Tag Archives: healthy while traveling

How to Beat Jet Lag Quickly and Safely

If you’ve ever traveled across time zones, you know that jet lag can be debilitating and can influence your normal circadian rhythm, making you tired too early in the day or causing you to wake up too early in the morning. Jet lag can specifically cause physical fatigue and mental fog. Beating jet lag is all about managing and adapting your sleep pattern to your new location and time zone. Here is the latest and proven advice to keep your body clock ticking when traveling and to beat jet lag quickly.

1. Drink lots of water

Hydrate before, during, and after the flight! Dehydration is one of the biggest causes of jet lag, so drink as much as possible. How to know if you’re drinking enough: Keep downing water so that you visit the bathroom once an hour. After you pass through TSA security, buy a bottle of water (or bring an empty one from home) and fill it at a hydration station at the airport.

2. Avoid alcohol to beat jet lag

Alcohol has the opposite effect of hydration. Alcohol dehydrates you and can impact your sleep negatively. While it can relax you and help with falling asleep it is a sleep disruptor and lessens the quality of your sleep.

3. Use a Melatonin supplement

Melatonin is a hormone made by your body. The pineal gland in your brain produces and secretes Melatonin to help regulate biological rhythms such as sleep and wake cycles. Use Melatonin to help you sleep on the flight and during the first one to three nights at your destination. Try Melatonin at home to see which dose is most effective for you. Start with a low dose and work your way up if necessary. Ask your doctor for a recommendation.

4. Block out noise and light in flight

Most likely, you sleep in quiet and dark conditions at home. Additionally, you’re warm under a blanket. Try to replicate that environment the best you can while flying towards your destination. While first-class offers you a blanket, pillow, eyeshades, and, best of all, seats that recline all the way so you have a bed. I recommend making your economy seat as cozy for sleep as possible. Bring your own noise-canceling headphones, earplugs , eyeshades, a pillow designed for sleeping in an upright position, and a lightweight blanket or shawl.

5. Adjust to the new time immediately

Set your watch to the time of your destination the moment you take off and try to eat, and sleep accordingly. This mental trick helps make you feel as if you’re already acclimated to the new time.

6. Don’t nap upon arrival

Don’t take a quick nap upon arrival. No matter how tired you are, push through it and stay awake. For the first two nights, try to stay awake until 9 p.m. local time. Your internal clock should adjust within 48 to 72 hours.

7. Don’t sleep in to help beat lag

You’re tired and groggy, and your head feels heavy, and all you want to do is sleep. Don’t do it, don’t sleep in past 9 am at your new local time. Remember, it’s all about recalibrating your body clock or circadian rhythm quickly. Reset going to bed early, no matter how difficult, stay up until at least 9 pm. This, too, will help you minimize jet lag.

8. Go outside upon arrival

One of the best ways to sync your body to the new time zone is to go outside for a walk to envelop yourself in the natural light. Your body will begin to “read” what time it is. Some say try to go barefoot in a park for about 20 minutes. Getting your bare feet on earth will help discharge the static charge that builds up in you on the plane, which will allow your cells to recharge with healthy energy.

Final Thoughts on Beating Jet Lag When Traveling

Getting your brain in the new time zone is critical to preventing jet lag. Therefore the most effective way to beat jet lag is all about managing your sleep. The idea is to adjust your sleep pattern quickly to your destination’s time zone.

Best Tip for Storing Travel Medications

I personally keep them in my toiletry bag and never take them out, so they are always on hand for my next trip. The trick to not packing your whole medicine chest or liquids is to look for travel-sized packages of tablets, as they are light and take up minimal space in your luggage. Make sure you check the expiration date on the individual packages of your travel medications each time you go.

Should You Contact Your Doctor Before Travel?

If you’re going to a more exotic destination, visit a travel clinic first. The clinic doctor can help with vaccines and prescription travel medications. Contact your physician if you need to travel with prescriptions or medical devices. Take photos with your phone or photocopies of your prescription bottles and scripts in case of loss while you’re traveling. Having your exact dose, physician’s name and contact information available can help facilitate getting replacements in another location.

Our Top 8 Picks for Over the Counter Medications Smart Travelers Keep Handy

Anti Diarrheal and Heartburn Medication

Stomach Upsets and gastrointestinal issues are the number one sicknesses travelers fall victim to. Diarrhea is usually caused by contaminated food or water or by bacteria that your system is not used to. Rich foods, strange water, and spices are enough to cause problems for even the heartiest of travelers. Whatever the cause, you want relief as soon as you feel bad. Select tablets or capsules, as these forms won’t leak and make a mess inside your bags. Tablets and capsules are also lightweight, which is another advantage over the liquid form of relief.
Pack: Imodium or Nexium.

2. Pain and Fever Medication

These medicines can help with achy feet, sore muscles, headaches brought on by high altitude or jet lag, and so much more. One of the most typical complaints of travelers is general aches and pain caused by walking. You can easily log a lot more miles walking in urban settings in a day than you do at home. Too much walking can cause achy feet, a sore back, and overusing of muscles. Make sure you select a medication that doesn’t interfere with any other medications you’re taking. If you’re unsure as t which type of pain reliever is best for you a quick call or email to your doctor will clarify your choice.
Pack Advil or Tylenol

3. Over the Counter Motion Sickness Medicine

Feeling motion sickness in a car, bus, train, or cruise ship is absolutely awful. Nausea and dizziness can make the journey unbearable for you and your companions, especially if you’re prone to vomiting during your bouts of motion sickness.
Counter the effects with motion relief medicines Pack: Dramamine or Bonine.

4. Over the Counter Mild Laxative

Here we go with more tummy ailments. Sometimes, when you’re on the go, it is tough “to go.” Different foods, water, and getting used to any time changes can have an unpleasant effect on your digestive system. We recommend looking for products that are tablets or capsules that can’t accidentally spill into your luggage. When looking for a travel laxative, look for a mild formula, one you may have already tried. You don’t want any uncomfortable surprises.
Pack Miralax

5. Over the Counter Antihistamine

Allergies can spring up in a new climate; don’t suffer the misery of a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, or sneezing. Different locations, even just a couple of hours away from home, can be a new micro-climate. A new micro-climate or location can encourage different grasses, flora, and other allergy-triggering plants to create a miserable experience for you. And don’t think that an urban or city location is exempt from triggering allergies.
Pack Claritin or Zyrtec

6. Over the Counter Cough Drops and Suppressant

You’re at an increased risk of getting sick while traveling. Usually, it’s only a cold or related symptoms. Those symptoms can be irritating to you and your companions. Cough suppressants can help soothe your throat so you don’t cough as much, and a suppressant does, well, what the name implies. Pack Halls or Cough Relief Soft Gels

7. Over the Counter Decongestant

One of the worst feelings is a stuffy nose, a runny nose, or a sinus pressure headache, especially when flying when the changes in altitude can cause discomfort and even pain. Look for non-drowsy formulas. Benadryl can cause drowsiness, so be careful when using it. We like to opt for non-drowsy formulas. Pack: Sudafed or Mucinex

8. Over the Counter Sleep Aid

These can come in handy to help overcome jet lag, noisy sleeping conditions, and uncomfortable sleeping conditions while en route. Frequent flyers keep a sleep aid handy in their carry-on for longer overnight flights. Read the packaging so you don’t inadvertently find yourself groggy upon arrival at your destination. You certainly don’t want to drive in a sleepy state. Consider using eyeshades and earplugs to also assist in getting the rest you want.
Pack Unisom or Melatonin

Travel confidently by thinking ahead and having solutions in your bag for any minor inconveniences and symptoms that travel may throw your way. Over-the-counter travel medications can help you feel better, sleep well, and get the most out of your travels.

Bonus Tip:

Keep your small bottles of travel medications (pills or soft gels only) with your toiletry bag. That way, you’ll remember to bring them with you and the comfort they can provide. If you’re a mom of a young child, store and bring any medicines they may need in the same fashion. Lastly, keep other medication information here, too.

PillMap^TM – Don’t Fly Without it!

Did you know that 43 percent of Americans take at least one prescription medication each day? Seventeen percent take at least three. And even people who pop as few pills as possible typically pack extra medication in anticipation of out-of-the-ordinary circumstances. For instance, you may not regularly take allergy meds but carry them as a precaution when traveling to a new city. Or, it may be a good idea to pack anti-nausea medication if you’re heading somewhere with an unfamiliar fare. With so much medication to manage, make sure you take extra care when it comes to packing and traveling with pills. The inexpensive, easy solution for managing medications on the road or at home is PillMap^TM.

Before Your Trip-Up Date Your Pillmap

Gather all of your medications, including extras that are not part of your normal routine.
For each med, add the generic name of the drug and purpose under the line on each cardboard card. For example, under Prodaxa (which is the manufacturer’s name), write “Dabigatran” and a description, such as “blood thinner.”) This will help in the event replacements are necessary if your travels take you to another country.
Once you have completed the card, take a picture of the front and back of it to send to family members. This will help if they need to speak to doctors or pharmacists on your behalf in the event of an emergency.

The PillMap Speeds Up Travel

Speed things up at TSA. Up your game by presenting agents with a completed PillMap^TM. TSA and Customs’ agents can use the card to cross-check any pills you might be carrying in baggies or pillboxes. Bring a list of your prescriptions, as well, to further speed the process.
Reduce stress. Travel often involves ever-changing time zones, demanding schedules, mentally draining meetings and even much-needed relaxation by the pool. All of these can lead to the perfect storm in terms of thoughtful medication mismanagement. Keep PillMap^TMin your hotel room for easy reference.

About PillMap^TM

PillMap^TM takes the guesswork out of medication management. It is easily customizable to fit patient and caregiver needs, including maintaining consistency and safety in hand-offs between multiple caregivers. We’ve poured our learning and our care into PillMap™. We want you to put your time and your attention to the one you love, instead of pill bottles. Don’t take a chance with your loved one’s health. Order PillMap^TM today.

Medications change? No problem. PillMap^TM is easy to re-customize with new meds or routines. With a pocket for a visual sample pill to make sure the meds are correct, PillMap^TM was designed for once-a-day meds or multiple medications throughout the day. You customize it to your needs! It is simple to use, highly affordable, and puts you in control.

PillMap Helps First Responders

During an emergency first responders and medical personnel need to know which medications a patient is on. Rest easy knowing you, or your loved one just need to hand over the PillMap to the first responder.

Personal Comfort on Board

Inflatable Neck Pillow
If you’re like most travelers you really don’t want to add bulk to your carry on items, that is why you should try out a pillow that is inflatable. Inflatable pillows weigh less and are compact so they easily fit into the bag you carry on board. Select a good quality inflatable neck pillow that is covered in a soft flocked material for comfort. Another advantage of an inflatable pillow over one that is not is that it is adjustable. For example, if you inflate your pillow before reaching cruising altitude you can deflate it a bit once you do reach altitude to get just the right amount of firmness for you.

The air on board is dry and dehydrates your lips, skin, and can make you thirsty too. As a matter of fact, frequent flyers recommend you drink at least one cup of water for every hour you’re in the air.

Travel Water Bottle

Getting that water can be a challenge and expensive if you buy water at the airport after you have cleared security. The solution is to bring your own reusable and collapsible water bottle. It’s a money saver at the airport and it’s good for the environment. Fill it up at a hydration station before boarding and then ask a flight attendant to refill it. This one has a convenient carabiner clip too.

Lip Balm

Lips for both men and women as well as children all dry out quicker while flying. Make sure you place a lip balm in your flight essentials bag and keep it there. I prefer a balm over a lip gloss because it tends to seal in moisture and is more emollient. The SPF factor doesn’t matter, but if you get a balm that has one you can use it while outside as well to protect your lips from harmful sun rays.

Hand or Face Lotion

Skin drys out quickly in the dry cabin air. Using a moisturizer on all exposed skin can help you have a comfortable flight. Advice concerning size; select a tube or plastic bottle that is less than 3 ounces to stay within the TSA carry-on regulations. Advice on fragrance; select a formula that is fragrance-free if you can. If you’re applying it a few times during the flight your seatmates will appreciate that they don’t have to smell your favorite scent. You’ll want to apply lotion to your neck and face too, again a reason to avoid a potentially irritating fragrance.

Hand Sanitizer

You particularly want to stay healthy when traveling whether it’s for business or pleasure, and you want to help keep your family healthy too. One way to be less vulnerable to germs is to use a hand sanitizer frequently. Choose wipes, they can’t spill and are easy to carry. You can use wipes on surfaces, not just to wipe your hands. The germiest places on a plane are the armrests, seat buckles, and tray tables. If you do choose a bottle select one that is less than 3 ounces and we suggest selecting an alcohol-free formula because it is less drying.

Gum

Chewing gum is a tried and true way to counteract the effects of cabin pressure changes and ear-popping pain. The choice here is to select a refreshing flavor so you can freshen your breath after eating and again just before landing and deplaning your flight. It’ll help you feel refreshed at your destination too. Small packets are great for travel and stay fresh longer.

Entertainment and Tech Travel Essentials

You should plan on being self-sufficient when it comes to entertainment on your flight. Your flight may not offer seat-back screens and only access to their app to get entertainment. Plan ahead.

External Battery for Your Electronic Devices

Bring your own power, even if your devices are fully charged you may want additional power. While many airlines are offering USB charging ports near your seat, not all are yet plus you can’t always count on that they work. On my most recent flight, my power port was broken. Make sure you pack your backup power source in your carry-on bag.

Headphones

Enjoying quiet or listening to a podcast, music, or watching a movie is better with your own headphones. Over the head or on-ear versions can offer more options and more comfort than ear-buds. Look for noise-canceling features that can help you rest while flying.

Tablet

Reading a book or watching a movie on your small phone screen is not ideal. Consider investing in a tablet for your entertainment pleasure. Compare an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite and the Fire Tablet, that you can download TV shows and movies too.

Snacks

Consider bringing small and lightweight snacks to enjoy during your flight. Most likely you can purchase snacks on board but they can be pricey. And to add injury to insult if you’re seated towards the back of the aircraft they may run out of the item you want by the time they reach you. Protein bars, granola, and chips are choices that you can enjoy at your destination if you elect not to eat them on the plane.

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT can be a life-threatening blood clot that develops in a leg vein and then travels through your bloodstream to your lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can block blood flow and be fatal. In general, the longer the flight, the greater the risk with flights lasting more than 8 hours posing the most risk.

Signs of potential DVT include:

swelling of the ankles and/or legs
extreme pain and usually only in one leg
worsening pain
the skin over the clot may feel warmer to the touch
the skin may turn a reddish or bluish color

Your symptoms will chiefly depend on the size of the clot in your leg. The symptoms may barely be noticeable if you only have a small clot or even not at all. If the clot is large you could experience extreme pain and leg swelling symptoms, or you might only have minor calf swelling without a lot of pain. If the clot is large, your entire leg could become swollen with extensive pain.

Some travelers will already be more predisposed to developing DVT. The risk factors include:

being over 50
being overweight
smoking
having varicose veins in your legs
undergoing hormone therapy
having a family history of DVT

Preventing DVT on a Plane

The good news is you have a few things you can do to ward off a DVT event when traveling. The idea is to keep your blood flowing and circulate the blood that can pool in your lower let back up through your body.

1. Exercise in your seat
The objective is to keep your blood circulating up from your legs while sitting for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, a good habit to get in to is doing foot and leg exercises at your seat. A few exercises you can do is to stretch out your legs in front of you and turn your feet in a clockwise circle ten times and then ten times in a counterclockwise rotation. Another good exercise is to sit upright, lift your feet off the ground and run or pedal in place. Lastly, try pushing up your knees by leaving your toes on the ground and pushing up your heels.

2. Get up every hour
Walk the length of the plane or to the lavatory once every hour or an hour and a half if you can. This alone is why an aisle seat is the best seat as you won’t have to disturb your seatmates to get to the aisle. Walking will get the blood flowing. Also, try not to cross your legs which exerts pressure on the lower leg and may hamper the blood flow in that lower leg.

3. Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water during your flight. It’s important that you stay well hydrated as dehydration can lead to thick blood that doesn’t move through the veins as easily as thin blood and can be more prone to clotting. Avoid coffee, soda, caffeinated tea and alcohol which all act like mild diuretics and therefore would add to your risk of dehydration.

4. Research if a supplement may be right for you
Taking an over-the-counter supplement can go a long way to preventing swelling and reducing leg pain. The supplement is Pycnogenol. Pycnogenol is an herbal supplement and a registered trademark for an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine. Fred Pescatore, MD was interviewed by Bottom Line Personal and shared the results of a study that compared the antioxidant Pycnogenol to compression stockings (which aid with circulation) and a control group that did nothing special on a flight of over 8 hours and while sitting in economy.

Test results: Pycnogenol performed better than the stockings and the control group according to this study. Pycnogenol seems to make sense as a blood-clot preventive on long trips—even long car rides. The test result showed that the pycnogenol group had the least leg/ankle swelling of the three groups and the least amount of pain. There were two incidents of thrombosis in the control group but none in the Pycnogenol or stocking groups.

Dr. Pescatore recommends taking 100 milligrams of Pycnogenol twice a day for one week before a long flight, on the day of the flight and for one week afterward. While Pycnogenol generally is considered safe with few side effects, as with any supplement, consult your physician to make sure that it’s right for you. For more information read the Bottom Line Article.

Another supplement formulated to help guard against DVT during flights longer than 6 hours is Flight Tabs. This formula includes pycnogenol and nattokinase to promote vein health. Each bottle is designed for one round trip flight.5. Compression stockings
If you can’t take pycnogenol or don’t wish to, consider wearing compression stockings designed for air travel on your next long flight. Compression stockings designed for women and compression stockings designed for men gently squeeze your legs to move blood up your legs. This helps prevent leg swelling and, to a lesser extent, blood clots. If you have varicose veins, spider veins, or have just had surgery, your health care provider may prescribe compression stockings. Compression stockings also help with aching and heavy feelings in the legs, swelling, preventing blood clots. If you’re a diabetic, discuss the use of compression stockings with your doctor. Knee-length stockings may be just as effective as thigh-length and are easier to wear.

6. Elevate your feet while in flight
Finally to help prevent dvt in flight, to relieve pressure on your thighs and to help elevate your feet use an airplane hammock style footrest. This style of in-flight footrest attaches to the arms of the tray table in front of you. When done elevating your legs the item folds ups small and light for placement in your carry-on bag.

How to Prepare for a Medical Emergency While Traveling
The simple preparations for a medical emergency abroad

Always carry your ID, a credit card, and some cash Always have these essential items on you, even if you’re just going out for a walk or a quick trip. I ‘d add to that list your phone. As for your phone, you should have photos of various other health-related documents that could come in handy during a medical emergency. Have photos of your prescriptions, vaccination records and any information regarding implanted devices that may help you in case of a medical emergency. Plus having your phone makes it easier to communicate with travel companions or loved ones. This is where a travel money belt, anti-theft bag or waist pack comes in handy to carry your essentials.
Pack a small first aid kit to deal with blisters, cuts, and bug bites. Keep it in your day bag so you have it handy when you most likely need it. If you don’t want to make a kit from scratch you find some travel first aid kits here. A few basic items you should consider for your emergency kits are band-aids in various sizes, an antiseptic cream like Neosporin, or anti-bug spray depending on your destination.
Pack over the counter medications in travel sizes so they don’t take up a lot of room in your bag. Anti-diarrhea, allergy meds and pain relievers, soothing eye drops and anti-itch remedies are the most common drugs you’ll need. Don’t wait to buy them in your destination country. They could be difficult to find in travel sizes and costlier too.
Bring a copy of any prescriptions you take and snap a photo of your prescription bottles in case of loss. Have a copy of your medical insurance card too.
Know how to say you have a food/drug allergy or a medical condition in the language of your destination Be sure you and your travel companion(s) know how to say you have an allergy in the language of the country you’re visiting. Have it written down or keep it handy on your phone if you can’t remember how to say it. Using your screenshot function or having a photo stored on your phone for this is extremely useful. Telling a waiter about a food allergy or a doctor about an allergy or implanted medical device could be life-saving.
Local doctors or clinics are a good option for minor medical emergencies Injuries like a sprain or an illness like the flu, seek out the help of a local doctor or clinic. Your hotel or a pharmacy clerk can help you find one. Use google translate to help describe symptoms if there is a language barrier.
Check to see if the credit card you are traveling with provides any travel insurance benefits. Ask for a limit increase on your card before you leave on your trip. The increase could come in handy to cover emergency medical costs.
Know what hospital to go to If you think it is something worse or life-threatening get to a hospital immediately. Car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, gallbladder attacks can happen anywhere. Research prior to your trip which hospitals in the areas you are visiting cooperate with your insurance. If you haven’t done that ahead of time contact the US embassy. They can assist with wire transfers to pay for services, arranging airlifts if necessary and help with finding the medical care you may need. When our son went on a study abroad program, we made sure that he, the in-country program manager, and his host family knew of his peanut allergy and which of the 3 hospitals in the city he should be taken to for any medical emergency as dictated by his travel health insurance. Knowing where he would go in case of a medical emergency gave us peace of mind.
Purchase travel insurance before you go. It’s worth it. Insurance coverage can vary by company so read the policy and talk with a company representative before selecting a travel insurance policy that will meet your needs. The travel insurance company may also have a preferred hospital or clinic in your destination, be sure to ask about it. If you have a significant underlying health condition or are uncomfortable about treatment for certain injuries or health issues ask the insurance provider about medical evacuation. Keep the information on your phone and keep it with your travel docs. Make sure your travel companions know where information is in addition to someone at home.
Be prepared for medical emergencies – are your vaccinations up to date? If you hurt yourself you may be asked about tetanus. If you travel to areas where certain diseases not normally found in the US you may be asked about vaccinations for those too. This is a great transition to the next point for being prepared for a medical emergency while traveling.
Visit a travel health doctor before you depart Do research about your intended destination at the CDC.gov. website. If you’re going to a location identified as having or prone to Zika, Malaria or Ebola Hepatitis outbreaks seek out a travel doctor to get the proper immunizations and advice for your destination.

Hopefully, you won’t need to take advantage of any of your medical emergency preparation. However, if you do experience a medical emergency while traveling you’ll be better off and less panicked that you did prepare.

How You Can Track the Spread of Any Illness Around the World

Concerned about where to travel or if where your plans are taking you are safe from a health perspective? Now you have a couple of tools to help you learn about your destination with up to the minute advice.

The following two websites show where the Coronavirus has spread and where there are outbreaks of other illnesses too.

This tracker shows ALL pathogens/epidemics tracked around the world, be sure to use to the filter on the top right to isolate which pathogen you’re interested in tracking, You can track measles and hepatitis in addition to many other pathogens. Both are easy to use interactive maps.

https://www.epidemictracker.com/All-Pathogens

This tracker is dedicated to the Coronavirus

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Quick Coronavirus Facts: as of Jan 30th, 2020

The coronavirus family is a large group of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tract. Coronaviruses can lead to illnesses like the common cold, pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and even death. he virus can spread from an infected person to others before the infected person shows any symptoms of the disease.

The deadly coronavirus has spread to over 20 other countries within Asia, Europe, and North America, with the vast majority of cases being in mainland China. In China over 170 people have died and there are at least 8200 confirmed cases reported throughout China.

Due to the outbreak of the virus, the U.S. State Department has issued its highest travel advisory, a Level 4, to the Hubei province in China. Level 4 advisories urge travelers “Do not travel,” their strongest recommendation.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Warning Level 3 (red) Alert – which states “Avoid all non-essential travel” to this destination. The outbreak is of high risk to travelers and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk.

The CDC reports that there are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses. Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own.

How the Corona Virus is Spread

Like the flu, the Coronavirus which can be spread from person to person and is transmitted through coughing, sneezing, or touching an infected person – so getting to close to someone who may already have the virus would be risky.

What Are Airports Doing

Air passengers arriving in the US are being screened now at 20 airports — Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York’s John F. Kennedy among the most popular with flyers. Those airports receive most of the travelers on direct and connecting flights from the central Chinese city of Wuhan and other cities too.

Passengers are being screened by the CDC personnel which includes administering health questionnaires as well as checking passengers for fever and other symptoms.

How Travelers Can Avoid Catching Coronavirus

Try to stay away from sick travelers – when possible

Because the viruses are spread through airborne droplets (sneezing, coughing), when possible, avoid close contact with people who are sick — particularly those who display symptoms similar to those of pneumonia or the common cold, such as coughing or runny noses.

Wash Your Hands Often

Frequent hand washing is an effective way of reducing the potential for infection. Touching of others or touching an infected surface can transmit the illness. If hand washing is not an option, the use of a good alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good substitute. Try not to touch your mouth, eyes or nose.

While On Airplanes – Wipe Down Surfaces

It’s also wise to take into consideration that airborne droplets can be deposited on hard surfaces that can last for several days.

Compounding this issue, if an infected person coughs or sneezes onto a surface – such as an airline tray table, and another person touches that surface, there may be a chance the virus could be transferred. This potential transfer is greatly increased if the traveler then inserts their fingers in their eyes, mouth, or nose, as reported by the University of Georgia. It should also be pointed out that as of this writing, it’s unknown how long coronavirus particles can live on surfaces.

To reduce the chances of contracting a virus while on board an airplane, travelers should take additional measures to minimize exposure to germs and infection, especially if they suffer from a weak immune system or are particularly vulnerable to illnesses.

Travelers should consider using disinfecting wipes to help kill germs and disinfecting hard surfaces they will be exposed to. They should pay special attention to wiping down:

Seat tray table (top and bottom). The tray table is the most important, as it usually tops the list for bacteria per square inch.
Armrests,
TV-screen and/or remote,
Seat buckle,
Seat storage compartment, and,
Seat call buttons

Related Article: What is a Travel Health Clinic

Wearing Masks?

Wearing surgical masks has become a phenomenon in China since the outbreak of coronavirus – but there are mixed reports about their use. What’s consistently reported is that when a mask is worn, it needs to be a higher quality mask.

To protect themselves from infection, health care workers don’t wear the kind of thin, over-the-mouth masks you see in operating rooms, which are designed to keep germs from leaving the mouths and noses of medical staff in the room. When it comes to preventing infection from their surroundings, health care workers wear N95 respirators, which fit much more tightly. It’s also reported that these respirators haven’t been tested for effectiveness when worn by the general public. Learn more about the N95 mask.

While the CDC does not discourage healthy people from wearing surgical masks as a precaution, the agency is only recommending their use for patients thought to have the virus and the medical professionals who interact with them.

It should be noted that some airlines, including American Airlines and Cathy Pacific are allowing their flight attendants to wear masks on certain flights to or from China.

Coronavirus Online Training Resource

The World Health Organization has a free, online training course that has been made available to the general public. The course, called “Emerging respiratory viruses, including nCoV: methods for detection, prevention, response and control” is appx one hour in length, and can be located here.

More Travel Health Information

CDC Coronavirus Home Page

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

World Health Organization – Situation Report Review – Released Daily

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/

CNN

https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-01-27-20-intl-hnk/index.html

How to Beat Jet Lag Quickly and Safely

1. Drink lots of water

2. Avoid alcohol to beat jet lag

3. Use a Melatonin supplement

4. Block out noise and light in flight

5. Adjust to the new time immediately

6. Don’t nap upon arrival

7. Don’t sleep in to help beat lag

8. Go outside upon arrival

Final Thoughts on Beating Jet Lag When Traveling

More Articles You May Like

Best Tip for Storing Travel Medications

Should You Contact Your Doctor Before Travel?

Our Top 8 Picks for Over the Counter Medications Smart Travelers Keep Handy

Anti Diarrheal and Heartburn Medication

2. Pain and Fever Medication

3. Over the Counter Motion Sickness Medicine

4. Over the Counter Mild Laxative

5. Over the Counter Antihistamine

6. Over the Counter Cough Drops and Suppressant

7. Over the Counter Decongestant

8. Over the Counter Sleep Aid

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