Getting sick in your destination is not fun. You’re in your destination to have a good time, not to lie in bed not not being able to do anything during your travel. What are the things you should heed?
The little things matter the most
Hygiene habits such as washing and scrubbing your hands thoroughly before any meal is one of the simplest things you can do to prevent yourself from getting sick. It may sound trivial, but records show that one of the most frequent causes for catching an illness is through the food and the water you consume.
Prevent insect bites
Insect-borne diseases range from a mild annoyance to deadly ones. The best way is to prevent the bite itself from happening. Insect repellent is something that you should always consider bringing or buying at your destination regardless whether your destination has an insect-borne disease reputation. A natural insect repellent that you can easily obtain in many tropical countries is cajuput oil. It has a distinct herbal scent to it, almost as light as water, and thanks to its natural sources, it’s safe to apply on your skin several times a day.
Always drink bottled water or water that has been boiled
Drinking from a tap water is a definite no. When you absolutely have to drink tap water, then make sure to boil it first. Whether you’re using stove or water heater, boiling the water is one of the safest ways to ensure that you’re not drinking contaminated water.
When in doubt, only eat fully cooked food
Some exotic food no doubt has its own way of processing. While some are perfectly okay to eat, some are rather questionable. If you have not done your own research regarding said food, then it’s best not to eat them. Uncooked food such as sushi and sashimi that you’re already familiar with at home are often already cooked in one way or another. Ones that are not cooked usually is turned into food the next instant those fishes are caught. This kind of instances are what you’d usually find in places such as Tsukiji Fish Market. When you absolutely want to taste food that you thought questionable, then make sure that you do your own research first. Chances are, there are travelers like you who have shared their experiences.
Check if you need to get vaccinated
Some areas or countries advises you to undergo some vaccinations before landing there. This is something that you’ll likely need to prepare in advance. Some vaccines should be taken no less than several months before you depart for your destination. Some vaccines cannot be taken when you have a certain condition, such as being pregnant or currently nursing. Research this well and ask for you health providers’ advices.
If you catch an illness when you’re at a certain destination, it won’t only bring disadvantages to you. Your loved ones and your community have risks of getting infected as well. This is why preventing catching an illness from happening is something that is something extremely important for your own well-being during your travel.
