The Medical Challenges of Qualifying for Rio
By Dr Corey Cunningham, Chief Medical Officer Australian Paralympic Team
As our Aussie athletes earn selection for Rio 2016, their dreams are fulfilled and their training focuses on preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
But Rio is quite different to Sydney or London and they will face a number of medical challenges and risks while in South America. An important part of preparation for the Games is medical and musculoskeletal screenings, and a range of immunisations. All members of the team need injections to protect against Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever, as well as updates for tetanus and Whooping Cough.
The World Health Organisation is also concerned about a serious strain of flu this year, which means another injection – fluvax!
But the greatest threat to performance is gastroenteritis infection via contaminated water from the tap as well as in the beaches and competition venues around Rio. The medical team has put a number of strategies in place to try and prevent this. These include all team members being offered the cholera vaccine, probiotics before arriving in Rio and specific antibiotic treatment for those who do get sick.
And then there is the Zika virus. We are very careful to limit any chance of mosquito bites, potential carriers of the virus and other diseases, by using high strength DEET repellant and mosquito nets where required.
Aussie athletes will no doubt be very well prepared and the medical team is aiming to keep them well protected and in peak condition to achieve their personal best.
As our Aussie athletes earn selection for Rio 2016, their dreams are fulfilled and their training focuses on preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
But Rio is quite different to Sydney or London and they will face a number of medical challenges and risks while in South America. An important part of preparation for the Games is medical and musculoskeletal screenings, and a range of immunisations. All members of the team need injections to protect against Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever, as well as updates for tetanus and Whooping Cough.
The World Health Organisation is also concerned about a serious strain of flu this year, which means another injection – fluvax!
But the greatest threat to performance is gastroenteritis infection via contaminated water from the tap as well as in the beaches and competition venues around Rio. The medical team has put a number of strategies in place to try and prevent this. These include all team members being offered the cholera vaccine, probiotics before arriving in Rio and specific antibiotic treatment for those who do get sick.
And then there is the Zika virus. We are very careful to limit any chance of mosquito bites, potential carriers of the virus and other diseases, by using high strength DEET repellant and mosquito nets where required.
Aussie athletes will no doubt be very well prepared and the medical team is aiming to keep them well protected and in peak condition to achieve their personal best.
