Travel in the age of swine flu: How to stay healthy on your next vacation

November 10, 9:23 AMLong Island Budget Travel ExaminerLeslie Koch

Previous Next

6 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Long Island Budget Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

A swine flu H1N1 vaccination campaign in Saudi Arabia, which is preparing for an influx of visitors during the hajj pilgrimage (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Are you nervous about traveling this season because of the risk of contracting H1N1, commonly known as swine flu? You are not alone.

Fear of swine flu outbreaks has caused foreign governments to place restrictions on international travel, ranging from the screening of arriving passengers for flu symptoms to lengthy quarantines. 

While swine flu is a valid concern for travelers, don't let fear ruin your travel plans. You can minimize the risk of catching H1N1 by taking a few simple precautions.

Good sanitation practices

If you follow the normal steps for avoiding the seasonal flu, you will be able to reduce your risk of coming down with the H1N1 virus while traveling.

The following suggestions are based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the travel experiences of this writer (who wishes she had brought hand sanitizer into rural Laos).

• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. If you have just used an ATM that is covered with greasy fingerprints, it is not the best time to rub your eyes, plunge your hand into a bag of Doritos, or pick your nose.

Let's hope Tiger Woods sanitized that hand before 'scratching' his nose (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching surfaces that are potentially contaminated. Hand sanitizer is also effective, and is a must-have in every traveler's day pack.

School children in Wuhan, China clean their hands with an alcohol spray as a precaution against H1N1.(AP Photo)
• Bring hand sanitizer with you on your trip, as it is not readily available in all countries. This is particularly important if you are traveling in developing nations where sanitation is not up to Western standards (e.g. there is no clean running water or soap near restrooms).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and then dispose of the tissue. If you don't have a tissue, you should sneeze into your upper sleeve and not into your hands. This goes against what we were taught in elementary school, so it may take some practice. Fortunately for the slow learners among us, the US government has provided a demonstration of the proper sneezing technique:

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano demonstrates the correct way to sneeze during a news conference (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
• Avoid close contact with people who may be ill. While this is a good rule of thumb, it is especially important when selecting a food cart or restaurant. Skip establishments where staff is sneezing or appear to have questionable hygiene.
• Reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible. You increase your chances of coming across open-mouth sneezers or other proponents of bad hygiene when you find yourself in crowded quarters. If it's in your budget, you may opt for a private guest room instead of a shared dorm at a hostel.
• Improve air flow in your space by opening windows. An exception to this rule? If your hotel is in midtown Manhattan or near a rooster shed. Precious sleep may be more valuable to you than a slightly reduced risk of the swine flu.
• Practice good health habits. This is a catch-all category that sums up all those healthy behaviors you should be doing anyway, but probably aren't: getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

Motorists in Kabul, Afghanistan wear masks as a precaution against the swine flu.(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
• A mask is not necessary unless you are sick or are caring for a sick person. If you must wear a mask, follow the instructions to ensure you are using it correctly. If you improperly use a mask, you will not only look ridiculous, but may actually increase your chances of getting the swine flu.
• Talk to your doctor about the H1N1 vaccine. The swine flu vaccine is currently in short supply in the United States and has been reserved for people in high risk groups. This includes pregnant women, young people aged 6 months to 24 years old, people with preexisting conditions, and health care workers.  Consult with your doctor to determine whether the vaccine is appropriate for you.

For more info on the H1N1 flu and travel:

* Find out more about travel restrictions and recent H1N1 outbreaks by reading the first article in this series.

* Visit the CDC's travel website for the latest information and advisories.

* Read the State Department's answers to frequently asked questions about swine flu and international travel

If you enjoyed this article, you can subscribe to my budget travel column. You will receive an email alert each time a new article is published.  Simply click on the "subscribe" button at the top of this page, and enter your email address.