[Guest post] Health tips for international travel
Vern is an expert writer on a variety of topics including travel, world politics, and staying healthy. He’s also a writer on a new Q&A site, answering questions with his expertise in a variety of topics.
The Healthy Traveler: Tips For An International Wanderer
When you think about your upcoming travel adventures, how do you see yourself in the daydream – healthy, robust, and ready to take on anything, or coughing, frail, and ready for a nap?
Every international wanderer knows that if you don’t want your daydream trip to turn into a sickly nightmare, you need to take some simple steps to ensure your health as you travel. Here are a few basic tips for keeping you on your toes and enjoying your adventures to the fullest – after all, no one wants to find out if French bacteria say “Oui, merci!”
- Rest Up Ahead of Time – Most bugs that get you down in the form of colds, flus, and other transient (but disruptive!) illnesses do their damage by getting through a weakened immune system. Keep those white blood cells in fighting shape by ensuring you get lots of rest before your travels, because as we all know once you’re out there globetrotting sleep takes a back seat to fun.
- Bring Anti-Bacterial Soap – For the healthy traveler, this might be one of the most important things to happen. Ever. Anti-bacterial soap can go anywhere and kill almost anything. It doesn’t need water, and it is sold in a variety of sizes, meaning you can have one for just about every pocket, plus one for your carry-on bag, plus one for your checked luggage. Don’t go anywhere without this serious life saver!
- Hydrate with Water – Keeping hydrated is just as important for your immune system as sleep. In addition, staying hydrated can keep you from feeling jet lagged and also help flush out any toxins or bacteria from your system before it can take root and cause problems. Drinking lots of water is always a good rule of thumb. Some countries even have better drinking water than in the US, so you might not always need to drink bottled water. Check with the locals, or a tour guide if you have one to see what their thoughts are on the drinking water in your area.
- Don’t Pet the Llama…or any other animal – As cute as that llama in the Andes might be, refrain from touching at all costs. Animals are massive carriers of germs and one of the number one ways unsavory microscopic beings get transferred into human bodies. Take all the pictures you want, but just try to stay away from those cute little critters, no matter how cuddly they look!
- BYOP: Bring Your Own Pharmacy – It’s always a great idea to carry a mini pharmacy with you when you travel to not only keep you prepared for any problem but also help you deal with little inconveniences, like headaches, gas, bloating, and the runs. Also, who knows where you might end up and what types of medicines they will have there…do you really want to try to explain you need aspirin to a village healer in Ethiopia? You should, however, be concerned with explaining your medication to the authorities. So, before you head out on your next adventure be sure to check with your information sources on any particular restrictions that have to do with bringing pharmaceutical drugs into other countries.
Bon Voyage!
