With summer finally here, many of us are getting ready to pack our bags and head off for a well-earned vacation. Just because we can forget about the job for a few days, it doesn’t mean we can forget about our health.
Medicines
Do your research in advance. If you are traveling internationally and require vaccines, you may need to schedule them up to six weeks before your trip.
Be sure to bring a sufficient supply of prescription medicines with you when traveling. Bring at least an few day’s worth since you never know if you may get stuck away from home, due to a storm or an airline issue.
If you are traveling overseas, make sure you carry a copy of your prescriptions with you, if not only for entering a foreign country but also upon returning through U.S. Customs. Make sure you keep your medicines separate. By carrying pills in their original containers, you can help avoid confusion if you are singled out.
Definitely bring a prescription if your medicine includes hypodermic syringes. Otherwise, you might have a serious challenge on your hands when boarding the plane, let alone crossing borders. A doctor’s letter for prescription medications and needles may be advisable for certain countries.
Planning
The recent outbreak of swine flu centered in Mexico is an excellent reminder to investigate the situation ahead of time both before booking and before embarking on a trip.
Not only should you be concerned about infectious diseases, but you should also research conditions in country. For instance, if you are traveling from sea level to high altitude, be it Mont Blanc or Machu Pichu, be prepared for altitude sickness and have a plan ahead of time.
In countries where malaria is prevalent or where you might be exposed, such as on safari in Botswana, you will most likely be prescribed an anti-malarial prophylactic. There are several options, each with potentially harmful side effects. Be sure to study all of your options.
Food-Borne Diseases
We can’t control how all of our food is prepared, but we can control what we put in our bodies. More than anything, use common sense when eating anything new or any place new.
Eating at a chain restaurant is no guarantee of eating uncontaminated food just as eating from a street vendor may be 100 percent safe. Avoid any place that looks – or smells – like it is serving spoiled food or where there is evidence of animal or insect infestation or unsanitary conditions, just as you would do on home turf.
Pools, Beaches and Resorts
Don’t drink the water!
No, I’m not talking about the tap water in a strange country (although you should exercise caution regarding that as well). I’m talking about pools, lakes and even ocean water. All can easily be contaminated.
Diarrheal diseases abound in the water, which is one reason why pools must maintain a high level of chlorine and why that level must be checked constantly. But rivers and oceans, too, are thriving locations for contaminants. And if you are already sick, refrain from swimming for the sake of everyone else.
With a little research and common sense, staying healthy on vacation is only be a little more complicated than staying safe at home.
