Traveler's guide to avoiding infectious diseases

As exciting as traveling can be, it is essential to prioritize your health and safety before embarking on any journey. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to protect yourself from potential health hazards, both before and during your travels. By being proactive, you can minimize the risk of contracting any illnesses and ensure that you stay healthy throughout your trip. One crucial step in staying healthy during travel is to research the health risks associated with your destination. Different regions of the world are prone to various diseases, and it is vital to be aware of these risks before you go. This knowledge will enable you to take the necessary preventive measures, such as getting vaccinations or taking medication to prevent malaria, if needed. In addition to understanding the health risks, there are several other steps you can take to stay healthy during your travels. These include practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face, which can help prevent the spread of germs. It is also essential to stay hydrated, particularly in hot and humid climates, as dehydration can lead to a range of health problems. Furthermore, it is crucial to prioritize your mental health during your travels. Traveling can be stressful, and it is essential to take care of your emotional well-being while on the road. This may involve taking breaks from sightseeing to rest and recharge, seeking out support from friends and family back home, or practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga. While it is true that most infections contracted while traveling are minor, it is still essential to be aware of the potential risks. In rare cases, travel-related illnesses can be severe or even deadly. By taking the appropriate preventive measures and prioritizing your health and safety, you can ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip, free from health worries.

The best public sources for up-to-date travel information are the:

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BEFORE TRAVEL

Talk to your health care provider or visit a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before you leave for your trip. You may need several vaccinations. Some of these need time to work.

You also may need to update your vaccinations. For example, you may need “booster” vaccines for:

You also may need vaccines for diseases that are not commonly found in North America. Examples of recommended vaccines include:

Certain countries have required vaccinations. You may need proof that you have had this vaccine in order to enter the country.

People who may have different vaccine requirements include:

Check with your provider or local travel clinic.

PREVENTING MALARIA

Malaria is a serious disease that spreads by the bite of certain mosquitoes, typically biting between dusk and dawn. It occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical climates. Malaria can cause high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, and anemia. There are 4 types of malaria parasites.

If you are traveling to an area where malaria is common, you may need to take medicines that prevent the disease. These medicines are taken before you leave, during your travel, and for a short period after you return. How well the medicines work varies. Some strains of malaria are resistant to some preventive medicines. You should also take steps to prevent insect bites.

To protect yourself from insect bites:

ZIKA VIRUS

Zika is a virus passed to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, rash, and red eyes (conjunctivitis). The mosquitoes that spread Zika are the same type that spread dengue fever and chikungunya virus . These mosquitoes usually feed during the day. No vaccine exists for preventing Zika.

There is believed to be a link between mothers with Zika infection and babies born with microcephaly and other birth defects. Zika can spread from a mother to her baby in the uterus (in utero) or at the time of birth. A man with Zika can spread the disease to his sex partners. There have been reports of Zika spreading through blood transfusion.

Before 2015, the virus was found mainly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. It has now spread to many states and countries including:

The disease has been found in certain regions of the United States. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website — www.cdc.gov/zika.

To prevent getting the Zika virus, take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Sexual transmission of the virus can be prevented by using condoms or not having sex with a person who is possibly infected.

PREVENTING INSECT BITES

To prevent against bites from mosquitoes and other insects:

FOOD AND WATER SAFETY

You can get some types of infections by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. There is a high risk of infection from eating undercooked or raw foods.

Stay away from the following foods:

Drinking untreated or contaminated water can lead to infection. Only drink the following liquids:

Do not use ice in your drinks unless it is made from purified water. You can purify water by boiling it or by treating it with certain chemical kits or water filters.

OTHER STEPS TO PREVENT INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Clean your hands often. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based cleanser to help prevent infection.

Do not stand or swim in fresh-water rivers, streams, or lakes that have sewage or animal feces in them. This can lead to infection. Swimming in chlorinated pools is safe most of the time.

WHEN TO CONTACT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

Diarrhea can sometimes be treated with rest and fluids. Your provider may give you an antibiotic to take on your trip in case you get sick with severe diarrhea while traveling.

Get medical care right away if:

Contact your provider when you return home if you were sick with a fever while traveling.

Travelers’ health; Infectious diseases and travelers

Beran J, Goad J. Routine travel vaccines: hepatitis A and B, typhoid. In: Keystone JS, Kozarsky PE, Connor BA, Nothdurft HD, Mendelson M, Leder, K, eds. Travel Medicine . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 11.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Zika virus. For healthcare providers: clinical evaluation and disease. www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/preparing-for-zika/clinicalevaluationdisease.html . Updated January 28, 2019. Accessed January 24, 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Zika virus: transmission methods. www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/transmission-methods.html . Updated July 24, 2019. Accessed January 25, 2022.

Christenson JC, John CC. Health advice for children travelling internationally. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 200.

Freedman DO, Chen LH. Approach to the patient before and after travel. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 270.

World Health Organization website. International Travel and Health 12 May 2021 – Country List. cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/documents/emergencies/travel-advice/ith2021_countrylist_final_26may2021.pdf?sfvrsn=f8d06644_1&download=true . Published May 12, 2021. Accessed April 29, 2022.

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 04/29/2022.

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