When you book a vacationyou're expected to get away, have fun, and come home with fantastic memories – not an illness. But no matter where you go or how you get there, it's common to experience sniffles or pain after a trip. Fortunately, catching a cold or flu is not the case. to have to be part of your vacation package.
While there's no way to guarantee you'll avoid falling victim to germs, doctors say there are several things you can do to increase your chances of staying healthy during and after your trip. Here are their best tips.
Prepare your immune system in advance
Getting a flu shot before your trip is essential, says Alabama-based family doctor Ankrehah Trimble Johnson, DO. In fact, getting vaccinated could reduce the risk of needing to see a doctor for the flu by 40 to 60%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, to give your body enough time to build up immunity, you should get vaccinated at least two weeks before departure. This is especially important for people at higher risk of developing flu-related health complications, including people ages 65 and older, says Daniel Opris, DO, a primary care physician based in Ohio.
Another way to boost your immune system before traveling is to take daily supplements such as vitamin C and zinc before you leave. Both vitamin C and zinc are powerful antioxidants which can help strengthen your immune system and protect you against viruses. “Starting taking these supplements while you're about to travel probably won't do much,” notes Barbara Bawer, MDfamily physician and clinical assistant professor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. For maximum effect, she suggests starting them at least a month before you leave and continuing to take them while you're away. (These travel pill cases can help you organize everything during your trip.)
Avoid tourist spots during peak hours
It can be difficult, depending on where you are, but the fewer people you come into contact with, the less likely you are to catch a virus, Dr. Johnson says. Indeed, colds and flu are often transmitted by airborne viral droplets. So if you enter a small space (think: a museum or theater) and have several people coughing or sneezing around you, your risk of getting sick increases. “If you can avoid being in the center of crowds and in close quarters, it can keep you healthier,” says Dr. Johnson. “Keep your personal space personal. »
One way to avoid potential exposure to germs without missing the unmissable hot spots is to simply avoid peak hours. Google can tell you how busy a restaurant or attraction is expected to be that day, based on recent data. And if all else fails and you have to be in the middle of a crowd, wear a well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask. Research found that it can reduce your chances of catching COVID-19 by 83%.
