If you are planning a family vacation or if you are going on a business trip to another country, there are several health concerns that you should know about. Physicians often warn patients about the dangers you pose to others if you decide to travel even whilst sick. Most physicians will give several health precautions about what you should consider before boarding a plane traveling abroad. Below is an outline that will be useful if you are unsure what to do.
Why and when should you avoid travel?
If you are sick with flu-like symptoms then it is highly recommended by physicians that you avoid travel and plan a schedule that will give you enough time to be rid of the flu before going on a trip. Physicians urge people to stay home if he or she is sick until at least twenty four hours after you no longer show a fever of 100 degrees or above.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
According to physicians, the most common types of flu symptoms include fever, chronic coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. It is also not uncommon for diarrhea and vomiting to occur and a lot of flu patients. If you show any signs of these health concerns, then you should see a physician immediately before traveling.
What should you know about health screenings at airports?
The H1N1 virus, the cause of swine flu, has become a major health concern. As a result, airports have begun hiring physicians to screen the health of arriving passengers for strands of the virus. Traveling passengers from the United States arriving in other countries may have their health checked, including symptoms of H1N1 flu. You should expect your travel to be delayed if your health is screened.
If you are traveling abroad from the United States, there are a few concerns you should address. Screens in other countries may ask you to:
• Pass through a device that checks your temperature.
• Have your temperature taken via oral or ear thermometer
• Fill out a questionnaire that asks about your health history
• Review what health symptoms are included with swine flu
• Provide contact information
• Be quarantined for an unspecified amount of time if you or anyone else is found to have the H1N1 virus
If you are suspecting in having the H1N1 virus, you may be asked to:
• Be isolated until your health is cleared by a physician and deemed safe
• Receive a health examination from a physician
• Take a rapid flu test from a trained physician
• Be hospitalized if you are tested positive for the virus until your health is cleared by a physician
Please keep in mind that all of these health procedures are done by physicians to ensure the safety of public health and the prevention of the spread of swine flu.
How should you prepare?
You should be aware of all outbreak information in the country you are traveling to. Most cases of the H1N1 virus were reported from the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
You should also think about getting vaccinated. Information about immunization can be found at the website www.flu.gov.
Remember that packing a travel health kit would be beneficial as it contains basic first aid and medical supplies you may need. You should also consider purchasing travel insurance.