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Getting sick happens. Sit a bunch of travelers down and the conversation will eventually lead to who was sick where and what it was from. It’s not a contest, but it’s more camaraderie in that we have all been there. It ranges from bus trip motion sickness to food poisoning to dengue fever. For people that get only two or three weeks of vacation, losing any travel time to sickness can be a real bummer. Follow this advice to minimize your illness during your vacation. Also, remember that travel is stress on the body, so make sure you’re taking care of yourself like you would be at home. Eat your vegetables. Get plenty of sleep. Drink water.
To avoid stomach bugs, beware of the ice you consume. Make sure it looks like it’s been purchased and not chipped off of a big block. In addition, avoid raw veggies that could have been washed in dirty water. Instead, go for food that’s been cooked. Go for beverages like coffee or tea that have been boiled. Also, try to eat at places that are busy. If they’re busy, the meat isn’t sitting around. The turnover rate is high enough that no evil germs have time to grow. At the first sign of gastric distress, take a probiotic. This is especially helpful if you find yourself on some sort of antibiotic that’s killing a lot of the bacteria in your gut.
Bathrooms in other countries may not be as nice as bathrooms in your home country. Always carry some tissues and hand sanitizer with you. You may not be able to wash your hands as frequently as you are used to at home, so sanitizing your hands before you eat can save you from colds and other illnesses.
Finally, if you do get sick, talk to the front desk of your accommodations, and they can point you to a pharmacy. In most countries, pharmacists have a basic medical knowledge and can recommend medicines for a cough or something straightforward. If you are feeling incredibly sick, most travel insurance companies will have a 24-hour hotline and can help you find a doctor in your area. A fear of illness is no reason to stay at home. There’s support and medical information for tourists all over the world. Happy traveling!