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Steps to Stay Healthy While Traveling

New York Times writer and experienced world traveler, Jane Brody, shares her tips to stay healthy while vacationing in developing countries.

Below are highlights of her recent post for the New York Times, which can be found at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/22/staying-healthy-while-traveling-the-globe/?ref=health:

1:   Drink and brush your teeth with water from a sealed bottle that you open yourself.  Avoid ice in your drinks.

2.   Keep your mouth shut when you take a shower or swim in a pool.

3.   Before every meal, chew a 262 milligrams  bismuth subsalicylate tablet (Pepto-Bismol).

4.   Stick to “safe food” that is fully cooked and served hot.  Eat only fruits and vegetables you have washed in bottled water and peeled yourself.  Never eat undercooked foods (eggs, meat, fish or poultry).  Do not eat street food.

5.   Wash your hands often – always before eating.  If soap and water are not available use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

6.   Carry an emergency supply of Lomotil (for digestive problems) and azithromycin (Zithromax Z-pak, for infections).

7.   Be up-to-date on routine vaccines – measles-mumps-rubella, varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio and an annual flu shot.  Review recommendations for specific destinations on the C.D.C. website at cdc.gov/travel.

8.   Bring sunscreen, insect repellent with 20 percent or more of DEET, motion sickness pills and a first-aid kit (with hydrocortisone cream, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment and a variety of bandages).

9.   If you are at risk for blood clots when flying or driving long distances, book an aisle seat so you can get up every hour and walk around for a minute.  Move your legs and flex your ankles frequently.  Wear graduated compression stockings.  For more information, check the C.D.C. advisory on blood clots and talk to your doctor.

10.  Purchase travel health and medical evacuation insurance.

11.  Carry a card that lists your blood type, any chronic illnesses or serious allergies and the generic names of prescription medicines you take.  Bring some extra doses in case of travel delays.

12.  To avoid parasitic diseases like schistosomiasis, do not swim or wade in fresh water in developing countries or wherever the sanitation is poor.  Pools should be chlorinated.

13.  Do not touch or feed any animal you don’t know.  Some carry rabies so if you get bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and clean water and, if at all possible, get to a doctor quickly.

14.  If you expect to be at a high altitude (8,000 feet or higher), consult your doctor about medicine to prevent altitude sickness.  The recommended preventive is acetazolamide (generic version of Diamox).