Easy ways for travelers to avoid the swine flu or H1N1 virus over the vacation

November 7, 1:20 PMSF World Travel ExaminerSheila OConnor

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If you are traveling in a group, nobody wants any of their fellow travelers to get sick

Sheila O'Connor

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How to stay healthy/avoid the flu this holiday season.

It's official.  Reports say 4,000 or more Americans likely have died from swine flu or H1N1 virus. 

So how can you go on vacation and still stay healthy?

The new, higher figure was first reported by The New York Times. It includes deaths caused by complications related to swine flu, including pneumonia and bacterial infections.

The news is depressing, what with this, the health care bill and the Fort Hood killings  filling the news, it's no wonder you would decide you needed a break and wanted to take off.  But even if you decide to vacation domestically to places like Disneyland or internationally to exotic places like the Middle East and Syria, you still may not be totally worry free.  No, in fact you'll probably be worried about getting the H1N1 virus or swine flu. It’s a very valid concern since this pandemic is affecting both young and old.

And since this epidemic is global, it’s going to be very difficult NOT to come across it one way or another (a fellow traveler on the plane may have it and not even know it, someone you chat with at your destination hotel may have it and not have come down with any symptoms yet, for example). But know that, even with the virus getting closer to home and people getting sick, there ARE things you can do to prevent the epidemic from striking you on vacation.  You don't have to be a headline story on next week's news, like the Fort Hood one or the health care legislation one is now.

Most people are advocates of healthy traveling and none more so than the Center for Disease Control.  They reiterate that people should ONLY travel when they are feeling. If they feel in any way unwell, they should simply stay home.

"We know that flu - and specifically H1N1 this year - is a big concern for people, but flu shouldn't ruin the holidays," says Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Center for Disease Control. "By practicing a little prevention, people can enjoy their holidays and stay well at the same time."

Understand that the only way the H1N1 virus can get into the body to infect it is by way of the nose and the mouth.  Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable. The best form of defense then is to simply not be a suitable “host” when this virus comes into contact with YOU. If the virus cannot attack you then it cannot reproduce and cause all sorts of secondary (and often more deadly) problems. The secret then is to prevent the illness taking hold. Here are some tips to stop that from happening:

1. You've no doubt heard it before but it's worth repeating: wash your hands while you are on vacation as often as possible, or use hand sanitizer if you’re not going to be near water.

2. Avoid, if possible, touching your face (yes it’s hard, if you’re a habitual face-toucher you might even have to resort to wearing gloves!

3. Be sure to gargle every day (twice is best but once is better than nothing). Use salt water, which will kill any bacteria in the mouth. If you prefer, you can use Listerine. The cost of the salt or the Listerine is much cheaper than taking time off work or having to go back and forward to the hospital so this is money well spent.

4. Not so nice to do but one that experts nonetheless recommend: swab each nostril with warm salty water to avoid the germs being breathed in.

5. As with all healthy regimes, keep your immune system in tip-top condition on vacation by following a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep and exercise and taking vitamin supplements. Zinc is a great all-round immune system booster (it’s great even if you have just a simply cold) as is Vitamin C and Vitamin C-containing fruits and vegetables.

6. Keep up your intake of hot liquids (your mom was right about chicken soup being a great illness remedy). This will stop germs reproducing in the stomach. Other drinks like tea, coffee, bouillon and herb tea are just as beneficial so be sure to keep well hydrated.

The above strategies will help you go on vacation without getting this difficult and pandemic H1N1 or swine flu virus. That way you can be watching the latest news from your bed, rather than being in your bed because you are sick!

If you're going to be on vacation with a child, see the following articles by the same author for more strategies on how to build your child's immunity so he or she can better resist the epidemic:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-29076-SF-World-Travel-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Protect-your-childs-immunity-against-the-H1N1-virus-or-Swine-Flu-Part-1

and

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-29076-SF-World-Travel-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Protect-your-childs-immunity-against-the-H1N1-virus-or-Swine-Flu-Part-2

For more articles by this author, click here: http://www.examiner.com/x-29076-SF-World-Travel-Examiner