Hey there, fellow travelers! While we love to share all of the exciting and fun things about traveling the world as a family, there are some downsides, too. Today, half of our family isn’t feeling well so it seems like the perfect opportunity to talk about the seven most common ailments that travelers may run into. It’s no fun to be sick while traveling, so there are some thing you can look out for to stay healthy while traveling. (This list is completely unscientific and based on our own personal experiences; we are not doctors! Not the medical kind, anyways.)
#1 Traveler’s Diarrhea
Also known as Montezuma’s Revenge in Mexico, traveler’s diarrhea is one of the most common travel ailments you’ll find. This one is stressful because you’re always worried about the nearest bathroom and it may even keep you home for the day. There are so many reasons you might get traveler’s diarrhea, including the local water and food. A lot of traveler’s diarrhea can be traced back to water, including the water used to wash fruits and vegetables.
Read: Everything You Need to Know About Traveler’s Diarrhea
#2 Sprained Ankles
This is such a common travelers ailment. When you’re walking around old towns on cobblestone streets, and uneven sidewalks, it’s so easy to twist your ankle or take a tumble. You’ll also find a lot of bars, restaurants, restrooms have steps between rooms and so you really have to watch your step. Even in hotel rooms, don’t try to find your way around in the dark as you’re likely to trip on furniture. A simple little slip can really ruin the rest of your trip.
Read: Five Rules for Choosing Shoes to Wear in Europe
#3 Food Poisoning
This is another frequent issue while traveling. It’s not usually intentional poisoning, but when you are traveling around and eating out so frequently, your odds of contracting food poisoning are greater. When you visit a restaurant while traveling, take a gut check of your surroundings. Is it clean, are they handling the food properly, are locals eating there?
#4 Strep Throat
This is common, and often caught on the flight to your destination, or in the airport. Do not make it worse by forcing yourself to get out and sightsee. Take a day off and rest, or go to the pharmacy and ask for some help. Pharmacists in other countries can often do more than the pharmacists in the US, and may be able to prescribe medication if you need it.
#5 Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sometimes travelers let their guard down a bit when traveling. But the same STD’s that are rampant in America are also present in every other country you will travel to. If you are going to be sexually active while traveling, make sure you protect yourself. It’s best to be prepared because it’s not always easy to find condoms at the last minute when you need them.
#6 Car Accidents
One of the most common ways for Americans to get hurt abroad is in a car accident. Whether as a pedestrian, driver or passenger, navigating unfamiliar roads can be dangerous. Use extra caution when driving, or crossing the street. Even in a taxi, make sure you buckle up.
#7 Serious Diseases
Lastly, there are some serious diseases you can contract abroad that may kill you. Things like Malaria, Typhoid, Dengue Fever, Rabies and Yellow Fever are all dangerous, but preventable with vaccines. Before you visit any country, check with the CDC for the recommended vaccines you need. Your needs may depend on activities as well. Talk to your doctor or visit your local travel vaccine clinic for advice.
Be Ready For Travel Sickness
Rather than waiting for something to happen, we always carry a bit of medicine for most of these ailments in a First Aid kit. This saves us from having to find a pharmacy in the middle of the night, and gives us peace of mind. Here are the things we pack in our First Aid kit for every trip:
- Immodium
- Pepto-Bismol
- Advil/Ibuprofen
- DayQuil
- NyQuil
- Benadryl
- ACE Bandage
Hopefully this helps you be aware of common travel ailments so you can avoid them, or at least have a head’s up on how to handle them if they come up. For more travel tips and advice, check out these blog posts and videos:
