I am often asked how people can protect themselves from getting sick when traveling. My first concern is always for your safety and well-being. I will never recommend areas or resorts that I feel are unsafe or that I would not travel to personally. If you have any health concerns, please make sure to advise me when we are in the planning process, or prior to travel so you we can manage any situation!
One thing to remember (and this is on every one of my confirmation invoices I provide) is that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the proper travel documentation (passports, visas, identification, vaccinations, etc.) in order to travel abroad. Did you notice that word vaccinations? Too often people always overlook this and think it doesn’t pertain to them or their destination. In most cases you are right – it doesn’t. However, the CDC is constantly updating their information with regards to required or recommended vaccinations for any destination you may travel to. Please note there is a difference between a requirement and a recommendation. For a requirement, it is just that – and you will have to show proof before being allowed to enter the country. Recommendations are just that, general wide scope recommendations. For any questions regarding the recommendations, you should consult with your physician to see if the recommendation applies to you in your health assessment. Often times, the recommendations will not apply to you based on your overall health.
Many times people will get sick when traveling and assume they have food poisoning. True food poisoning is actually quite rare in the more mainstream tourist destinations or on cruise ships. Often times it is your body reacting to unfamiliar or excessive foods (especially when combined with alcohol), or different bacteria or pesticides. It can also be an indicator there is something more serious going on. There are ways you can protect yourself when traveling. The two biggest ways you can protect yourself are through eating safe foods and personal hygiene. The other way is by working with a travel professional that visits the resorts on a routine basis and knows the practices at each resort. Did you know that most of the resorts I recommend use only bottled and treated water throughout the entire resort?
Eating safe foods such as those that are cooked and served hot is one recommendation. If you don’t know the food source, you want to make sure your eggs are hard cooked or cooked thoroughly, and that you are consuming pasteurized dairy products. If you are working with a good travel professional, they will have good insight for you on this type of thing. (Did you know some resorts actually have their own greenhouses and grow their own produce?) There are some general recommendations – but these will vary slightly based on the destination and health concerns. If you are at a good quality resort (this is where value comes in to play and not necessarily just price!), or on a cruise ship, the recommendations will be slightly altered. The recommendations below should definitely be followed if you are eating out side of your resort or in a port of call!
Some general recommendations of foods not to eat:
Food served at room temperature
Food from street vendors
Raw or soft-cooked (think runny) eggs
Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits or vegetables (if you want these – please make sure to wash them!)
Peelings from fruits or veggies
Condiments made from fresh ingredients if you don’t know or trust the food source
Salads
Unpasteurized dairy products
“Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)
Drinking safe beverages is also important. While most of the better resorts only use bottled or filtered water, it is always best to ask about the water source! I only recommend resorts that use bottled or filtered water, but believe it or not, some people choose not to take my recommendations!
Don’t forget about the ice! Ice is water! You need to know if the ice cubes are made from filtered water or tap water. If tap water – stay away! Personally, I don’t use ice at all when I am traveling, no matter where I am going. The safe beverages are generally bottled water (that is sealed or opened in front of you), water that has been disinfected (boiled, filtered, treated), ice made with boiled or disinfected water, carbonated drinks, hot coffee or tea, and pasteurized milk.
Drinks to avoid include:
Tap or Well water (Don’t even brush your teeth with it if it is not treated!)
Ice made with tap or well water
Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juices or iced tea)
Open market drinks made with fresh fruit pulp
Flavored ice and popsicles
Unpasteurized milk
Personal hygiene cannot be understated here! You hear it all of the time “wash your hands” – but do you do it? You should wash your hands often and with soap whenever possible. If soap is not available, make sure you clean your hands with sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth unless your hands are clean. Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
One other hint – if you have ever been on a flight and they give you a hot / warm towel before you eat or land – Don’t use that to wipe your face!! Those towels can be a breeding ground for bacteria! Use those towels to wipe your hands (but don’t touch your face!), and clean the tray table you will be using.
If you have any questions regarding health concerns in the area you are visiting, I encourage you to visit with your doctor to determine if you need any vaccinations or if following a few simple precautions will be all you need. Most of the time, just following simple precautions is all you need to have a safe and healthy vacation experience!
Happy Travels!