Post subject: Travel health

Some good links for anyone traveling...

http://www.masta.org/
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

Aaron

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What things should you be aware in terms of your health, when you are traveling?

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Ooooh... lots of things...

1. whether you are fit to travel
2. what dangers you face where you are going
3. whether you have take necessary precautions/vaccinations
4. whether you have suitable insurance

Aaron

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I get 1 and 4. 3, yeah, kind of. Could you elaborate on 2?

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3... only "kind of"??? Certain countries have malaria, hepatitis, etc. You need to take precautions for those kinds of things...

As for 2... it depends on what you're doing and where you're going. If you're going to NYC, which parts of the city are safe and when. If you're on safari, is it safe to leave the vehicle in? Those kinds of things...

Aaron

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It is safe to assume that if you don't take precautions, you can be highly susceptible to certain diseases. For example, if you go to an area that's rife with malaria and you don't take antimalarial drugs, then there's every possibility that you could get it.

Aaron

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Hey, I have a question for you. There are different types of flu, right? Do you get vaccinated before you travel to a different country where you might catch different types of flu from types of flu you get back in England? If you've never done it before, have you at least considered it?

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That wouldn't be a good idea as a certain percentage of those who get the vaccine, get the virus.

When it involves a vacation, you are better off with the risk of getting the flu when there rather than before.

If you get the flu there it would only affect the end of your vacation where as if it was from the vaccine you may lose out the whole time.

Not to mention they would need a "Plane Shot" as thats where you are most likely to get something (read: recycled air for 8 hours)

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Most people that go on vacation and get sick, do so from the plane. Because they have to recycle the cabin air for the entire flight, its like being in close contact with everyone on the plane.

International flights might mean trading germs with several hundred people.

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Is there anything you can do to reduce your chances of getting sick? For example, can wearing a mask reduce your chances?

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Here are the best 5 things you can do:

1.) Your best defense is to wash your hands often, and avoid touching your face. You infect yourself with cold and flu germs by picking them up on your hands when you touch doorknobs and other surfaces and then carry the germs on your fingers to your mouth, eyes or nose.

2.) Rub liquid vitamin E into your nostrils or use a saline nasal spray during your flights to keep the mucous membranes in your nose moist and efficient.

3.) Take echinacea (one dropper of the tincture in a little water four times a day) plus an immune-boosting tonic such as Host Defense from New Chapter (available at health-food stores) or astragalus to help your immune system fight off germs in the air.

4.) Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine when flying because both can worsen the dehydration caused by low humidity on planes and make it harder for your body to adjust to time changes.

5.) Drink lots of water, and if possible, bring your own pillow or scarf to cover the airline's pillow if you plan to sleep during your flights.

Cheers