Summer means vacations for a lot of people. And vacations mean traveling which is part of the fun for many. However, it can also lead to ruining the time away if you contract an illness from the planes, trains and lodging that make vacations possible. Still, there are ways to minimize the risks and make summer trips memorable in only the good ways!
Much of it comes down to common sense. Germs are everywhere and they can't be avoided altogether. For most of us, our immune systems do a pretty good job of fighting off germs before they cause sickness. But we can improve our odds by being sensible about our travels and not make illnesses a sure thing.
The Budget Travel website posted an article listing the germiest parts of air travel. The site said that water, airplane meals, seat pockets, the tray, pillows, blankets and the bathrooms all require special attention.
The website stated that in 2007, an "investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed that airlines cleaned their blankets every five to 30 days..." It also reported that in the same year, "University of Arizona researcher Jonathan Sexton tested tray tables from three major airliners, and an alarming 60 percent tested positive for the superbug [MRSA]."
Read more: http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/1012_airplanegerms,3506/#ixzz2YrzMFFb1/
When traveling by plan, bring your own light blanket and tiny pillow case to cover the ones given to you. Even when these items are handed to you in a vacuum seal, it doesn't necessarily mean they are clean. And antibacterial wipes for the trays in front of you can really help to eliminate what has been left behind.
Cheap flights mean quick turnarounds for airplanes and there is very little (if any) cleaning done between flights. I wipe all my surroundings in a plane. I may look a little crazy but it's worth it for me. The same can be done for trains and buses.
Avoiding ice (it can contain all sorts of germs) is wise too, and go easy on the meals. They are full of processed carbs, can be unsafe and may make jet lag worse.
A decent, healthy meal beforehand and some pre-made snacks are a much better option unless the flights are very long. It's hard to avoid the public bathrooms in airports, airplanes and rest stops but wiping the seats and handles before using facilities, as well as frequent hand-washing, can make a trip a lot healthier.
There has been a resurgence of bed bugs in recent years. According to the CDC, "Bed bugs are usually transported from place to place as people travel. Bed bugs travel in the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags, folded clothes, bedding, furniture, and anywhere else where they can hide. Most people do not realize they can transport stow-away bed bugs as they travel potentially infesting new areas ..."
Hotels and holiday apartments can be a real treat! But checking for bed bugs is really important. Lift up blankets and pillows and the mattresses to see if they are there. They are small but visible to the naked eye. Bed bug give nasty bites and love to travel home with their hosts. A five-minute check can avoid that.
Wipe off the phones, the remote controls and check the rooms for mold. Sheets are cleaned after every guest but blankets and bedspreads are not. We fold them and put them away as soon as we arrive.
One great thing about vacations is the option of summer buffets. These are usually great long tables full of colorful and seasonal foods with what seems like endless variety.
But remember that foods presented like this in mass quantities can harbor bacteria that can cause food poisoning and digestive conditions that can take months to heal. I learned this to my detriment in February and am still under a doctor's care due to the infection I got.
It's hard to tell what may contain dangerous bacteria but use your eyes to make sure that foods meant to be hot are hot and foods meant to be cold are cold. Are buffet servers using gloves when restocking?
No matter how great the place you're staying, it just takes one employee or guest to sneeze, cough or touch something with dirty hands to make a person sick.
Make sure you don't allow your children to handle foods and then put them back. In our family, if you touch it, you eat it!
Bring a small first aid kit that contains wipes, pain relievers, band-aids and medications for stomach and digestive upset. If you are travelling to an area where the water sanitation is unclear, only drink bottled water. Check out kids' clubs - are the toys and facilities clean?
Remember that most hotels and vacation homes are cleaned well in between guests. But life is still full of germs and critters waiting to greet us. Using common sense and being aware of your surroundings while on the road can make the difference between a wonderful time away or a vacation that is spoiled by sickness.
Happy trails!
Sources:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Environmental Health Services. " Joint Statement on Bed Bug Control in the United States from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Web. Retrieved July 23th, 2013.
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/publications/bed_bugs_cdc-epa_statement.htm
Budget Travel.com. Mile High Health Risks. 6 Places Germs Breed in a Plane.
http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/1012_airplanegerms,3506/?page=1
Reviewed July 15, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith