There’s not much worse than getting sick while traveling, especially when your team is depending on you. Here are 10 tips to help keep you and your fellow team members healthy:
- Consult with your physician regarding appropriate vaccinations and immunizations. The U.S Center for Disease Control can provide you their recommendations. If you get sick after returning home, see a physician and be sure to tell them when and where you traveled.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, and keep a small container of antibacterial hand gel in your pocket and use it OFTEN.
- Drink only bottled or purified water. Avoid ice cubes, fountain drinks, and tap water, – even when brushing your teeth.
- Watch out for undercooked meats, and pass on the milk, ice cream, and anything that might contain raw eggs – including cookie dough (trust me on that one!)
- Fruits, vegetables, and salads are often washed in tap water only. “Boil it, peel it, or forget it.”
- Don’t eat food bought from street vendors, and don’t eat something questionable just because others are eating it.
- Do not go barefoot. Anywhere.
- Don’t feed or touch pets and animals. Cute dogs, kittens and monkeys can (and probably do) carry a variety of diseases.
- If you take prescription medication, pack enough to last your entire trip plus some extra, carry meds in their original-labeled container, pack them in your carry-on, and carry a copy of your prescription with you in case questioned by border authorities regarding medications.
- Seriously consider buying travel insurance from a source like MissionTripInsurance.com, International Medical Group or Talent Trust Consultants. It’s not very expensive and can help cover a wide variety of unexpected needs including emergency medical evacuation, overseas hospitalization, lost luggage, and even cancelled or delayed flights.
