How to Avoid Common Travel-Related Illnesses and Injuries
If you’re travelling for business, getting sick is one of the worst possible outcomes of your trip. Business travellers have always been at risk for experiencing a medical emergency while in a foreign country. This has become abundantly clear over the past few months. With increased efforts to contain Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), business travel has slowed outside of China and Asia.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like disease has highlighted, once again, the importance of business travellers maintaining their health while on the road. Given how easy it is to catch a cold while cooped up in an aeroplane for hours at a time, that’s easier said than done. To avoid contracting common travel-related infections, we advise that you take the following precautions.
Get your house in order
Preventing diseases spread by travel starts long before you even leave for the airport. You can protect yourself from getting sick on a plane, bus, or train by making sure your immune system is in good shape before you leave. The last few hours before a trip are always the most nerve-wracking. But if you make it a point to work out frequently, get plenty of shut-eye, and eat sensibly, you should be in fine shape for your trip.
Consult your physician about the best way to move forward and safeguard yourself if you have any health concerns or doubts. If you’re thinking about taking any kind of medication, including vitamins, you should make sure you don’t have any allergies to those substances. Travel with Delta Airlines and discover the healthy flight ever.
Be wary of the water you consume
Montezuma’s Revenge is so named for good reason. The COVID-19 epidemic has shifted the focus entirely to respiratory illnesses. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 20%-50% of travellers (roughly 10 million people) get sick every year due to foodborne or waterborne illnesses like travellers’ diarrhoea (TD). Ingestion of the organisms responsible for TD causes the aforementioned symptoms. These organisms are typically reported from countries with lower hygiene standards, but they are not limited to those regions. The takeaway from this is obvious. If you’re not sure, drink bottled water.
Never eat anything from an unknown source
For the same reasons stated above, those with a weak stomach should stay away from street food and other foods prepared in questionable environments. Eating food that has not been properly cooked can cause illness from pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. Choose something that you know will be cooked or fried thoroughly if you must eat food from the street or a restaurant. Fresh seafood and unpasteurized milk and cheeses are two examples of foods to avoid.
Utilise preventative drugs
Your business trip may necessitate the use of malaria prophylaxis if it takes you to rural areas of Asia or Africa. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes malaria as “a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans.” Extreme heat, flu-like symptoms, and blood loss are all possible outcomes.
Keep in mind that your business trip will most likely take you to one of the world’s major cities, where the incidence of malaria is extremely low. However, if you are going to a region where malaria is common, you should consult a physician about getting prophylactic medicines that can be taken before, during, and after your trip.
Obtain a hand wash
While it may seem obvious, you’d be surprised at how often people skip this step.
Researchers from the University of Florida found that the average person touches their face 23 times per hour. What about the things we regularly handle and touch if that’s the case? Things like doorknobs, lift buttons, money, and office furniture all fall into this category. Due to the prevalence of face-to-face contact, the prevalence of public high-touch points, and the prevalence of inadequate hand hygiene, many people are susceptible to contracting infectious diseases.
It is possible to prevent getting TD, food poisoning, the flu, norovirus, and other infectious diseases just by practising good hand hygiene. Soap and water should be used for at least 30 seconds before and after eating, and also after using the loo. You can use hand sanitizer in place of a bathroom if you find yourself in such a situation.
Obtain some sort of travel insurance
If you need to cancel your business trip because of an unexpected medical issue, having travel insurance will alleviate a lot of stress. Getting travel insurance allows you to concentrate on work rather than potential problems while away.
A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective option for occasional business travellers. A yearly multi-trip policy, however, may be more cost-effective if you must frequently travel for business. It’s also a good idea to review your company’s travel policy to find out if you’re covered while on business trips.
Bring a first aid kit
If your company provides you with travel health insurance, packing a health kit may seem unnecessary. However, it is wise to keep a supply of basic medical equipment and medications on hand, including both over-the-counter and prescription options.
The following are some things to think about packing in your kit:
- Medication prescribed by a doctor, such as an antibiotic to treat TD
- If necessary, malaria medication
- Possibly an inhaler
- Medicine to combat allergies, if required
- Medicines that prevent diarrhoea (like Pepto-Bismol)
- Chest rubs
- Lozenges
- Treatment for aches and fever
- Sanitizer for hands
- Cleanser for antiseptic wounds
- Bandages
- Nonreusable gloves
- Mask for the face
- Try to work out as much as possible.
Exercising has numerous well-documented health benefits. Exercising not only makes you healthier overall, but it also makes your immune system stronger. As a result, having a robust immune system will protect you from illness.
When planning a trip via Emergency Flights Ticket, it’s easy to let your workout routine fall by the wayside. It’s easy to find out if a hotel has a fitness centre if you know which one you’ll be staying at. No gym? Get your running shoes ready and do a quick lap around your hotel’s neighbourhood. You can also work up a sweat by doing push-ups, burpees, and yoga in the comfort of your own home.
Don’t let your next business trip get you sick
Whether or not you’re worried about contracting COVID-19, travelling can be physically taxing. But you can improve your chances of staying healthy throughout your next business trip by taking some simple precautions before you leave.
In a nutshell, keep the following in mind:
- Take care of your health at home.
- Be wary of the resources you rely on for sustenance.
- Get your medicine in order ahead of time.
- Keep hand sanitizers on hand and use them frequently.
- Stay away from people’s faces and other high-touch areas.
- Obtain some sort of travel insurance
- Bring a first aid kit
- Keep in shape while on the road.
Conclusion
To avoid common travel-related illnesses and injuries, it is important to take certain precautions and follow essential guidelines. Firstly, ensure you are up to date with routine vaccinations and consider additional vaccinations based on your travel destination. Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently or using hand sanitizers. Avoid consuming tap water and opt for bottled water, and be cautious with food choices, opting for properly cooked and hot meals.
To prevent insect-borne illnesses, use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, and sleep under mosquito nets if necessary. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. It is crucial to practice safe sex and use barrier methods to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Stay physically active during long flights to reduce the risk of blood clots and practice proper ergonomics to prevent muscle strains. Take precautions to avoid accidents, such as following traffic rules, wearing seat belts, and using appropriate safety equipment for activities like water sports or hiking.
Finally, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover medical emergencies and familiarize yourself with the healthcare facilities available at your destination. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering common travel-related illnesses and injuries.
