How to Travel Without Getting Sick

Part of traveling includes a bit of planning, research, and even preparation to lessen the chances of battling against foreign germs. We want you to make the most out of your dream getaway the reason we’ve cited below tips from the expert. As a cliché, prevention is far better than any cure. And as you fly to the destination of your choice, you can monitor your trip through the live flight tracking system. It allows you to have access to a wide array of significant information regarding your flight and aircraft. It also gives a traveler a real-time notification if there are any changes on the flight.
We want you to avoid getting sick on your next trip. Internalize below tips and let’s keep going.
Basic rule – Be sure to wash your hands
One can control the spread of infection by simply doing this for every aspect of day-to-day life and even as you travel to the different parts of the world. The said act can dramatically reduce travelers’ chance of getting sick such as vomiting, diarrhea, food poisoning, flu, gastroenteritis, MRSA, and even hepatitis A. As a substitute, various travelers carry hand sanitizers which is indeed are a great back up. However, it is still better to clean hands at least thirty seconds with good soap and water whenever possible especially before and after eating and always after going to the toilet.
Be sure to stay hydrated, drink a bottle of water
If you’re not sure of the purity of the local water or whenever you’re aware that you’re traveling in areas where sanitation is not great, avoid drinking the local tap water. Regardless if locals are doing so without any problems, but your stomach may encounter problems especially if it does not have the right bacteria to protect you from becoming ill. It’s recommended that you should always drink bottled water and don’t forget to check the seal if it is intact since there’s a common scam wherein some people sell bottles refilled with tap water.
Be careful of food contamination
This is known to be one of the biggest causes of travelers’ diarrhea and also gastrointestinal problems. Be careful enough to pick the food that you’re going to intake and always ensure that it is fresh, cooked thoroughly and served piping hot to avoid exposing yourself to diarrhea. If you’re going to try out street foods, always lookout for signs of good hygiene practices before you eat to minimize the risk of becoming ill. We’ve listed below some cases that you may want to avoid:
- food that has been exposed for a couple of time
- raw fruit and vegetables that you haven’t peeled yourself
- salads that may have been prepared in a local water
- food that is being shared such as those in a buffet undercooked, raw, reheated food especially meat, fish or rice
Don’t be afraid of having unfamiliar food
If you’re traveling for the first time to a certain country, eating local food and trying out their local cuisine is something that you shouldn’t miss. But still, a degree of common sense is needed especially to avoid some form of gastrointestinal upset. It is advisable to take it easy if you have a sensitive stomach, you can just mix up the new foods and cuisine a little bit and not to jump straight into a diet of spicy curries or predominantly red meat.
Allot time to stay active
The best armor to stay healthy and fight off unwanted infections through exercise. It has been proven to strengthens one’s immune system which makes an individual less susceptible to illness. However, if you do get sick, it would be easier for your body to fight off the infection and you can quickly get back on your feet. If there are available activities in the area of your choice like jungle trek, hiking, or swimming to name a few, it would be better to engage yourself in it.
Protect yourself against the sun
To avoid sunburn, be sure to apply sun protection with at least SPF 30 before engaging in some activities like snorkeling. Also, it is important to stay hydrated especially if you’re traveling in a country with a tropical climate. It is also advisable to cover up with loose clothing or bring with you a hat or scarf. If you don’t do above-cited things, it can lead to many serious conditions like heat exhaustion and heatstroke which if left unattended quickly can become a medical emergency.
Ways to get mosquitoes away
You’re right, mosquito bites are indeed an absolute nightmare for every traveler. From simply annoying you with painful and itchy feeling, it can lead to a worst-case scenario such as having yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and not to mention malaria. Airconditioned rooms are great for minimizing mosquito bites. You can apply lotion or spray to protect yourself from being bitten.
See your travel health professional
It is significant to discuss your travel plans with a health professional before heading off to your desired destinations so they can advise you if there are certain vaccinations that you need. Be sure to visit a health professional 6-8 weeks or earlier before leaving the country of residence so you will have enough time to get things sorted.