It seems like forever since I was ‘healthy’. It reminded me of all the adventures I have had where some sort of health situation arose. For example, My mother and I seem to have a history with needing root canals in the middle of a vacation. She was in Vermont and I was traveling between Montana and Minnesota. Then there is just the plain old cold, flu, or the dreaded stomach bug. On the eve of an Anniversary trip to Idaho (with a brief stop in Raleigh, NC, beforehand), I and my husband both contracted a debilitating flu. High fever, sever congestion, body aches and just the wonderful feeling of death warmed over. So what does one do in these cases and how do you either prevent or make the best of these situations?
First, let’s talk about prevention. I highly recommend getting a flu shot about a month prior (if you haven’t received the flu shot already). Especially when traveling around the holidays or by airplane, you can save yourself a lot of pain by this preventative measure. My parents have also been big proponents of taking airborne and/or a probiotic the week before and during a trip. As frequent flyers to Orlando, there are a lot of kids on a plane that just recycles the germy air during a typical trip. This can be compounded by traveling during the winter when most families plan to escape the cold northern weather with a family vacation to Walt Disney World. Boosting your immune system before the onslaught of a plane ride has done wonders for preventing a vacation cold. Finally, when it comes to the stomach bug or, even worse, food poisoning, four preventative measures can do wonders. First, the probiotic mentioned before is great for maintaining digestive health while boosting your immune system. Secondly, ensure you are frequently washing your hands, especially before eating. Thirdly, check to make sure your meat is fully cooked in the middle before you start eating. When in doubt, don’t eat it. It is not worth the risk. Finally, remember plumbing and water systems might not be best in all countries. Drink bottled water or bring emergency filter tablets with you. This includes brushing your teeth. I will also use bottled water for making coffee.
But what if you still get sick? There are a couple of good tips that can keep you on the vacation train. First, don’t deny you are sick. Too many of us try to deny it and then it is too late. Go to a doctor, especially when you think it might be the flu. Make sure you take care of yourself and get the help you need before it gets so bad you end up in an emergency room. Most places, especially in the U.S., have walk-in clinics that can see you, even on weekends. If you are lucky, like I was on the Montana trip, you have the ability to reach a mobile doctor by Skype or phone. I was able to get prescriptions and talk with a doctor, even though I was out of town on a holiday. My best advice, however, is not to get too caught up in what you HAD planned, and use this illness as an excuse to give yourself a little down time. Order room service, pamper yourself, and relax. Find some fresh squeezed juice, hot tea, and whatever ‘home care’ remedies you find helpful. My husband and I spent our anniversary at a wonderful hotel and we did just that. It was still a great vacation, and it finally gave us some time to really slow down and not worry about plans, or timelines.
I hope your next venture is with a full bill of health but if you do get ill, maybe that is fate telling you that you need to go back and visit your destination again on your next vacation.
