8 Simple Tips To Avoid Getting Sick When You Travel
Travelling the world can expose you to new germs, parasites, and unfamiliar environments that can increase your chances of getting sick–speaking from experience!
However, the good news is that there are numerous ways to minimise the risk and stay as healthy as possible during your journey, so you can enjoy your dream adventures.
Here are my tips to help you avoid getting sick on your travels.
Quick disclaimer, I’m not a medical professional! This is just advice based on the precautions I personally take, so please don’t take this as professional medical advice. I’d still recommend consulting a health professional for trips that require it.
Get A Reusable Filtered Water Bottle
As many of us know, tap water is not suitable for consumption in a lot of places around the world–and that’s assuming you even have access to tap water anyway; If you’re hiking the Inca Trail, for example, aside from buying plastic bottled water, your only source of water might be a stream.
While bottled water is a good fall back, it’s incredibly wasteful (and it can get expensive!).
I recommend you get yourself a filtered, reusable bottle–they make almost any water safe to drink (with the exception of salt water), so you won’t be getting sick from contaminated water, and you’ll save yourself a small fortune on single-use plastic bottled water!
Wash Your Hands
Hand hygiene is always important, and probably more so when you’re visiting new places.
While it may seem obvious, washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent illnesses such as food poisoning, diarrhoea, flu and hepatitis A, for example, so don’t forget to do it regularly.
Carrying a hand sanitiser is something I always do as a backup!
Don’t Be Afraid Of Familiar Food
Sampling local cuisine is one of the joys of travelling, and something I encourage anyone to embrace on their adventures. However, diving straight into spicy or unfamiliar foods can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, particularly if your system isn’t used to it.
If you experience food intolerance, it’s usually because your digestive system struggles with the new foods, causing cramps, diarrhoea, gas, and heartburn. It’s generally not serious and passes quickly.
To ease into new cuisines, mix things up a bit and don’t hesitate to fall back on familiar meals from time to time.
Be Cautious About Food Safety
No one wants to suffer from stomach issues whilst abroad. To avoid problems like E. coli, Salmonella, or Giardia, ensure the food you eat is fresh, properly cooked, and hot.
A good rule of thumb is to eat where the locals go. If it’s busy with locals, it’s likely safe to eat there.
Be on the lookout for good hygiene practices, such as food handlers wearing gloves, separating money-handling from food preparation, and regular hand-washing.
An upset stomach isn’t uncommon when we’re travelling to new destinations, and sometimes it’s inevitable, but you can reduce the chances.
Protect Yourself From The Sun
Sunburn can ruin a trip! I’ve been severely sunburnt after neglecting to reapply sunscreen, and it’s not an experience I’d care to repeat!
Beyond sunburn, staying hydrated and covering up with loose clothing, for example, is key, especially in hot or tropical climates.
If you’re not careful, dehydration can quickly lead to more serious issues like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and no one wants that.
Stay Up to Date with Vaccinations
Vaccinations aren’t required for every trip, but it’s always a good idea to consult a medical professional to check what you need before travelling.
I’d recommend booking a consultation for vaccinations as early as possible.
There are various routine vaccinations you might need, like DTP, MMR, and hepatitis B. Then there’s recommended vaccines, like cholera, rabies, or typhoid, and finally required vaccinations–for certain countries, vaccinations like yellow fever are mandatory, and you’ll need to show proof of vaccination for entry.
Pack The Essentials
It’s a good idea to prepare for any minor injuries or illnesses by packing a little first aid kit.
I take things like painkillers, bandages, hydrocortisone cream, antiseptic ointment, and of course insect repellent–keep those disease-carrying mosquitoes away!
Allow Your Body To Acclimatise To Altitude (If Applicable)
If you’re going on a trip which involves altitudes, like going to Machu Picchu, you should allow your body to adjust, to avoid altitude sickness.
It’s a good idea to ascend gradually if you can, to allow your body to adjust to the lower oxygen levels.
I’d also recommend staying hydrated, eating a diet rich in carbs, and avoiding alcohol and smoking, as they hinder acclimatisation.
Conclusion
I follow these steps to help reduce the chance of getting sick on my travels, but that doesn’t mean it never happens.
It’s one of the reasons that having travel insurance is so important, so don’t forget to get that before you travel!
