
sickness at the overnight hostel at Laban Rata. Headache tablets and anti-nausea
medications may help, but if symptoms are severe do not continue the climb. All
the park staffs are trained in basic mountain rescue and first aid. In a major
medical emergency, the nearest district hospital is in Ranau; the staff there
will transfer serious cases to the government hospital in Kota Kinabalu, usually
by road. There are private medical clinics in Ranau and well-equipped private
hospital, Sabah Medical Center (SMC) in Kota Kinabalu. |
|
|
|
