Travel Health Tips: What to Do If You Get Sick on Vacation

With the holiday season approaching, many of us are planning trips. No one wants their vacation interrupted by illness, but getting sick on vacation can happen. It’s helpful to know how to prepare for a healthy trip and what to do if sickness strikes.

Urgent care can be a great choice when a sudden medical need arises away from home. Amory Urgent Care in Amory, MS, is ready every day of the week to provide convenient, comprehensive care when you need it.

Preparing for Travel: Health Tips

Taking some simple steps to prepare for your trip can help you and your family stay healthy. These include:

• Health Kit: A portable kit including any health-related items you or your family may need on your trip can make all the difference. A well-stocked kit may include first aid supplies, an EpiPen (if applicable), sunscreen, medications (prescription and over-the-counter), a mask, and hand sanitizer. Depending on your destination, water disinfecting tablets and insect repellant may be useful.
• Medical Documents: You should bring any important health-related documents with you when you travel in case you need to visit a provider while on your trip. Documents may include health insurance cards (including travel insurance if you have it), a list of your medications, immunization records, and a list of any medication allergies. If you wear a medical alert bracelet, make sure you wear it while you travel.
• Careful Planning: It is helpful to ensure each family member packs appropriate clothing for the temperatures you expect. In planning your trip, it is also a good idea to incorporate adequate time for rest. An overly busy schedule, especially when combined with travel and jet lag, can leave you worn down and more susceptible to sickness.

How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

No one wants an unexpected illness to interrupt their vacation. Here are some health tips when traveling:

• Wash Hands: Though it seems simple, this is likely the most effective thing you and your family can do to stay healthy on a trip. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water can prevent a viral or bacterial illness. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Watch What You Eat: Staying hydrated and making healthy food choices (including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins) give your body the energy it needs and can keep your immune system strong while you travel. If you are traveling to an area with concerns about water quality or contaminated food, stick to bottled water and fully cooked foods to prevent food poisoning. Only eat fresh produce that you’ve peeled or carefully washed yourself.

Air Travel Health Tips

Traveling by plane is convenient and popular, but it is helpful to be mindful of a few things.

DVTs

Sitting still for a long time, like on a flight, can increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a blood clot that typically forms in your leg and can travel to your lungs, causing a dangerous condition called a pulmonary embolism. Though DVTs are rare, some things can increase your risk (recent surgery, a clotting disorder, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, or obesity).

Getting up and moving around every few hours can help keep the blood moving in your legs. Flexing your leg muscles and doing toe-raise exercises while seated may also be helpful.

Jet Lag

If you travel across multiple time zones, you could experience jet lag. Jet lag can cause fatigue and a disrupted sleep schedule, but you can reduce it with these tips:

• Get plenty of fluids.
• Avoid caffeine in the evening.
• Avoid alcohol, as it can disrupt sleep.
• Take a short nap (no more than 20 minutes) if sleepy during the day.

What to Do If You Get Sick

If you or a family member do get sick while traveling, make sure you take the time to seek out medical care. Certain illnesses, like those that involve diarrhea or vomiting, can cause dehydration and complications without medical attention.

Having your health insurance documents and any other medical information with you is essential. Knowing your current medications, medication allergies, and any chronic conditions can help a new provider provide safe and appropriate care.

Wishing You Healthy Travels

Amory Urgent Care wishes you a pleasant, enjoyable vacation. Keeping travel health tips in mind can ensure you and your family have an enjoyable trip while being prepared for an unexpected illness. If you get sick while traveling or live in the area, visit us at Amory Urgent Care. Our experienced team can provide the prompt, excellent care you need for a wide range of medical issues.