Travel
Tips: Staying Healthy
Staying healthy
while traveling is a fairly simple task to accomplish. A few precautionary
steps to take prior to departure and a few common sense tips to
follow while traveling are the only requirements needed.
Health Tips
Prior To Departure
Visit your physician
at least six weeks prior to departure. Some vaccinations may require
the passage of a few weeks before they are fully effective.
Vaccinations to consider getting: Hepatitis A or B, Influenza,
Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, Meningococcal meningitis, Japanese
Encephalitis, Rabies, and Varicella.
Booster vaccinations to consider getting: Tetanus, Measles-Mumps-Rubella,
and Polio.
Have a complete physical to check the status of your health and
any changes that may be needed to your current medications.
Consult your physician about possible complications that you might
encounter due to health conditions such as respiratory problems,
high blood pressure, or cardiac problems, particularly if you
will be visiting locations with high altitudes or poor air quality.
Visit the dentist and complete any necessary dental work.
Refill any prescriptions that you will need to take with you on
the trip. Plan to carry additional medicine in the event that
you lose some of your medication while traveling. Be sure to carry
your medication in the original containers. Many countries have
very strict drug regulations. Original containers and identifying
documentation will help to avoid any complications that may arise
from your possession of medications.
Acquire and wear a medical alert bracelet for any life threatening
diseases that you might have.
Prepare a card to carry that lists any pertinent medical information
such as primary doctor, all current medication, etc. Remember
to list any allergies that you might have, including food or insect
allergies.
Prepare a small first aid kit that you can carry with you on the
trip. The kit should include such things as prescriptions, pain
medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, bug repellent,
antacids, and sunscreen.
Update your eyewear if necessary. Plan to take a second pair if
available.
Acquire medication that may be needed in the country that you
are going to visit. For example, if there is a risk of malaria
in that country, ask your physician for a prescription for preventative
medicine.
Check into your medical insurance coverage and understand what
procedures or policies you will need to follow should you need
medical treatment while abroad.
The types of
vaccinations that you get will depend on two things. First, the
physician will need to review your medical history. Second, the
physician will take into consideration the country or countries
that you will be traveling though on your trip.
Health Tips
While Traveling
Select your
meals carefully while traveling.
Avoid food served by street vendors.
Choose heated, steaming meals as opposed to tepid food.
When eating raw fruits or vegetables, make the selection or peel
the fruit yourself.
Avoid uncooked seafood.
Avoid dairy foods that have not been pasteurized.
Avoid beverages that contain ice cubes or crushed ice.
Select water packaged commercially in sealed bottles rather than
fresh water from open containers.
Select carbonated beverages over water that has not been commercially
packaged.
Remember to take any preventative medicine that your physician
has prescribed for you.
Avoid swimming in bodies of fresh water such as lakes and streams,
particularly in countries such as Africa.
Remember to use plenty of bug repellent if you are visiting a
country or countries that have a high incidence of mosquito-borne
diseases.
Use bed netting at night if you are visiting a country or countries
that have a high incidence of mosquito-borne diseases.
Avoid overcrowded transportation. It is simply better to wait
a short while for the nest vehicle.
Use seatbelts when possible and motorcycle helmets when riding
a motorcycle.
Avoid driving in an unfamiliar area unless you have a local map
available.
Avoid driving at night, especially if you have night vision.
Carry the phone number of the U. S. Embassy with you in the event
that you need medical treatment while abroad. They will be able
to provide you with contact information for local doctors, dentists,
etc.
Avoiding diarrhea
is probably the most important facet of watching what you eat
and drink while on vacation. Almost nothing can incapacitate someone
quicker than a bad case of diarrhea that dehydrates and weakens
the immune system quickly.
Health Tips
Upon Arrival Home
Continue to
take any preventative medications that were prescribed for you
for the entire recommended time.
Visit your physician immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms
of disease or medical problems.
Once you have
arrived home, use your common sense to review your health status.
If everything is normal, then, most likely, you have nothing to
worry about. When in doubt, make that phone call to the physician
and ask questions. A healthy trip is a happy trip. Plan ahead
and have fun!
Author Ian White
is founder of Housecarers.com House Sitting Matching directory
Housecarers.com automates the matching with daily email notifications
to all parties. Your pets will miss your but their envirnonment
remains intact,
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