June 1, 2018
You may have experienced it first hand or perhaps you’ve seen a loved one get sick on a family trip. Either way, being under the weather on vacation is no fun. We’re sharing some helpful tips to avoid illnesses when traveling this summer.
1. Reduce Stress Before Your Trip
First and foremost, try your best to decrease stress. Whether it’s getting your kids packed, preparing for being out of the office, or making family-friendly plans for when you’re finally there, vacations can often cause some tension before they actually relax you. We get it. It happens to most of us. However, we’re challenging you to remain calm in the weeks leading up to your trip.
Our immune system is our first line of defense when germs are introduced to our bodies. It protects us, and it wants us to have a good time! But, in return, we need to protect it, too. Highly increased or elevated stress levels can suppress our immune cells which we use to fight infections. So, when you’re in the midst of multitasking between work, family, and planning, don’t forget about your health. Make checklists. Ask for help. But most importantly, make time for yourself so you don’t catch the before-vacation blues.
2. Remember Your Medications
Packing the right medications is a must before you leave for your trip. Not only should you grab any ongoing medications that you or your family members are currently prescribed, but it’ll help to have some additional sick-guards in your suitcase. Before trying any new medications, consult your doctor. Do you suffer from allergy symptoms? What if you get a headache? Any chance you’ll be getting seasick? Your doctor may recommend traveling with allergy medication, acetaminophen, and something for motion sickness in case you start feeling those quick symptoms when on the road or on the beach! Once you’ve organized your oral medications, don’t forget the other handy helpers like cough drops, tissues, and eye drops, if needed.
3. Research Your Destination
If you’re traveling to a place you’ve never been or you’re visiting a destination outside of the United States, it’s important to do your research. Depending on the region or country, it may be recommended or required to get additional vaccinations outside of your routine ones. Consulting your travel agent and health provider will help you determine which vaccinations you should consider. Some countries may even ask for proof of a vaccination before entering an area where certain diseases are more common.
In addition to vaccinations, it’s good to make yourself aware of the climate changes you’ll be enduring. While the whole point of your vacation might be to seek warmer temperatures or hit the cold slopes, changes in weather and altitude can affect our bodies. Different locations host different types of allergens and those have the potential to irritate our respiratory system by inflaming or irritating our lungs and nasal passages. While this doesn’t mean you’ll always catch a cold in a new place, there is the chance that your body could feel off as it’s adjusting to a new environment. However, it’ll be easier to tackle the symptoms if you’re suited with the medications we mentioned above.
4. Watch Where You Rest
Are you prepared to wash your hands? A lot? During travel, one of the most common mistakes people make is getting too comfortable. While you may want to sit back, enjoy the ride, admire the sky, and indulge during your days off, you’ll want to be wary of where you’re relaxing. Germs are everywhere, but especially in highly populated places like public transportation. Have you ever enjoyed a snack, played a crossword puzzle, or simply rested your phone on an airplane table tray? Unfortunately, these have been found to be the dirtiest spots on an airplane with the table tray hosting 2,155 colony-forming units, or bacteria, per square inch. So, when you’re flying, the best thing to do is try and avoid touching your face until you’ve been able to give your hands a thorough wash. In fact, this goes for any public place even when you’re not on vacation – we’re just likely to be more laid back about it when we’re away from home. And for those times when you aren't near a sink, stock up on hand sanitizer and use it often.
MedExpress Pro Tip: Be the person who carries Clorox wipes. There’s no shame in being safe!
5. Fuel Your Body Right
One of the key pieces to protecting your immune system while on vacation is to fuel your body with the things it desperately needs. First, make sure you’re staying hydrated. When you're exploring a new city, or participating in outdoor activities, make sure you’re grabbing a bottle of water at least eight times a day. With the extra energy you’re exerting while being a tourist in a new town, you’re going to need more water to keep your body up to speed with your exploring self. In addition, spending time outdoors and working up a sweat could quickly turn into a heat exhaustion episode.
Traveling out of the country? We recommended sticking to bottled water over tap water if you’re traveling international. This isn’t just because the water could be contaminated, but because it could also contain new and different bacteria that your body isn’t used to. By drinking it, or using ice cubes made from it, you could end up with an upset stomach that’ll interrupt your plans. This also goes for steams or other bodies of water you plan on exploring in!
Just as well with food, make sure you’re taking breaks to eat meals and snack throughout your busy days. It’s also important to carefully consider the kind of food you consume when vacationing in destinations outside of the United States. Some of your favorite food choices, like vegetables and salads, are likely washed in the same tap water you’re looking to avoid – and could have the same impact on you! You should also check to make sure your food is cooked thoroughly and served extremely hot. Overall, when you’re choosing a spot for brunch or family dinner, an easy rule of thumb is to stick to the popular spots. Do you see the locals and other tourists raving over a food truck or hotel restaurant? Go there. While we want you to explore all of the hidden treasures of your destination, food should always be a fan favorite.
And lastly, don’t sleep your day away, but make sure you’re sleeping enough. With a new climate and a variety of activities on your plate, your body might get into go-mode. That’s perfectly fine! Adventure all you want, but also take time to wind down, rest your head, and catch some Zs. Exhaustion is one of the easiest ways to run your body down before the vacation is even over.
6. Know Your Sun Sweet Spots
Are you getting excited yet? Ah – the beach, the sun, the sand between your toes, but no! You can’t let yourself get too much sun! The last thing you’ll want to experience on vacation is sunburn or sun poisoning that keeps you cooped up in the hotel room feeling nauseous, sleepy, and most importantly, left out. It’s recommended that you apply at least 30 SPF sun screen 20 minutes before going outside, and reapply every few hours.
If You Get Sick on Your Trip
If you do happen to come down with something when you’re somewhere new, don’t panic. Keep up with your preventative measures by resting, hydrating, and eating well, and consider taking a hot shower to ease the symptoms if you’re fighting something internal. On top of the usual care, be proactive and try to determine what made you sick. If you have a stomach bug, make a list of the drinks and meals you consumed in the hours or days leading up to your symptoms. This will not only help you, but help others know what things to avoid.
It's also important to tell someone you aren’t feeling well or if you’ve experienced an injury even if you’re a tough cookie. It’s better to have your vacation team informed in case symptoms increase. It would also be beneficial to inform your hotel desk or room service so they’re aware, and can possible retract any meals that may have caused you to not feel well.
Try to enjoy your trip. Just know your limits. Plan activities wisely. Rather than rock climbing, boogie boarding, or going to a dance party, try taking a guided tour, seeing a show, or basking in all that the hotel amenities have to offer! By taking a more relaxed approach to your vacation agenda, you’ll get to make memories without making yourself feel worse.
And most importantly, know when to seek medical treatment. If you experience diarrhea or blood in your stool, have flu-like symptoms, or have been bitten or scratched by animal, it’s best to see a doctor immediately. If you’re traveling within the MedExpress states, stop by your local center. We’ve got your back.