Travel offers unforgettable memories, new experiences, a fresh perspective, and the opportunity to recharge but no one wants to bring home an unwanted souvenir like a cold, flu, measles, or a stomach bug. Fortunately, doctors who travel often have a handful of travel tips that reduce the risk of travel related illness.
Here are a dozen tips to follow to stay well while traveling:
- Mask Up: COVID-19 isn’t as dominant as before, but it is important to be diligent and mask up on public transportation and in crowded places.
- Good Hygiene: Doctors are known for constantly washing or sanitizing their hands and wiping down surfaces like tray tables and seat armrests. Use hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean and wipes to clean surfaces.
- Hydrate: Avoid alcohol on flights and drink plenty of water. Pack electrolyte packets to stay properly hydrated and reduce the risk of in-flight nausea.
- Boost Immune System: Vitamin C, nasal mists, and even petroleum jelly inside the nostrils can help create a barrier against airborne germs.
- Embrace Off Peak Travel: Flying midweek or midday means fewer crowds and less exposure to germs.
- Rest Up: Proper sleep before and during your trip helps your immune system stay strong. Earplugs, eye masks, and neck pillows can help you catch much-needed rest in transit.
- Don’t Overschedule: Too many activities can lead to stress and exhaustion, both of which make you more vulnerable to illness. Leave room for downtime.
- Well-balanced diet: Eat nutritious meals with fruit and vegetables, pack healthy snacks, even while on vacation.
- Vaccines and Medications: Check vaccine requirements and consult a travel clinic before your trip. Bring medications for common travel issues like diarrhea.
- Protection: SPF 30+ sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and breathable long-sleeve shirts help prevent sunburn and heat-related issues.
- Insect repellent: Especially for outdoor or tropical trips, bug spray helps protect against mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses.
- Pack a small medical kit: Doctors travel with essentials like pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-nausea meds, and basic wound care supplies. Fever is one of the symptoms of the flu, be ready to do regular temperature checks to track fever patterns. Try using an easy-to-use, accurate thermometer like the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer to ensure that temperature measurements are reliable and precise.
A little preparation can go a long way toward staying healthy during vacations. After all, no one wants to spend their trip stuck in bed.
Source
EXERGEN P/N 850436, Rev 1