Amardeep Athwal, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician with the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group. He sees patients at the Kaiser Permanente Ashburn Medical Center.
Nothing ruins a trip more than getting sick, but it happens all too often. Crowded spaces such as those found in airports are ripe for respiratory viruses. Cruise ships may be susceptible to norovirus. Traveling long distances may increase risk for deep vein thrombosis.
Here are some holiday travel health and safety tips that can help you feel your best whether you travel on a plane, train, ship, or car.
Before You Go
Before you hit the road, make sure you have enough of your prescription medications to get you through your trip. Order refills well in advance. It’s always wise to take a little extra so you are prepared for any travel delays. Don’t pack your medications in checked luggage.
Consider packing non-prescription medications too, especially if traveling internationally. Consider having acetaminophen, ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal medicine, hydrocortisone cream, an antacid, and an antihistamine on hand in case you need them.
If you are prone to motion sickness, pack medications for this or talk to your doctor about whether a prescription ear patch would be helpful. If you are going somewhere in high altitude, talk to your doctor about altitude medication.
And if you have diabetes, epilepsy, allergies to certain medications, or other serious medical conditions, including invisible disabilities, think about ordering a medical alert bracelet to wear while traveling.
Make sure your immunizations are up to date. Before you travel, make sure you and your family are vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu, and RSV if eligible. Children should be up to date on their shots. If you are traveling abroad, particularly to a second- or third-world country, reach out to your doctor before you travel to find out if you need additional immunizations.
Prepare your immune system. In the days and weeks before your trip, take extra care to eat a healthy diet, get adequate sleep and exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor about whether a multivitamin is right for you.
Staying Healthy While Traveling
If you are traveling through an airport, remember that people are coming and going from all over the world and the crowds are huge, particularly during the holiday season. The same goes for bus stations, train stations, and cruise ships. As people from around the world gather, they bring germs together in one place, especially as everyone touches door handles, railings, tray tables, and luggage carts. It’s the perfect environment for viruses to spread.
Many viruses spread by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face. My advice: Avoid touching your face before washing or sanitizing your hands. Bring hand sanitizer with you on trips. Also consider bringing sanitizing wipes to wipe down armrests, seat-back pockets, and tray tables.
Wearing a mask is another layer of protection against respiratory viruses.
I also recommend staying hydrated while traveling. Air travel in particular can be dehydrating, leading to cramps, headaches, and a general feeling of malaise. Drink plenty of water before and during air travel. (Remember that alcohol is dehydrating, so consider skipping drinks at the airport bar.) Bring empty water bottles to the airport and fill them after passing through security. Sometimes people hold in their urine while traveling. Try to avoid this: Holding your urine too long can increase risk of urinary tract infections.
Sitting for long stretches of time can increase risk of deep vein thrombosis, particularly in people over age 60, people who are pregnant or are on birth control pills or hormone therapy, people who smoke, and people with heart failure, a history of blood clots, or certain cancers. Whether on a plane, car, or bus, take a break every two to three hours to stand up and walk around. Stretch the legs, including the calves, to prevent dangerous blood clots in the legs. Wearing compression garments can improve circulation; talk to your doctor about whether these would be helpful.
Eating While Traveling
When traveling, and particularly on a cruise ship, make sure your food is properly warmed and hasn’t been sitting out for long. Noroviruses are a very real concern on cruises: Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis, food infection, and food poisoning. Noroviruses typically spread through contaminated water and foods, as well as from person to person. Wash hands often, make sure fruits and vegetables are washed, and make sure food hasn’t been left out.
Pack healthy snacks. When you are on the go, it’s easy to grab food from a vending machine or a fast food joint. But try to pack some healthy, easy-to-transport snacks. Eating healthy foods will help you feel your best when traveling and help you avoid stomach upset.
If You Get Sick While Traveling
If you do get sick while traveling, know that help is available. Kaiser Permanente members can do a Get Care Now visit and get advice over video or phone from a doctor anytime 24/7/365 from anywhere in the country. Within 30 minutes on average, you can discuss your concerns with a board-certified physician in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics. It’s also a good idea to know where an urgent care or hospital is at your destination.
Holiday travel can be stressful but can be a lot of fun too. To make the most out of holiday travel, try a few of these tips and enjoy your holiday trip!
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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