Learn about your destination
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides health-related information on destination countries which includes disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other events. Besides the information provided by the CDC, you should also gather as many details as possible about your specific destination. Take into consideration the modes of travel, lodging, food, and activities during your trip.
Seek travel health advice from your physician or travel medicine provider
Ideally, set up a visit 4-6 weeks before your trip because you may need some vaccinations that may take some time in order to be effective. Besides giving required immunizations, during the pre-travel visit, your doctor may recommend some medications to prevent specific diseases (such as antimalaria drugs) and give specific health advice for preventing and treating travelers’ diarrhea and other illnesses.
Consider your health status.
Avoid traveling when you're sick, especially if you have contracted a communicable disease. If you have a chronic medical condition or are taking medications, consult your regular physician for travel advices and be sure to pack enough medications for the duration of your travel. Travelers with infant or young children, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and people with weakened immune system may need extra care during their travel.
Know your vaccinations.
CDC divides vaccines for travel into three categories: routine, recommended, and required. Routine vaccinations protects you from diseases that may still be common in other parts of the world even though they rarely occur in your country of origin. Recommended vaccinations are given depending on your destination, whether you will be spending time in rural areas, the season of the year, your age, health status, and previous immunizations. The only required vaccinations are the yellow fever vaccination for travel to certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America and the meningococcal vaccination for travel to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj.
Prepare your personal travel health kit.
Generally in addition to personal medication, a good travel health kit contains:
- Basic medications for fever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen), diarrhea or stomach upsets (loperamide, oral rehydration packs, antacids), respiratory illness (antihistamines, cough preparation), anti-motion sickness medication, and anti allergic medications.
- Basic first aid and wound treatment kit
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Alcohol-based hand cleaner
- Contact card containing information about remaining family member or close contact in the country of origin, place of lodging, embassy contact number, and other emergency information.
Pay attention to your health during your trip and after you come back home.
Try not to take risks with your health and safety. Be careful about food and water. Wear proper protection such as insect repellants, sunscreen, protective clothing and gears during your travel. Some diseases like malaria and tuberculosis may have a long incubation time and symptoms can occur after you have returned to your home country. So pay attention to any suspicions health related complaints even after you got back.
