As I am sitting here writing this latest column, I’m still dressed in my pajamas, hair is not combed, I have on no makeup, my family is out somewhere galavanting across beautiful California and I am within walking distance of the porcelain throne. This spring break trip had been planned months in advance with great details surrounding which airline/car rental to choose, where we would stay, and which sites we would visit. The anticipation for this trip had been building for weeks but nowhere in that excitement had I anticipated getting sick. I’ve traveled to far more potentially dangerous places in regards to infectious diseases but leave it to me to get sick in the continental United States.
If you could imagine a “germaphobe” in the recesses of your mind, my picture should pop up immediately. So how did this happen to me?
When traveling, there are so many potential vectors for infection. Before you depart your destination city, every handle you touch, every bathroom you visit, and every Starbucks you patronize prior to boarding the plane are possible sites of infection. Let’s also not forget those germy airplanes. Once you board your flight, you put away your baggage overhead, you move to your seat and immediately place your smaller personal belongings in that seat pocket in front of you. Those areas are probably not cleaned as well as they should and could contain tissues previously used by another passenger. Germs on these surfaces can last for about two hours. Therefore, touching that tissue then proceeding to touch your eyes, nose or mouth can lead to infection.
The same concept can occur with gastrointestinal illnesses like mine. People who are ill and prepare your food without thoroughly sanitizing their hands can pass viruses or bacteria on to the customer. In addition, if foods are not stored at the proper temperature or cooked thoroughly, bacteria such as E.coli or salmonella could contaminate the food. In my particular case, I was so excited to have a fish taco and visited what seemed to be a decent place. However, I did note that the people preparing the food were not wearing gloves. In my book, that is always a bad sign. I should have followed my first thought and told them I had changed my mind and would be dining elsewhere. But no, I just had to have that fish taco with all of the condiments like guacamole and various salsas that had been sitting out for God knows how long! Needless to say, I am paying dearly with horrible abdominal cramps and significant nausea and vomiting.
So what can you do to stay in tip-top condition while traveling?
- 1. Never travel when you are sick if you can help it! Fellow passengers will appreciate you for not sharing whatever potentially infectious vector you may be harboring. In addition, cabin pressure in planes, unhealthy dining options, and lack of rest can all cause your current illness to worsen, delaying recovery.
- 2. Do your research! If you are traveling out of the country, this step is crucial. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a fantastic website for researching recommendations for particular countries. Information regarding immunization suggestions and advice around which medication is appropriate for preventing certain diseases is all located on the website. My advice would be that this process start at least 6 months to a year in advance. This will allow you to have plenty of time to complete certain vaccine intervals if needed.
- 3. Be wise as a serpent! (Not sure if serpents are really wise, but that is what people say!)
It is probably not the best idea to eat at little places off the side of the road! I recall seeing people sell roasted bat and rat meat and all other kinds of meat and vegetables while in Africa. This is a wonderful opportunity to get E. coli, a very nasty little bacteria that will have you hunched over with abdominal cramps, vomiting, and depositing bloody diarrhea in the toilet. When traveling to a third world destination, I would advise you to ask your healthcare provider for antibiotics just in case this happens to you. Better to have it and not need it than to be sick and not have it. Several of my patients and husband can attest to this.
- 4. (The most important one)Wash your hands all of the time and never leave home without your hand sanitizer! When you are traveling, whether by car, train or plane, you will have to touch various surfaces, many of whom are just teaming with microbes. Washing your hands is your best weapon!
Traveling should be fun and not filled with trips to the doctor or pharmacy! Bottom line: protect yourself and go explore the world!
Yours in Service,
Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
SLUCare Family Medicine
yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com
