Do you have an upcoming vacation, business trip, or different travel plan? Staying healthy while traveling is paramount. It’s essential to take precautions against situations such as dehydration, sunburns, diarrhea, illness, and infections so that you don't get caught unprepared. In this blog, we’ll explore six crucial tips so you can stay safe and healthy on your journey ahead.

For same-day travel health and vaccinations, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Cortez. Our medical team is here seven days a week to help support you and your family’s well-being, with no appointment required.

1. Research The Location and Ask a Health Travel Expert for Advice

Travel safety awareness is crucial when it comes to your health. It is better to be safe than sorry so when you are planning a vacation, consider doing some thorough research on the location, especially concerning the health situation over there. Look up travel information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website for details on the type of illnesses common in your location. It’s important to be aware of the different types of parasites and infections prevalent in an area that you might not already have immunity against. You will need information on the seasons and temperature, symptoms of illnesses, how to prevent them, and how to combat them.

You also need to speak to a health travel expert for advice to know if it is safe for you to travel there with your current medical status. Depending on your past vulnerabilities to certain illnesses, a medication you are taking, or your current illness, the health travel expert might advise you against going there.

2. Make Sure To Pack Medication And First Aid Supplies

You never know what might happen. That's why you should at least plan ahead in some capacity. It is advised that when taking a trip, one should pack all the necessary supplies ranging from a first aid kit to medication. Some locations might also necessitate the need for sunscreen, creams that can help with insect bites or several devices for killing insects. Always make sure to pack prescription medication, over-the-counter ones such as antibiotic cream and painkillers, sanitizers, etc it can come in handy and it is not uncommon to see a lot of people forgetting important prescription meds that they are meant to take, putting them in a bad situation for the entire trip. Don’t forget to also get some first aid equipment for treating wounds.

3. Safety Comes First

Again, prioritize travel safety awareness. Safety comes first and it is most important that one stays vigilant and safety conscious especially in an unfamiliar place. Make sure to watch the kids and your surroundings carefully. While you might be concerned about getting an infection while traveling, you should also not forget that severe injuries and illnesses are often caused by a medical condition you already have or accidents.

4. Make Sure To Eat Healthy

The food is part of the experience when traveling, getting to eat all sorts of dishes and snacks that you usually won’t eat at home but it doesn't mean you shouldn't do it without precaution. It is unwise to partake in any local dishes without first knowing if it is safe for you. Some locations simply have ingredients that don’t agree well with your body or are unsafe for you. Consult with a local on where it is safe to eat, do not eat in an unhygienic place, and also try and make some home-cooked meals, you don't have to eat out every time. Following these rules will save you from food-related illness and allow you to better enjoy the food abroad.

5. Stay Hydrated

It is no secret that the quality of drinking water can vary from place to place and water is a good carrier of pathogens, pathogens your immunity isn't built against. That is why you must do some research on the condition and quality of water in your vacation spot. Make sure you consult with a local guide and do not eat or drink out from any source you do not see local drinking from. If possible buy some bottled or sealed water to avoid drinking water from taps or wells.

Dehydration is very common, especially amongst travelers or tourists to tropical or temperate regions and some of the most common causes of dehydration is diarrhea due to the food or contact with an infected water source. Some other causes include not drinking enough fluids, vomiting due to an illness, and high alcohol consumption.

6. Visit an Urgent Care Center For Travel Health Services and Medicine

Urgent care centers are great resources for individuals planning to travel. Travel health services are designed to help people prepare for their trips by providing necessary vaccinations, medications, and further advice on health-related concerns specific to their destinations. It’s recommended to plan your pre-travel consultation and vaccinations well in advance of your departure. Utilizing travel health services at urgent care can help ensure that you are prepared for your trip and minimize the risk of encountering health issues while traveling.

Do you need travel health? Visit AFC Urgent Care Cortez! With walk-in appointments, extended hours, and a team of experienced medical providers, we have you covered. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about our services, please contact us directly at (970) 516-5500.