travel health
precautions along the way
tips for flying
flying isn't always fun. but you can take steps to make it easier and to feel better during and after your flight.
- pack in your checked bags anything that may cause problems at security.
examples include gels, liquids, sharp scissors, or pocket knives. see the canadian air transport security authority (catsa) website at catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/whatcanibring for an updated list of what isn't allowed in carry-on luggage.
- wear roomy, comfortable shoes that slip on and off.
these are easy to remove when you go through security at the airport. they will also be more comfortable if your feet swell on the plane.
- walk around the plane every 1 to 2 hours during flights to prevent dangerous blood clots during long periods of travel.
sitting still slows down the blood flow in your legs and raises your blood clot risk. consider wearing compression stockings.
- take steps to prevent jet lag.
examples include drinking plenty of liquids and changing your sleep schedule to the new time zone.
if you have a fear of flying, talk to your doctor. the doctor may recommend medicines; hypnosis; or breathing, visualization, and relaxation exercises to help you feel less afraid.
water and food safety
contaminated water and food are the most common cause of illness in travellers.
- don't drink tap water if it may not have been properly treated.
- don't brush your teeth with tap water.
- drink beverages made with boiled water, such as tea and coffee.
canned or bottled carbonated beverages (including bottled water and soft drinks), beer, and wine are also usually safe.
- don't accept ice in drinks.
it may be contaminated.
- dry the opening of wet cans or bottles before taking a drink.
- avoid raw fruits (unless you wash and peel them yourself), raw vegetables, and raw or undercooked meat and seafood.
- try to eat steaming hot, well-cooked food.
- don't get foods or drinks from street vendors.
- make sure dairy products have been pasteurized.
taking the above precautions with food can help prevent infections, like tapeworm.
travellers to backcountry areas of north america should also take precautions with water. even though the water in high mountain lakes looks sparkling clear, it may be contaminated with giardia intestinalis, the parasite that causes giardiasis. take simple precautions to avoid this illness, such as boiling the water.
swimming and water sports
swimming in contaminated fresh water, such as ponds or rivers, can expose you to diseases. even swimming pools with inadequate chlorination pose a risk. talk to your doctor if you plan on doing recreational water sports—such as white-water rafting, adventure racing, or kayaking—in tropical and backcountry regions.
to prevent fungal or parasitic infections and injuries, do not go barefoot. try to keep your feet as clean and dry as possible.
although sea water is usually safe from disease, swimming or diving in sea water can still be dangerous. avoid swimming or wading in sea water near a river, estuary, or other outlet from inland. swimming when you have an open cut or sore can also increase your risk of getting an infection. in developing countries, sea water around big cities and other populated areas may not be safe.
insect-borne disease
mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and ticks all spread disease such as malaria, lyme disease, and west nile fever.
malaria is the insect-borne disease of most concern to travellers in tropical and subtropical regions. although antimalarial medicines kill the malaria parasite in the bloodstream, this protection isn't complete. take protective measures along with taking antimalarial medicine.
ticks inhabit many regions, including europe, canada, and the united states. although it is rare for travellers to contract diseases from ticks, some of the diseases are serious.
here are some tips that can help you avoid mosquitoes and other insects.
- use deet or other insect repellents on your skin.
- sleep under a bed net to prevent insects from biting you while you sleep.
permethrin or deltamethrin insecticide sprayed on bed nets will protect against mosquitoes for weeks to months.
- use mosquito coils.
the smoke from these slow-burning coils repels mosquitoes.
- wear light-coloured and loose-fitting long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
this is especially important from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes that spread malaria and other diseases bite. insect repellent applied to clothing is effective for longer than it may be on the skin.
- do not use home remedies like eating garlic, rubbing garlic on your skin, or taking vitamin b.
they do not prevent bites.
sun and heat exposure
many travellers underestimate the sun's strength and overestimate the amount of protection their sunscreen offers. this may cause an uncomfortable sunburn and other skin damage.
- protect yourself from the sun by using sunscreen and wearing a hat and sunglasses.
- take steps to prevent heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
- before you travel to a hot environment, improve your ability to handle heat. start by exercising for a short time in the heat. then for the next 2 to 3 weeks, slowly increase the time you exercise in the heat.
- if you are not used to the heat, limit your time outside in the hottest part of the day.
- drink plenty of water.
- do not drink alcohol. it increases your risk for dehydration.
- know if you take medicines that may make heat-related illness more likely. if you take medicines regularly, ask your doctor for advice about hot-weather activity and your risk for heat-related illness.
injuries and other concerns
although disease is a big risk while you are travelling, you should also be aware of the risk of injury and other concerns.
- take precautions to help avoid motor vehicle crashes.
they are a leading cause of injury among travellers. bad roads, poor driver training, and crowded roadways can make driving dangerous in other countries.
- learn local driving customs and road signs.
- try to travel during daylight.
- always use seat belts.
- ask taxi drivers or other hired drivers to slow down or drive more carefully if you feel unsafe.
- wear helmets and protective clothing when riding motorcycles or bicycles.
- understand the risks associated with animal bites.
take care around dogs and other animals. dogs in developing countries may bite, and rabies is a concern. if you are bitten by an animal, wash the bite with clean water and seek medical attention immediately.
- be prepared to treat minor wounds.
most wounds sustained in developing countries carry a higher risk of becoming infected.
- if you get even a minor wound, clean it as soon as possible with large amounts of warm, clean water.
- apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as vaseline, and a bandage.
- if you haven't had a tetanus shot in 10 years, you should get a booster dose before you leave on your trip.
but if you don't get a tetanus shot before you leave, you should get one after an animal bite or an injury that results in a break in the skin.
- if you know that you get motion sickness, pack medicines to prevent it.
the motion of cars, planes, trains, boats, or ships can make some people sick.
- when air quality is poor, avoid the area or stay indoors as much as possible.
air pollution can pose a serious threat to those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
- practice safer sex and use condoms to prevent infections.
sexual activity can lead to sexually transmitted infections.
altitude
altitude sickness occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen from the air at high altitudes.
it happens most often when people who are not used to high altitudes go quickly from lower altitudes to 2,500 metres (8,000 feet) or higher. when you go too high too fast, your body cannot adjust.
altitude sickness can range from mild to life-threatening. with good planning, such as ascending slowly or taking certain medicines, it is often preventable.
scuba diving safety
you will learn about safety in your scuba diving certification class. if you plan to get certified while travelling, find an experienced, certified teacher that you feel comfortable with. several groups, including the professional association of diving instructors (padi) and the national association of underwater instructors (naui), certify instructors and dive shops all over the world.
if you are a new diver, it is best to go with an experienced guide, also called a dive master. most problems occur when divers ignore the rules and push their limits. here are some general diving rules.
- only dive if you feel comfortable.
- use equipment that you are familiar with and that is in good repair.
- know what to do if something goes wrong.
- always dive with a buddy.
- go down and come up slowly.
don't hold your breath.
- know and follow recommended depths and time limits.
- allow enough time between your last dive and your flight home.
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what to do if you get ill
serious illness
if you become seriously ill while travelling, your country's embassy or consulate can help you find medical care. for a complete list of embassies and consulates, visit https://travel.gc.ca for the canadian government's travel and tourism website. you can also get the contacts for local doctors and medical clinics. if you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while travelling, seek medical attention immediately.
diarrhea
traveller's diarrhea is loose, watery bowel movements you can get when you travel. it also can cause vomiting and belly cramps.
this kind of diarrhea is usually caused by bacteria. but sometimes it is caused by a parasite or virus.
most people get it when they eat undercooked, raw, or contaminated foods. you can also get it if you drink contaminated water or if you drink something that has contaminated ice cubes in it.
in some cases, new foods can cause diarrhea. in other cases, the stress and anxiety of travel can cause it.
traveller's diarrhea usually isn't serious. most of the time, bowel movements return to normal quickly. the most important thing is to prevent dehydration. make sure to drink a lot of fluids.
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current as of: october 24, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
