5 Easy Suggestions to Avoid Getting Sick When You Travel

Being ill is a part of everyday life; being on the move does not free them from that, especially when traveling alone. However, the key to minimizing the chances of this is to actively combat the risk factors of getting sick. The last thing you want to do is risk yourself more than you must.

Between recycled air, questionable meals, and jet lag, travelers often find that their immune systems are down for census, making their journey miserable. And while handwashing can help limit some of the germs you encounter on your travels, there are only so many sinks and some soap cans. Prevention is much better than any cure.

Wash Your Hands

That sounds simple, but it’s incredible how many people forget it. The simple act of handwashing has been drilled into me since the first day of basic training as a critical component in infection control. Hand hygiene is essential to stop the spread of the infection and can dramatically reduce your chances of diarrhea and vomiting.

Many travelers carry small bottles of hand gel, which are great as a backup but are not a substitute for good old soap and water. Wherever possible, wash your hands under hot water for at least thirty seconds before and after eating and always after going to the bathroom.

Food Contamination

Food contamination is a significant cause of diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems in every travel adventure. If you are not careful with your food during your travels, you may be exposed to diarrhea, E. coli, and Shigella. You should always make sure, as much as possible, that every food you eat is fresh, thoroughly cooked, and served hot.

The food is often cooked right in front of you. But look for signs of good hygiene at every street food stall or food court you eat. Does the person handling the food wear disposable gloves and frequently change them? These things may seem insignificant, but they are essential.

Having A Familiar Food

Eating local cuisine and immersing yourself in the local cuisine is one of the absolute pleasures of traveling and one that you should never miss. Gastrointestinal upset if your stomach is not used to it. Food intolerances occur when your gut can not properly digest the food you have eaten.

Or you have introduced something completely new and different that can irritate the digestive tract and cause stomach pain and cramps. The trick to trying fresh food and cuisine is to mix it up a bit. If you have a sensitive stomach, take it lightly at first, and do not be afraid to eat familiar food from time to time.

Stay Active

Exercise is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy and fight unwanted infections. And when you get sick, your body can better fight off the infection and get back on its feet faster. Because fit people are still getting sick, but in general, the fitter you are, the better your body will be at shaking off that annoying bug or disease.

Always maintain a healthy lifestyle; that does not change because you are on the go. If you are inactive or fit before traveling, use it as an excuse to get started. Go jungle trekking, hiking in the country or on a mountain, swimming in the sea, jogging, whatever your lust is tickling, as long as it gets you out of breath.

Protect Against the Sun

Sunburn can seriously ruin a pleasant travel experience. Recent sunscreen recommendations say you should use a minimum factor of 15, although getting at least SPF 30 is recommended. It would be best to stay hydrated when traveling in a country or region with a hot or tropical climate.

Failure to do so can quickly cause dehydration, leading to more severe conditions such as exposure, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which, if left unattended, can become a medical emergency. It happens much more quickly than many think, such as using sensible sunscreen on sun cream, covering up, and staying hydrated.