Minimize Travel Health Risks

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 468
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Common ailments can ruin a trip that was initially well planned out with careful research of cheap travel options and the purchase of cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages.

The following are common illnesses contracted when traveling and steps you can take to avoid getting sick:

Flying or driving long distances can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which is caused by long periods of sitting or lying still, resulting in blood pooling in the legs instead of flowing upward to the heart. DVT can result in swelling and aching, and ultimately to clots that can break off and travel into the pulmonary circulation system.

Travelers can lower the risk of developing clots by getting up and walking every couple of hours even if it just walking up and down an airplane aisle. It is also recommended that travelers try simple exercises to keep their legs mobile and flexible while seated. Raising and lowering heels while keeping toes on the floor and tightening and releasing leg muscles to stimulate blood flow can help ward off DVT.

Norovirus is a gastrointestinal illness ...
... whose symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, low grade fever and chills. It can result in severe dehydration and particularly affect the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly.

You can minimize your exposure to this virus by washing your hands frequently, including before and after using the bathroom, coughing and sneezing into your arm vs. your hand, and traveling with antibacterial gel to use on your hands and wipes to clean off surfaces like remote controls, tray tables and latches to overhead compartments.

Montezuma’s Revenge is a bacterial infection that usually occurs from eating or drinking something contaminated with E. coli. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe diarrhea, vomiting, cramping and exhaustion, with dehydration being the most serious can hide effect.

While Pepto-Bismol sometimes helps, if the sufferer is not going to be near a bathroom for a couple of hours, he should take something like Imodium to slow down the symptoms. Antibiotics are often needed. The best medicine is prevention which can be best be had by remembering your food and drink needs to either be boiled, cooked, peeled, come from a bottle, or not eaten.
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