Ohio State University Fact Sheet

Community Development

700 Ackerman Road, Suite 235, Columbus, OH 43202-1578

Travel Health and Safety

CDFS-701

Whether you travel for business or pleasure, nothing can spoil a trip more than being ill. These tips will help you maximize your health and safety, as well as maintain your wellness, while traveling. Myths regarding how to stay well while traveling abound; in this pamphlet, however, we offer medically and scientifically sound suggestions to improve your journey. Keep in mind that there is no substitute for common sense.

Introduction

In international travel, only 5% of medical problems are prevented by immunizations. Accidents and pre-existing illnesses are the leading causes of sickness or death in travel. Knowledge, not shots, is the key to a positive travel experience. Educate yourself about where you are going, and remember that it's not your home or backyard.

Travel/Lodging

• Many travelers overpack. To avoid this, find the luggage piece you are most comfortable carrying, pack it prior to your departure, and carry it around the house for at least an hour. If your shoulders, arms or other body parts hurt from carrying this piece, you may need to consider taking less or taking a smaller piece of luggage. Services such as bellhops and valets are not always available, and you may have to carry your own luggage.
• Avoid being alone.
• Avoid unstable countries.
• Ask for lower floors.
• Visitors are most vulnerable their first few hours in a new country. Keep alert. Have your lodging for the first evening arranged prior to your arrival, especially when traveling internationally.
• When traveling within a country by bus or train, consider traveling at night. Renting a car may be a good means to travel in another country, but you need to know the rules of the road. In some areas, it is best to leave the driving to someone else.

Food/Water/Medication

• Your first 'food' concern while traveling should be water.
• In addition to consumption, water is used in ice for drinks, food storage, brushing your teeth, and cleansing wounds.
• Be selective of what you consume that uses water. Salads are not recommended because water is used to clean the lettuce and also to store the product.
• Peel all fruits and vegetables to eliminate surface substances.
• The second concern of traveling is food handling. The less food is handled, the better. Choice: hamburger or steak? Choose steak because it is handled less in processing. Avoid milk if there is any question whether it has not been pasteurized. Be selective in what you choose to eat.
• Water quality, lack of proper cooking, and general handling are concerns that warrant a general rule of no shellfish or raw fish.
• Take an appropriate supply of medication in its original container and a copy of your prescriptions, including eye wear.

General

• When a parent and child are traveling together, many countries now require that the parent present a signed letter of travel consent to enter the country from the non-present parent.
• Some countries consider over the limit on credit cards a felony offense that can result in jail.
• Do not take anything that you can not afford to lose. Don't leave valuables in your lodging area.
• Enter your money pouch once a day. Take the amount of money you will need that day and leave the rest in the pouch.
• Carry your valuables (passport, travelers checks, cash) in a pouch under your shirt, in a plastic bag.
• Copy everything that you take with you (passport number, credit cards, license number) and leave with someone at home who is readily accessible by phone.
• Wear a swim suit in open water, pools, saunas, and hot tubs. Swimming in saltwater is relatively safe; few bacteria and viruses can survive in saltwater. Two concerns about saltwater: avoid any water within 200 yards of raw sewage dumping, and avoid 200 yards of where a stream or river enters the body of water. Avoid freshwater swimming in international travel.
• Always wear your shoes. There is no substitute for sturdy shoes (i.e., tennis shoes, walking shoes). Avoid heels if at all possible. Many types of bacteria, viruses, and other diseases make entrance into the body through the feet.
• Always carry sanitizing wipes or disinfectant wipes on your person.
• 90-95% of afflictions are treatable by yourself. Antibiotics and over-the-counter medication can assist many of the common travel afflictions. Should you experience diarrhea, the replacement ratio of liquids is one-and-a-half to what you excrete. Take liquid in small amounts frequently.
• Vomiting is not a sign of traveler's diarrhea. Vomiting tends to be related to food poisoning. Four warning signs of food poisoning are: a temperature of 101 degrees F or more for 24 hours, severe pain, failure to keep anything down, and failure to get better. In this case, consult a physician.
• Take an extra pair of prescription glasses in case one is broken. Always take a copy of your prescription.

With assisstance from:

Ron Blumfield
Ike Reynolds
Susan Schneider
Robin Schneider
Sharon Seiling
Donna Brown