Spring and summer are popular times for travel. If you’re eagerly awaiting your next trip, you may not be thinking about what your plan is if you suddenly get sick before your trip, or if you get sick while traveling. Illnesses can happen unexpectedly, so it is important to understand the risk factors for contracting an illness while you’re traveling. Keep reading to learn more about ways that you can prevent illness while traveling.
If you’re in need of urgent illness diagnosis and treatment, AFC Urgent Care Linden is here to help. Our clinic provides walk-in illness care, complete with same-day diagnostic testing using our on-site laboratory. We never require that you schedule an appointment to get rapid illness care, making our clinic a convenient resource to help you get the care that you need before your next big trip.
Can You Catch an Illness While Traveling?
There are many different ways that you can contract an illness. Depending on what is causing the illness, both viruses and bacterial infections which cause most illnesses can spread directly from person to person, in addition to through the air and by living on surfaces. Sitting close to someone who is sick, whether they have symptoms or not, can cause you to contract their illness if it is vital and able to travel through the air.
In short, yes, it is very easy to contract an illness while traveling. With increased close contact with strangers, and increased opportunities to come in contact with high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and faucet handles, the odds of catching an illness while traveling are higher than your usual everyday life in most cases. In many cases, illness symptoms may not appear for the first day or two of the infection, meaning that someone can travel and be spreading their illness to others without knowing.
Tips to Prevent Illness While Traveling in Linden, NJ
Traveling can expose you to an increased risk of getting sick. However, there are ways that you can be proactive about your health and hopefully avoid contracting an illness while you’re sick. While you can never control who is around you when traveling and know exactly what illnesses they may be carrying, basic hygiene practices are very effective in preventing the transmission of illnesses.
If you’re traveling, consider the following precautions to prevent contracting an illness:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Carry hand sanitizer
- Sanitize your space on planes, busses etc.
- Wear a mask
- Avoid touching high-traffic surfaces
- Keep your distance from others when possible
Is it Safe to Travel While You’re Sick?
Illnesses often happen unexpectedly. It’s never a fun surprise to wake up feeling sick right before you’re supposed to be traveling. Unfortunately, even if you’re feeling sick, the circumstances may not allow you to cancel your trip. However, traveling using public transportation while sick is how you spread your illness to others, so it is important to evaluate the risk of traveling while you’re sick. Traveling also tends to make you feel run down and tired, which can make your illness symptoms worse. Rest and relaxation are both critical to allow your immune system to fight the infection.
In the case of most minor illnesses, there is no direct risk to your health to travel. However, there are some conditions that could pose a risk to your health if you plan on traveling on a plane. You should always consult a medical professional if you’re feeling sick before traveling, especially if you’re traveling on a plane. The pressure from the airplane can cause illness symptoms to worsen in some cases.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Linden for Same-Day Illness Care Services in Linden, NJ
Illnesses tend to appear unexpectedly and cause you to put a hold on your travel plans. If you’re in need of rapid illness diagnosis and treatment so that you can recover before your next big trip, AFC Urgent Care Linden can help. Our walk-in clinic offers rapid illness care for the whole family, with no need to make an appointment in advance. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you.
Our medical providers are board-certified and experienced in providing an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan for a variety of common illnesses. Our clinic is equipped with a lab, allowing our medical staff to perform diagnostic testing to determine the exact cause of your symptoms at the time of your visit with same-day results. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care. Walk into the clinic today.
