Unfortunately, some of the most traveled times of the year also align with the seasons of the year where people are much more likely to get sick. And because no one wants to be sick when they’re celebrating with friends and family, it’s important that you’re able to do what you can to keep yourself healthy even when you’re going to be out and about during these times.
To help you with this, here are three tips for staying healthy while traveling during cold and flu season.
Get Vaccinated
One of the best lines of defense for avoiding things like the flu and other illnesses is to stay current on the vaccinations that are available to you. Especially for those in vulnerable demographics, like people in assisted living facilities, getting a flu vaccine and other vaccinations can be a great way to protect yourself from illness that could really wreak havoc with your body.
With the proper vaccines given at the right time and in the right circumstances, you can reduce your risk of getting certain illnesses and can mitigate the symptoms of other illnesses if you do become infected. So to give yourself the best chance of not getting sick when you’re going to be around a lot of other people traveling, it’s wise to check in with your doctor about available vaccines.
Avoid High-Touch Surfaces
When you are out and about during your travels, whether it’s on an airplane or stopping at a gas station along your road trip route, there are certain high-touch areas that you’ll want to avoid in order to keep as many germs away from you as possible.
If there’s anything near you that you know many people are touching or using, like door handles, buttons, and more, do your best not to touch those things. And if you do have to touch them, use a sanitizing wipe on them first and wash or sanitize your hands after you touch this item to avoid getting the germs that may have been left there.
Steer Clear Of People When You Can
While there are germs everywhere and on everything, most of these germs won’t get you sick. But if people around you are sick, it’s wise to steer clear of them as much as possible so that the germs from the sickness don’t infect you.
If you can, try not to get stuck in small areas with people who appear to be sick. Try to keep air movement to filter out stale air and get fresh air as much as you can. And if you are going to be in a tight space with a lot of people when you’re sick, consider wearing a mask to keep your germs from spreading.
If you’re worried about getting sick while you travel during cold and flu season, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you build up your defenses.
