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Going for a spring or summer get-away? Tips for staying healthy and safe on your next trip
5/1/2010
Before Your Trip...
Talk With Your Doctor about how to stay healthy while traveling, discussing any concerns about how your health could be impacted by the planned trip.
Get Vaccinations Check with your doctor to see if you need any vaccines or booster vaccines to help prevent such illnesses as hepatitis A, yellow fever, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae type B (in young children), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, mumps, rubella and measles. Sometimes a vaccine or a specific medication will be necessary for a particular age group or a particular destination i.e. anti-malarial medication. Travelers should be immunized against influenza, if vaccine is available. If you will be in contact with animal wildlife, check to see if you should receive pre-exposure rabies vaccination. Some destinations require proof of vaccination, so make sure that you have received a record of all vaccinations administered.
Check Ahead with embassy websites if traveling out of the country. For U.S. domestic travel, check with the National Park Service and State Departments of Health for extra health and safety tips.
Locate a Health Care Provider that will be accessible during your trip, especially if you have existing health conditions. International travelers can check with the local U.S. Embassy or Consular service at your destination for health care information. Click here for more general precautions about international health care.
Contact your Health Insurance Provider to learn the extent of your medical coverage outside the United States. Consider getting travel insurance if your health plan does not cover international travel. Carry your health insurance information with you at all times.
Bring Along...
Insect Repellent if you will be spending any time outdoors. Preventing insect bites is an easy way to avoid pesky annoyances and insect-borne diseases. Click here for more information on bug repellent and insecticide use.
Long Sleeves & Layered Clothing Dressing in long sleeves and slacks can also protect against bug bites that may carry diseases. If you will be outdoors in tick infested areas, check your clothing and body for ticks throughout the day to avoid possible infection. Pack clothing that can be layered as a convenient way to prepare for unexpected weather. Weather-appropriate clothing will help minimize the risk of climate-induced illnesses or conditions, such as heat exhaustion or frost bite.
Hand Sanitizer The most effective and proven way to prevent infection is to keep your hands clean. While traveling, wash your hands or use sanitizer frequently. Keep a personal supply of alcohol-based sanitizer especially for times when when soap and water are not readily available.
First Aid & Health Kit Since a trip away from home can be an adventurous occasion, you should prepare for the unexpected! Proper treatment of wounds and injuries is vital in preventing infection. Always have first aid supplies readily available while you are traveling. A properly-supplied health kit to treat sudden illnesses and infections is an additional safeguard. A complete travelers' health kit should include medicines for pain or fever relief, upset stomach or diarrhea, throat and respiratory symptoms, motion sickness, allergies, and destination-related illnesses (such as altitude sickness or malaria). Click here to see more information on travel health kits and First Aid supplies.
Medications Keep all medications and prescriptions in their original containers.
Important Contact Numbers and Records Carry your doctor's phone number(s) and your health insurance information for easy reference. Don't forget your vaccination records as well as a list of all medications that you currently take, including herbal remedies or vitamins.
During Your Trip...
Avoid Injuries
Remember "Safety First" when traveling. Vacations and travel to new places can be exciting, but always take into consideration your environment and possible courses of action in case of an emergency. Be extra careful when engaging in physical activities since open wounds and hospital care in unfamiliar environments can pose risks for infection.
You should not attempt to come in close contact or handle unfamiliar animals. If you do get bitten by an animal, consult with a health care provider as soon as possible after you have received first aid. Click here for more information on exposure to rabies and other animal-associated infections.
Choose Food, Beverages & Restaurants Wisely
Carefully select food and beverages for consumption, as this will minimize the risk for acquiring traveler's diarrhea. Freshly-cooked, hot-served foods are safer than foods that have been left unrefrigerated in a kitchen or on a buffet table. Avoid beverages diluted with non-potable water such as reconstituted fruit juices, ice, and milk as well as foods washed in non-potable water, such as salads. Other risky foods include raw or undercooked meats and seafood, and unpeeled, raw fruits and vegetables. Safe beverages include those that are bottled and sealed, or carbonated. Boiled beverages and those appropriately treated with iodine or chlorine may also be safely consumed. When choosing restaurants, observe for basic clues as to the cleanliness of the facility and the freshness of the food.
Prevent Respiratory Illness or other Communicable Diseases
Respiratory infections are an under-recognized travel risk, despite being a leading cause of hospital visits for returning travelers. Respiratory infections have been reported to occur in up to 20 percent of all travelers, making them nearly as common as traveler's diarrhea. In general, the types of respiratory infections that affect travelers are similar to those affecting non-travelers. You may be exposed to disease-causing respiratory germs anytime while in close contact with other individuals. Remember to keep those hands clean. Additionally, avoid areas with known disease outbreaks. The CDC Travelers' Health page provides alerts and information on regional disease transmission patterns and outbreak alerts.
HAVE FUN and STAY HEALTHY.
Resources:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/yellowbook/home-2010.aspx
