- While in an enclosed area with many people like the cabin
of an airliner wearing a surgical style mask is helpful to block some
bacteria, viruses pollen and dust, especially
germs propelled from sneezers.
- Stay hydrated.
Do not allow yourself or loved ones to dehydrate. Drink lots of water, especially with the
lower humidity of flight cabins.
Alcohol will increase your risk of dehydration, especially on long
flights.
- Exercise prudence when eating fruits or vegetables,
especially in foreign lands. Make
certain that if it is not cooked thoroughly by boiling or lengthy slow
roasting that you can peel the outer surface (like an orange.)
- Carefully select roasted or cooked meats, especially
in foreign lands. Not all bacteria
can be killed quickly over an open flame.
All meats, poultry, and fish should be cooked thoroughly.
- Use both sheets on the bed. Blankets and bedspreads are cleaned less
frequently than bed sheets. It is
more hygienic to have the often-washed sheets next to your skin than blankets.
- Use antiseptic towelettes
to wipe down items that might be a harbinger of bacteria, like the toilet
handle, telephone, or knobs.
- Latest studies have concluded that sitting for
protracted periods of time can increase the risk of internal blood
clots. The clot can travel and
lodge in other parts of your body often resulting in stroke. Standing,
stretching, twisting or other active movement can often allay this.
- Water and drinking (specially)
in foreign lands: Only drink
bottled water and make certain that the cap is factory-sealed. There are many stories about water
bottles filled from local non-purified sources and recapped with any cap
they can find. Confirm that the
bottle of water is delivered to you with the seal intact. Other drinks that are less risky are
alcoholic, bottled soft drinks, a boiling hot cup of coffee or tea. Ice is usually made from tap water and
subject to the same bacteria content.
- While on a
cruise or in a hotel don’t use the hot tub in
your room because there is often stagnant, potentially bacteria-laden
water remaining in the pump from the previous user and the staff usually
only cleans the basin.
- Tap water usually has some level of bacteria
present. Visiting a foreign country
and drinking the tap water can be risky.
While the tap water in most European and other westernized
countries have been well-treated,A
visitor from other countries coming to the US
may not be able to tolerate common bacteria in the water which may be
harmless to those in USA.
- In case you do get sick make certain to have your
vital medical information carried in your wallet. Include blood type, allergies, and
medications. Understand the limits
of your medical insurance, especially if you travel to foreign countries. Know that most policies have different
limits and exclusions if you are outside the United
States. Travel medical coverage available
through www.travelhealthinsurance.com,
www.nyig.com,
www.worldwidemedical.com, and www.medexassist.com, among others.
- Always check with a travel doctor to confirm that you
have inoculations and other preventative medications well before you
leave. Certain drugs for malaria
like Larium have newer replacements with fewer side affects. You should meet with the doctor a month
before departure to establish a timetable.
Reveal all of your intended travel points.
- For those that may have a sexual encounter with someone
other than a long-time partner, one word, condoms. Not sure? Then pack ‘em.
- It is close to impossible to avoid all risk. Remain
aware of the risks so you can make an informed choice regarding the level
of risk you can tolerate.