Settling In 115in adobe walls, so try not to sleep in such places that are
below 2,800 m (9,186 ft) in altitude. It takes six weeks after
a bite for a blood test to detect the disease. When in doubt,
do not scratch an entry path for the parasite.
If you are prone to high blood pressure, have your pressure
monitored at high altitudes by neighbourhood clinics which
charge Bs 3 (about US$ 0.60). Most contemporary blood
pressure pills are available here, usually costing much less
than they would back home. According to one cardiologist
I interviewed, the concept for the synthetic ace inhibitors
came from a Bolivian snake whose bite caused a quick death
because of a rapid drop in blood pressure.
Better to Be Safe
For up-to-date country-by-country health information, visit the
World Health Organization website: http://www.who.int.Bugs and insects that usually plague third world countries
are absent from most of western Bolivian highlands and high
valleys. The fact that so many nasty pests do not survive
and thrive about 2,500 m (8,202 ft) of altitude might be
adequate compensation for the usual tribulations of high
altitude adaptation.
Altitude Ailments
Ongoing research is proceeding in La Paz over the effects
of high altitude, at the national university and the friendly
Instituto de Patología de la Altura (Institute of Altitude
Pathology), on Avenida Saavedra 2302 in the Mirafl ores
neighbourhood of La Paz.
The problems of high altitude are due to the change in
barometric pressure. Under less pressure, air molecules
expand and take up 50 per cent more volume than they
would at sea level. Thus, one needs one and a half breaths
of air, rather then one at sea level. Even some natives of
La Paz have mentioned that they ‘feel the altitude’ when
returning to La Paz after having stayed in lower altitudes for
several days.