Prepare for a Healthy Trip Abroad June 13, 2024 Travel industry experts forecast that international travel in 2024 by Americans will exceed pre-pandemic levels. If you’re among those planning a trip abroad, make your health a top priority on your pre-travel to-do list. From traveler’s diarrhea and severe sunburn to respiratory infections and insect-borne illness, travelers can pick up more than good memories on overseas trips. Adam Brady, MD, FIDSA, of Samaritan Infectious Disease – Corvallis, suggests that while planning your itinerary, you also consider any potential health challenges in the places you plan to visit. “Depending on where you’re headed, it’s important to know what types of disease or illness you could encounter. Many diseases not common in the United States can still be prevalent in other countries,” Dr. Brady said. As a starting point, Dr. Brady recommends checking with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler information website for health advisories related to your destination. Then get any needed vaccines or medications. “We recommend you plan at least one month before departure to go to a travel clinic like Samaritan’s International Travel Clinic to make sure all appropriate and required vaccines are current,” said Dr. Brady. “Our travel clinic has access to specialized vaccines like typhoid, yellow fever and tick-borne encephalitis, which are not commonly available elsewhere.” At your appointment, you can also discuss any health concerns related to your itinerary and how to best prepare for them. Seven Tips to Make the Best of Your Trip Minimize Exposure to Respiratory Illness Time spent in enclosed or crowded areas, such as a long flight, can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. “Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly and use hand sanitizer when you lack access to soap and water. Especially on an airplane with dry air, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the flight. You may also want to mask up in crowded areas or on the plane as well, especially if you are at high-risk for severe respiratory illness,” said Dr. Brady. Know How to Prevent Food-borne Illness While traveler’s diarrhea and other illnesses are more common in lesser developed parts of the world, you could still be exposed to contaminated food or drink that can make you feel miserable. “It’s a good practice to avoid lukewarm food that is intended to be eaten either cold or hot, avoid eating raw food and avoid foods prepared by street vendors,” said Dr. Brady. “If you want to cut up your own fruit or vegetables, be sure your hands are clean and that you thoroughly rinse the produce in water you know is clean.” When in Doubt, Choose Bottled or Canned Drinks Contaminated water can also cause traveler’s diarrhea and other illness. “In places where you know the water is contaminated, avoid tap water and ice made from tap water. But you still need to stay hydrated, so choose bottled water that is factory sealed. Steaming hot drinks are usually okay as well,” Dr. Brady noted. Prepare for Insect-borne Illnesses Depending on your destination, diseases such as malaria, Zika, Lyme, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever are carried and spread by insects like mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and flies. “Know what insects and diseases are common to the area you’ll be traveling in and take precautions. For example, if malaria is common to your destination, you’ll want to take preventative medications before you go; to avoid yellow fever, get vaccinated,” Dr. Brady explained. It is also important to use a good quality insect repellant and wear long sleeves and pants when in natural areas in high-risk parts of the world. Check Your Health Insurance Policy Before traveling, find out if your insurance policy covers medical care abroad. If it doesn’t, consider adding a separate policy for your trip. Also, consider preparing ahead for what could happen by locating the nearest hospitals to your destination and having those contacts with you during your trip. Pack a Travel Health Kit Talk with your doctor about your particular health conditions and what you should bring with you in addition to your regular prescriptions and supplies. Additionally, it’s helpful to include over-the-counter supplies for little emergencies. “Good items to bring include: an antidiarrheal medication, a pain reducer like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, a broad-spectrum sunscreen of 15 SPF or higher, N95 masks, first aid cream, a few bandages, and other first aid supplies,” Dr. Brady said. Photocopy Vital Documents Don’t forget to either take pictures on your cell phone or take photocopies with you of important documents, such as your passport, health insurance card, prescriptions and proof of vaccination for required vaccines. It wouldn’t hurt to also carry the phone number of your primary care physician back home and any necessary emergency numbers you might need at your destination. Travel can be exciting and exhilarating as well as stressful and exhausting. Most of all, don’t forget to pack your patience, compassion for others and sense of humor — all traits that may be called upon more often than you expect on a trip abroad. Learn more about Samaritan’s International Travel Clinic at samhealth.org/TravelClinic.
