MEDICAL MOMENT: 10 TIPS FOR HEALTHY TRAVEL

05 Apr MEDICAL MOMENT: 10 TIPS FOR HEALTHY TRAVEL

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NURSE PRACTITIONER ERIC JOHNSON ADDRESSES THIS WEEK’S SUBJECT:

TEN TIPS FOR HEALTHY TRAVEL:

Eric C. Johnson, Primary Care Practice Manager, Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner

1. Seek Consultation with a knowledgeable health care provider 2-4 weeks prior to travel.

2. Get appropriate vaccines for specific destinations. These should be done at least 2 weeks before travel, but even have benefit if given in a shorter interval.

3. Create a personal first aid and medical kit containing travel and personal medications for your trip. These should be in your carryon luggage and always in their original containers.

4. Consider evacuation and travel insurance if traveling out of the U.S. InsureMyTrip.com or TripInsuranceStore.com are two providers.

5. Take precautions against malaria and other insect borne diseases. Take anti-malarial medication as recommended by your health care provider. Medications should be purchased in the U.S. as many medications overseas contain no active ingredients. See Travmed.com for insect protection products.

6 Road safety is important, always wear seatbelts and use helmets on bikes and motorcycles. Avoid night time driving.

7. Abstain from casual or unsafe sexual practices to avoid any exposure to HIV, Hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted diseases.

8. Assure safe water and food supplies. Avoid raw foods and any non-treated water. Stick to bottled water that you have opened. Carry Potable Aqua or other water treatment product as a back up.

9. Avoid excessive sun exposure by using sunscreen with a minimum of an SPF-30 rating. Be aware that sun is most intense from 10-4 and when on water, snow or at altitude.

10. Leave animals alone. Rabies or other infections and be a serious risk from bites or scratches.

Editor’s note: The Telluride Medical Center is the only 24-hour emergency facility within 65 miles. You can choose your own medical provider visit with a specialist or take advantage of their Mountain Skin Care services. As a mountain town in a challenging, remote environment, a thriving medical center is vital to our community’s health. For more Medical Moments on TIO, Click Here.