- Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on vaccines and health alerts at your destination and visit your doctor ideally, 4-6 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicine you may need.
- Strengthen your immune system before you travel by exercising and taking your vitamins.
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep the night before you fly.
- Pack healthy snacks for the plane (nuts, veggies, and fruits), but make sure to consume them in flight so as not to bring them into another country.
- Stay hydrated drink plenty of water, water, water.
- Skip the alcohol and caffeine.
- Keep your hands and your personal items out of the seat back pocket to avoid germs. (Imagine how many people have read that magazine!)
- Wash your hands and carry a travel size antibacterial sanitizer.
- Use sunscreen and insect repellant.
- Once you return home, see a doctor immediately if you are not feeling well or if you notice any abnormal changes in your body. Be sure to let the office know you have recently been out of the country. Many times an illness will take a few days to appear.
*Tips from Dr. Omur Cinar Elci, Chair of St. George’s University Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
These are all great tips! It’s such a bummer to travel somewhere and immediately get sick.