Travel is a big part of the holiday season, with statistics showing that more than 119 million Americans plan to take some type of trip between Christmas and New Year.
Unfortunately, traveling also increases your risk of getting sick, but there are steps you can take to increase your chances of staying healthy when you're away from home.
“When you travel“When you're on the road, there's a lot of potential for stress and disorientation,” Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital.
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“You're not in your usual habitat, and that can make people disoriented, upset, anxious, or even sleep deprived, especially during time zone changes.”
Siegel shared some of his best tips for prevent disease during vacation trips.
Traveling increases your risk of getting sick, but there are steps you can take to increase your chances of staying healthy when you're away from home. (iStock)
1. Stay well hydrated
Staying hydrated has been shown to strengthen the immune system and protect against disease.
Water is always best, but other hydrating liquids include plain coffee or tea, sparkling or flavored waters, 100% plant-based juices, and milk or milk alternatives.
2. Follow your exercise routine
It's best to travel while “well exercised,” Siegel said.
“If you have a regular exercise routineI wouldn’t suspend it a week before the trip,” he said.
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“If you exercise regularly, sleep well and eat right before you go, I think it puts you in much better shape when you travel.”
3. Wipe the surfaces
Siegel said he “strongly believes” in wiping down surfaces, especially when travel by plane.
“You wouldn’t believe what these surfaces wear – we’ve studied it,” he said. “There are a lot of germs on this tray, and it’s the person next to you who could be sick.”
“You wouldn’t believe what these surfaces wear – we’ve studied it,” Siegel said. “There are a lot of germs on this tray, and it’s the person next to you who could be sick.” (iStock)
4. Stay up to date on vaccines
“When you are about to go on a trip, it is a good time to ask yourself if you are aware your vaccines” said Siegel.
According to the doctor, one vaccine that is not given enough attention is Tdap, a combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (cough).
It is administered at least once every five to ten years.
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“There’s a ton of whooping this year,” Siegel said. “Thousands of cases are reported, but many thousands are not.”
The doctor also recommends the shingles vaccine for people over 50 and the pneumonia vaccine for people 60 and over.
“When you're about to go on a trip, it's a good time to ask yourself if you're up to date on your vaccinations,” Siegel said. (iStock)
“When you're stressed from traveling, that might be when you might get sick,” Siegel said, because the immune system isn't functioning at an optimal level.
“When you're stressed about traveling, that might be when you might get sick.”
“That’s when shingles could reappear,” he warns. “Shingles is actually a chickenpox virus it lies dormant in your body for years, but can resurface during times of stress. »
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive the COVID and flu vaccines, with rare exceptions.
5. Pack a travel health kit
For those who take multiple medications daily, the doctor recommends traveling with just one pill bottle and putting the different pills in it, which reduces the risk of loss.
“Make sure you have enough,” he advised. “You never know when you're going to be delayed, especially around vacation trip“.
Siegel recommends bringing three or four extra days' worth of pills for all medications. (iStock)
Siegel recommends bringing three or four extra days' worth of pills for all medications.
“Depending on what chronic illnesses you have, it’s a good idea to keep up to date with blood tests and visits to your doctor” before traveling, he added.
6. Get enough, quality sleep
It can be difficult to maintain a regular sleep cycle when traveling, Siegel noted, especially when time zones change.
“The more winks you can catch while traveling, the better off you will be,” he said.
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For those who have trouble falling asleep on the road, Siegel recommends identifying what makes you fall asleep at home and using those same techniques.
“I get asked for sleeping pills a lot,” he said. “For people who take long trips, I am personally uncomfortable give medicine if the patient has not already taken it.
7. Use masks as needed
While masks “have a bad reputation” during the pandemic Because of the mandates, Siegel noted that these are tools that can be used for those who are sick or at higher risk.
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“If you are a person exposed to a risk infectious disease or if you have a chronic illness, the last thing you need is to get the flu, COVID, or RSV. »
While masks “have gotten a bad rap” during the pandemic due to mandates, Siegel noted that they are tools that can be used for those who are sick or at higher risk. (iStock)
The doctor recommends considering wearing a mask for small spaces where there are a lot of people.
“You don’t know what they have or what they’re housing,” he said.
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“That’s why I would consider one, especially if you’re high risk.”
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Overall, Siegel said, “stay hydrated, eat well and sleeping properly as best as possible is the best way to reduce stress while traveling.
