You’d been looking forward to your family’s summertime getaway all year long. You went over the travel itinerary in your mind a thousand times, confirmed every conceivable reservation, and assembled all the necessary recreational gear. But then a funny thing happened—in the midst of your dream vacation, an unanticipated illness suddenly put a damper on all your family fun, undermining months of planning and eager anticipation.
Don’t let this happen to you and your loved ones! Here are some simple precautions you and your family can take to help keep sickness at bay when you travel:
See your doctor ahead of time
Even if you’re feeling perfectly fine, scheduling a medical checkup for a few weeks ahead of departure is a good idea. Your doctor can verify that all your immunizations are up to date, advise you of any illnesses that might be prevalent at your chosen destination, and recommend or prescribe a therapy to stave off motion/seasickness. In addition, he or she might be willing to prescribe emergency medications that you can take in the event of illness on your trip.
Pack your prescriptions!
Make sure you pack any prescription medications and that you have sufficient quantities of them to get you through the entire trip. If you forget and leave home without them, you may not have much luck accessing them at your destination—especially when traveling abroad.
An important note: Be sure to pack all your prescription meds in compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines and recommendations to ensure a smooth travel experience. For example, the TSA website (TSA.gov) specifies that “medications should be in their original, labeled containers to avoid questions about legitimacy.”
De-stress before you depart
Summer travel is fun and exciting, but it can also be highly stressful. Before you even hit the road, there’s all the pressure of packing and getting caught up at work to deal with. In the last few days before departure, relaxation and restful sleep usually take a back seat to last-minute preparations, which can compromise your immune system and leave you vulnerable to the first “bug” you encounter on your journey. Of course, you might also have to contend with the stress of delayed or canceled flights, detours or delays en route, lost hotel reservations, mechanical problems with your car, etc., etc.
The best antidote to travel stress is to anticipate problems and begin your preparation well in advance of departure. Give yourself at least two weeks to make sure your vehicle has been inspected and cleared for long-distance travel, your lodging and other reservations are confirmed, all your family’s clothing has been laundered, you’re aware of any major construction or detours on your route, any outstanding projects at work have been completed, any issues related to home security have been addressed, and the mail and newspaper have been stopped or forwarded (or you’ve arranged for someone to bring them in for you). With the possible exception of a small overnight bag for each family member, don’t wait until the day before you leave to start packing.
Tame your itinerary
Sure, summer vacation comes around but once a year (for most of us, anyway), but that doesn’t mean you have to fill every waking moment with sightseeing, shopping, snorkeling, bar hopping, and other activities just so you don’t miss anything at your destination. Be sure to build some time into your itinerary every day to unwind, relax, recuperate, and, of course, sleep. An hour just relaxing on your hotel balcony each morning or right before bed will be time well spent.
Don’t drink the water!
It’s the oldest travel adage in the book, but it still holds true, especially when you consider the fact that in many countries, drinking-water-purification standards and protocols trail way behind our own. It’s important to drink plenty of water on vacation to avoid dehydration, but if you have any question about the quality of the water at your destination, make sure it’s bottled, not from the tap. Also, avoid brushing your teeth with tap water or using ice cubes made with tap water. These simple oversights can have serious repercussions on your health.
Eat wisely
Fast-food burgers, fries, and soda pop are convenient road-trip fare, but those greasy foods and carbonated beverages can really wreak havoc on your digestive system when you’re cramped up in a car for a long period. Rather than risk an upset stomach, why not take along a cooler packed with healthy snacks, sandwiches, and bottled water? It’s just as convenient and will help to keep your body energized and your immune system revved up.
When traveling outside the US, eating wisely can take on a whole new meaning. For example, while we’re conditioned to think of raw fruits and vegetables and certain dairy products as healthy choices, you eat them at your own risk while traveling abroad. Also, in locales with lax food-inspection standards, eating foods served up by local street vendors might just be asking for a serious food-borne illness.
Don’t spare the hand sanitizer
Popular tourist attractions—museums, theme parks, water parks, zoos, etc.—are, by their very nature, “well-traveled ground.” That means you should assume any surfaces in such places have been exposed to more than their share of microbes. To avoid catching whatever previous visitors might have been carrying, try to keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes. Also, remember to wash your hands regularly. In situations where soap and water aren’t readily accessible, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer handy and give each family member a squirt after your visit. Many tourist attractions make an effort to provide hand-sanitizer dispensers on their premises for visitor convenience. Take advantage of them! ✲
