How to Avoid Getting Sick on Vacation

Getting sick on vacation is one of the worst feelings ever. You’ve spent so much money on your trip, not to mention the time and effort planning it, and you can’t even enjoy it.

Unfortunately, getting sick is a real possibility. When you go to a new place, you may encounter new germs you have no immunity against. You’re also likely stressed and functioning on little sleep. Red-eye flights, tricky transportation schedules, language barriers, culture shock –these can be adventurous and exciting, but they are stressful events that may cause a weakened immune system.

First, a word about medical tourism…

With skyrocketing medical costs in the USA, no wonder many Americans choose to go abroad for medical care. However, always remember that different countries have different health standards. Risks include infection, counterfeit drugs, and medications that don’t meet American standards of quality. Flying post-surgery can also increase your risk for blood clots.

Alternatively, you can buy medication from reputable online International and Canadian pharmacies. A Canadian pharmacy referral service like Rx Connected only works with pharmacies and fulfillment centers that are approved by regulatory bodies from the jurisdictions they ship from.

Research common illnesses in the area and prepare accordingly.

If you plan on visiting tropical areas like Africa and Southeast Asia, do your research on the local diseases. Dengue fever, malaria, and the zika virus are no joke. The last thing you want is to be stuck in an unfamiliar country with a less developed healthcare system, paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for your care.

The CDC offers helpful guidelines on travel vaccines. Try to get vaccinated early; some vaccinations require a significant amount of time before being effective. It’s always a good idea to visit a travel clinic before your getaway.

Buy travel insurance.

Medical care can be very expensive. Even in a country where healthcare is state-funded, you may still need to pay a very large bill because you are not a citizen. The CDC recommends buying both travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance if you are going to a remote area with inadequate medical facilities.

If you have a pre-existing condition, make it known.

Wear a medical ID bracelet or carry a card in an easily-accessible place that has your medical information in the local language. Include information such as age, sex, nationality, medical conditions, medications, blood type, and allergies.

Avoid touching animals.

In many areas of the world, animals run rampant on the streets. From suburban monkeys to stray dogs, it’s easy to encounter what may at first look like a harmless, adorable critter.

However, many animals carry diseases that can spread to humans. Perhaps the most alarming one is rabies, which is typically spread by a bite. Once rabies symptoms appear, your chances of survival are practically zero. Stray dogs and bats are common rabies carriers.

If you’ve been bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal, clean the wound and seek immediate medical help, even if you’ve had the vaccine. Some countries lack the emergency drugs needed to prevent rabies, so evacuation may be necessary.

Think twice about street food.

One of the many delights of traveling is sampling the local cuisine, and in many countries, street food is an important part of that. Unfortunately, street food is largely unregulated,and contamination is a real possibility.

If you do want to try street food, avoid uncooked food. Better yet, watch the vendor cook it themselves. It’ll be fresher and tastier too!

Wear bug spray.

Diseases like West Nile, Dengue, and Malaria are spread by mosquito bites. In other areas, ticks can spread Lyme disease. Use a bug spray that has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and contains at least 20% DEET. Wear long sleeves and long pants for added protection against infections spread by bugs.

Avoid tap water and unpackaged drinks.

Bottled or canned drinks are usually fine, but there may be risk in consuming tap water and fountain drinks. Even brushing your teeth with contaminated water can be dangerous. Boil tap water before drinking and stick to unopened drinks.

At the End of the Day, Don’t Freak Out

Exotic diseases are scary, but they shouldn’t keep you from exploring. In fact, learning and becoming more aware of local epidemics can help you understand and appreciate the people who live there and deal with them every day. If you live in a country with an advanced healthcare system, understanding the health challenges others face can be humbling. That hour-long wait at the local clinic doesn’t seem so bad after all!

Take precautions, but don’t be paranoid. Enjoy your trip! If you do get sick after a recent voyage, visit your doctor right away. Be sure to mention your recent travels; this will help prevent misdiagnosis.