Seven Health Care Tips for Travelers

Traveling is one of the greatest pleasures in life. We all make plans and hope they’ll meet our expectations. Besides the new locations you want to check or people you want to meet, there is something else that should also concern you: your health. Many people get sick while traveling and they are unprepared to deal with it on vacation. Let us help you prepare for your next holiday with these seven health care tips that will help you.

1. Pay Your Doctor a Visit Before

With so many things to prepare before going abroad, you hardly have the time to think about your health. Especially after a long period of hard work and no time off, your body is quite worn out. Don’t rely on the fact that this trip will help you recharge your battery. Traveling is fun but also exhausting. If you’re not feeling ready, postpone your vacation for a few days. No matter how busy you are, go to a medical check-up especially if you plan on leaving for several weeks or months. Your doctor will immediately figure out if you’re ok to go and if there is any preventive medicine you should include in your luggage.

1. Be Careful What You Eat

In order to prevent travel sickness, avoid any fatty foods or anything you can’t tolerate before you embark on your journey. You don’t want to lose that traveler’s enthusiasm because you have an upset stomach. Be extra cautious if you know you usually feel sick on transport means. In this case, it’s recommended you take some motion sickness medication the day you depart.

Once you arrive at your destination, don’t rush to enjoy the local cuisine. No matter how hungry you are, try to choose reliable restaurants that are rather crowded. It is better if you avoided street stalls. Whatever fresh fruit or vegetable you want to eat, wash it thoroughly and do the same thing with your hands before each meal.

1. Make Sure You Have All the Necessary Vaccines

This essential element of healthy traveling should be included in your traveler’s checklist. Make sure you do a proper research if you plan on visiting an exotic country. Find out which are the necessary vaccines you should take. In certain countries, these are legal requirements you must meet. Once you’ve done your research, call your doctor in case you need any vaccinations. Plan this several weeks ahead because it might take some time to have them done.

1. Make a Proper First-Aid Kit

Wherever you go, pack some medicine in your luggage. You never know when you need it. One of the most frequent questions of travelers is what should be included in the first aid kit. Well, this is a tough question because it depends a lot on your medical history. However, there are some generic drugs that should never miss from your bag.

• Bandages
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Anti-allergy medication
• Sanitary alcohol

1. You Are More Exposed to Germs: Take Precautions

While traveling, you are more exposed to all kinds of germs. Crowded places like the airports or train station are a favorite spot for these unseen enemies. Here are some common sense traveler tips to help you prevent contamination:

• Wash your hands: we can’t stop emphasizing this idea. It is crucial to pay extra care to your personal hygiene while on the road. Use a lot of soap and hot water as often as you can.
• Use antibacterial wipes: these are also effective in cleaning your hands (when you don’t have the possibility to wash them) and other objects that were previously used by someone else (for example the armrests)
• If you need a drink, buy bottled water or coffee to go. Avoid drinking from glasses and cups in places like airports. They have literally been used by thousands of people before.

1. Check Your Hotel Room’s Hygiene Standard

When you arrive in your hotel room, do a quick check up before anything else. Make sure the toilet and shower look clean. Check your towels, bed sheet, and pillow cases. If something looks wrong, kindly ask the hotel’s staff to provide you with others. Bringing your own extra towels and a clean pillow case is often wise, especially if you booked low-cost accommodation.

1. Don’t Forget You Need a Valid Health Insurance

This seems pretty logical, but it would not be the first time people go on vacation with no travel insurance. Check if your insurance is up to date. Depending on your destination, you might need to add extra features to your coverage. Make sure you fully understand what your insurance covers before you leave.

All these being said, there is nothing more to add, but to wish you a great holiday and a safe trip!

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author bio: Ethel Huizar is a health writer passionate, and a University of Colorado graduate. Ethel writes for healthrow.net original health articles related to health problems and concerns. Her aim is to inform people on the number of ways nature and science can help them lead healthier lives.