Try Reducing Risk of Getting Sick During Holiday Travel

The holiday season is here and you may be preparing for holiday travel. Whether by land or air, we’ve got ways to help you stay healthy while on the go.

Unfortunately, all that travel forces people into often-crowded airplanes, automobiles and airports. And there’s the sharing of hugs and kisses with loved ones upon arrival at their destination.

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‘Advice might differ depending on you personal medical history, the destination you are travelling to, and your travel schedule. The best advice is get vaccinated for all vaccine-preventable illnesses.’

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The result can be a cold or other bug that dims the holiday cheer, says Dr. Tara Vijayan, assistant professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

“As much as we try to control our environment, there are risks we cannot avoid,” she said. “There will be people who get sick despite their best intentions. But we can all certainly do our part to reduce our risk.”

The main culprits are respiratory viruses that cause the common cold or bronchitis. These include adenovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), parainfluenza, and influenza. People with underlying lung disease, who have weakened immune systems, and infants or the elderly are particularly vulnerable to serious consequences of these viruses, Vijayan said.

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Holiday travelers should also be wary of diarrheal illnesses, such as Salmonella or Campylobacter. These illnesses are more common in less developed countries where access to clean water is limited. However, they can effect travelers in all locations.

There are measures for reducing your risk of getting sick, Vijayan says, including:

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Wash your hands with soap and water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds under running water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

In less-developed countries, avoid any unpeeled raw fruits or vegetables and only consume cooked food if possible. Avoid tap water and ice cubes. Only drink bottled or treated water.

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Get vaccinated for all vaccine-preventable illnesses. These include influenza, typhoid fever (a type of Salmonella), hepatitis A and B, and pertussis. It takes about a week for the body to develop immunity following vaccination.

Be sure you are immune to measles, mumps and rubella, given the recent outbreaks of these illnesses all over the world, including the United States and Europe.

Source-Newswise