Stay Healthy While Traveling

With the summer in full swing, you may be getting excited about your travel plans.  Have fun during your trip but keep health and safety in mind.  Here are some pre-trip tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • Check with your doctor to make sure you have all recommended vaccines and medications for your trip.
  • Plan for unexpected emergencies. Consider travel insurance and talk with your health plan about coverage should you need it.  Leave copies of important documents with someone back home.
  • Enroll for free in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for early warnings about international travel and real help should you need it.
  • Pack smart with a health kit that contains prescription and non-prescription medications, a first aid kit, sanitizer, and your health insurance card.

During your trip, be sure to travel smart.  Consider these ideas from the CDC to stay healthy while having fun:

  • Choose safe transportation and assure your children are in appropriate car seats.
  • Be mindful while eating and drinking. Know your destination’s risk for contaminated food and water.  Generally, hot food, dry packaged food, and canned and bottled drinks are safer options.
  • Don’t get sunburned! Carry a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and reapply frequently while in the sun.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
  • If possible, avoid animals, including pets and wild animals, while traveling. Animals can carry rabies, and scratches and bites can get infected.
  • Be careful in the water. Water activities are cool and refreshing but be aware of water conditions and keep safety in mind.

After your trip, if you feel sick or have a fever, be sure to contact your doctor and inform them of any recent travel.

For more information about safe traveling, go to https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/survival-guide

For more information about the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, go to https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/smart-traveler-enrollment-program.html