There’s nothing worse than getting sick while on vacation. Not only does it eat into your relaxation and discovery time, it can also be a drain on your budget. Depending on how severe your illness is, you could end up spending a large portion of your travel budget on medication and/or hospital fees. Of course, there are much better ways to spend your hard earned cash while traveling! Here are some suggestions for staying healthy while traveling.
Get immunized. It’s important to research the immunizations that are required for travel to your destination. If you are traveling with the whole family, it’s especially important to know if your kids’ vaccinations are up to date and if they may need additional ones. As is the case for most things these days, there’s an app for that. If you’re an iPad or iPhone user, Healix Travel Vaccinations allows you to check which vaccinations you need to travel to any country (the app also provides country-specific travel and safety tips). You should also check with your primary caregiver. He or she should have an up-to-date list of required immunizations on file.
Know your health status. Planning a ‘round the world adventure? This would be a great time to schedule that basic health exam you’ve been putting off. Especially when traveling abroad or taking long trips, it’s important to know your health status inside and out. A general physical will help identify any health problems you may have and allow you to find a remedy before it gets any worse.
Stock up on your meds. It’s never a good idea to assume that you’ll be able to find the medication you need while on vacation. Even over-the-counter meds have different chemical make-ups and dosage requirements in other countries. If you regularly take prescription or over-the-counter meds, plan to bring as much as you’ll need for the duration of your trip.
Be aware of water quality and plan accordingly. In most parts of the U.S., we have the luxury of turning on the faucet in most places and drinking the water that comes out of it. This is not so in many other parts of the world. Research the water quality in the places you’ll be visiting. You may want to opt for bottled water or bring along iodine tablets for water purification.
Do some yoga. You don’t have to be a hard-core yogi to benefit from a few yoga stretches here and there while traveling. Doing yoga before and after your flight can do wonders for overall health. For some ideas, check out: “Yoga Positions to Ease the Pain of Long Flights.”
Eat well. It can be hard to maintain a balanced diet while on vacation, but it’s important to do so if you want to remain healthy for your entire trip. A few days of subsisting only on red wine and pastries takes its toll, after all. Grab some fruit and whole-grain snacks to keep in your hotel room, and follow your mom’s advice and “eat your vegetables” and a healthy dose of protein at each meal.
Stay hydrated. It’s easy to forget to drink enough water each day, especially if you’re on an intense travel schedule. However, it’s important to drink at least 8 large glasses of water a day (more if you’re physically active throughout the day). The dangers of dehydration can be as annoying as a slight headache or as sever as heart palpitations or fainting. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to ensure your health (and happiness) while traveling.
Get some exercise. Whether it’s taking a brisk walk around the city or going on a bike tour, it’s important to get regularly exercise each day (if possible). This will help to keep you healthy and keep your energy level up. Plus, being active outside is a great way to get to know your surroundings and discover new things while traveling.
Papua New Guinea’s mosquitoes generally prove to be more of a problem for travelers than bandits. While their bites and buzzing can be an annoyance, there is a more serious side to mosquitoes as they can spread malaria and Dengue fever. Cover yourself in insect repellent to minimize the chance of bites and illness.
Papua New Guinea has its fair share of land and sea nasties. Its home to a handful of dangerous snakes, including the death adder and taipan, although these reptiles will not attack unless provoked. Be careful when walking in areas with limited visibility, such as long grass or leaf covered ground, as you may startle these dangerous creatures. If you are bitten apply a compression bandage and stay still until medical help arrive. Major medical centers are well stocked with antivenins to deal with these emergencies.
It’s common to encounter leeches when hiking through Papua New Guinea's jungle areas. While they are generally not dangerous, they can cause bleeding when removed. Insect repellent can help to ward them off, while insecticide can aid in their removal.
Crocodile attacks are uncommon, but you should heed local warnings to ensure you don't become one of the rare victims. Jellyfishes should also be avoided when swimming, as their stings can be painful. Sea snakes and poisonous cone shells are also common in coral reefs, so keep your eyes peeled on diving expeditions.
All of these dangers can seem overwhelming, but by exercising caution travelers can stay safe and enjoy their Papua New Guinea vacation.