This is where we address those questions that linger in the recesses of your minds and hearts. These are the questions you are afraid to ask because you are afraid of the answer. Well, we have those answers here for you if you want to see them. Remember, however, that we do not speak for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nor do we speak for any mission president.

 

what kind of health risks do I need to worry about?

The health risks in El Salvador are not as serious as you might think. Most missionaries will suffer from the basic stomach and digestion problems. Your missionary will become very familiar with his/her bathroom on a few occassions. Other than that, there are only a few things you might want to know.

Foot Problems - These come often due to heavy walking. This is why it is important for missionaries to have comfortable shoes. They usually consist of sore and blistered feet and after a while the callouses form and the blisters go away, but they will return with each new pair of shoes!

Food Problems - Missionaries are always told to be careful about what they eat. No unpeeled, uncooked, unwashed vegetables or fruit and avoid pork, seafood, fish, cabbage, and unpurified water. Occasionally a few missionaries may get sick from something they eat, but it rarely exceeds diarrhea or some throwing up and goes away within a day or two... and missionary is the wiser next time he or she is tempted to eat something they shouldn't! Missionaries are given anti-parasite and intestinal worm medicine on a regular basis, and should take these medications before coming home.

Typhoid - All missionaries are vaccinated against typhoid before they arrive in country. Typhoid causes some fevers, achy body, and exhaustion. It is fairly miserable, lasts for about two weeks, and then recovery begins. Typhoid is not a seroius threat for most missionaries and is usually attained from bad water, poor sanitation, or other uncleanliness.

Dengue fever - There are two forms of dengue fever. The first is the classic dengue. The symptoms are similar to typhoid. It causes some fevers, aches in your bones and body, and total exhaustion. It can be very uncomfortable, but rarely lasts longer than a week before the missionary can continue his or her normal schedule. The second type of dengue is much more serious. It is a hemmoragic viral fever. This means it causes internal bleeding and can be fatal. Hemmoragic dengue fever is not very widespread and usually attacks in the poorest and most unsanitary neighborhoods; neighborhoods missionaries should not be frequenting because they are usually also plagued with crime and violence. A few missionaries each year usually catch the classic dengue fever which is transmitted by mosquito. They are out for a few days but up and running again very soon. No missionary, as far as we know, has every contracted the second form of dengue, nor is it likely any missionary would. With the areas the missionaries work in and the few rare cases that ever pop up in the country the chances of contracting hemmoragic dengue are extremely small. Dengue fever is really only a threat during the rainy season when the mosquitos begin to breed.

Malaria - Malaria is a mosquito born illness. It also causes fevers and exhaustion, but is rarely contracted. Most physicians recommend you not take malaria pills as it has been proven to force stronger strains of the malaria virus to mutate to adapt to the medicine. Malaria has not been a serious health threat in the past for the missionaries.

Hepatitis - Hepatitis strikes in some of the more unsanitary neighborhoods of the country. It is treatable but has not been a serious health threat in the past for the missionaries.

Remember that it is the rare, extreme, and ultimately amazingly powerful health threat that cannot be treated in El Salvador. No missionary that we know of has died due to health problems or illness. You may be uncomfortable for a few days, but you will recover, and no amount of worrying from the mothers will help the situation. The vast majority of the missionaries are always healthy and happy!

 

what kind of medical facilities are available in El Salvador?

The mission works with several local doctors that are extremely competent. A few have been trained in the United States and speak very good English.

Dr. Velasquez, the mission doctor, is a very well qualified and trained doctor. She works with missionaries from both the West and East missions and has been working with the missionaries for several years now. Her husband is part owner/operator of a local hospital that treats many of the missionaries with up to date tools, equipment, technology, and training.

There are several hospitals that the mission uses for the missionaries as well. The Hospital Diagnostico in San Salvador is the best in the country and has modern equipment and well trained doctors on staff.

There is also a nurse at the embassy that the mission is aware of if the need arises. However, the embassy nurse often lacks the same training that some of the local doctors have obtained in Mexico, the United States, or Canada.

The same holds true for local dentists. Many of the missionaries use a local dentist who is licensed and trained in the United States. Her husband works with the US Embassy and she has opened her practice in El Salvador to continue working. She is surprisingly cheap and very good.

 

what about safety in El Salvador?

There are some specific safety issues in El Salvador that missionaries are aware of that are not present in the United States.

Public drunkenness is common and not a crime in El Salvador. This often leads to harassment or unwanted attention (especially for North American females), but is usually harmless as the drunk is fairly incapacitated due to his inebriate state.

There is a lot of petty thievery that goes on in El Salvador. This consists of pick pocketing, muggings, and some armed robbery on the streets or highways. These crimes rarely turn violent and the perpetrators are not hardly ever interested in causing any harm as much as they are in getting away with something of value. Missionaries are told to always carry some spare change with them that they can give to thieves in case of a robbery or mugging.

There are areas that should be avoided, especially in the larger cities. Missionaries are told about these areas and are warned not to enter them. Safety always comes first in the mission, and the Elders and Hermanas are always being watched out for. Many of the locals will watch out for the missionaries and warn them of any empending dangers in the area.

Remember your son or daughter is safer serving a mission than they would be at home.

 

I haven't received a letter in weeks from my missionary, should I be concerned?

No. Remember that local mail systems in El Salvador are sometimes a little loopy and they can fluctuate. You may receive two letters on the same day and then not hear anything for several weeks.

Also know that there are some P-days that go by where missionaries may not have a chance to get a letter off to home. While they are doing everything possible to write you, on rare occassions they may need to go into San Salvador to run an errand, interview with the President, or see the doctor. This may prevent your missionary from getting a letter off to you once in a while, but don't worry.

Remember as well, that if something serious had happened, you would have found out long before letters stopped arriving. No news is usually good news.

No letters may also mean your missionary was transfered to a new area and hasn't had a chance to write you.

If your concern continues, call the mission president or his wife and find out what is going on. Never attempt to contact your missionary directly.