How to ruin a trip with health problems?

 How to ruin a trip with health problems?

voyage santéOur dear holidays, as beautiful as they are, can quickly be ruined by a health problem when it could have been avoided. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of the best ways to get sick during your trip abroad, and some simple measures to remedy it!

Not inquiring about the destination in advance

In the age of the internet and the profusion of information of all kinds, it seems difficult to envisage a trip abroad without spending a few hours, even a few evenings, conjuring up all the information available on the place on the internet. where we intend to go. Some will of course prefer discovery, or adventure, but a minimum of documentation is still the only way to not miss your trip and end up with very bad surprises.

Neglecting necessary vaccines

In the same way, the list of vaccines requested by a foreign country is always accessible on the internet but can also be provided to you by the consulate of the country visited. In addition to the recommended vaccines, there is the list of recommended vaccines, which should not be overlooked because they can sometimes save you a lot of inconvenience. Consult our file on travel vaccines.

Not buying travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for some countries (such as China, Russia, Algeria or Cuba), but in addition to the possibility of obtaining a visa, it allows you to face problems of medical expenses, hospitalization or even medical repatriation. Indeed, a broken leg in the United States will cost you a small fortune, and gastroenteritis in a poor country will cost you a few thousand euros. Taking out travel insurance is the only way to be able to go abroad with peace of mind.

Not washing your hands frequently

Obviously, it is important when traveling to have the reflex to wash your hands (or disinfect them with a suitable solution) when you have touched something dirty. And dirty does not necessarily mean that can be seen with the naked eye! Airplane seats, for example, are veritable breeding grounds for germs. Especially if you go to countries where the minimum hygiene is not guaranteed, it is important to wash your hands as often as possible.

Drink tap water

Drinking tap water is strongly discouraged when traveling to developing countries. It is recommended to buy bottles of mineral water with capsule, proof that it has not been filled with tap water. In the same way, fruit juices, ice creams and ice cubes are to be excluded if they have not been made with bottled water.

Not paying attention to their diet

Obviously, it is tempting during a trip abroad to soak up all the local habits and therefore to upset the way of eating. Unfortunately your body is not always in agreement with this principle, and for your good and that of your stomach, you will have to be careful with badly washed or badly boiled foods. It is undoubtedly dangerous to radically change your eating habits overnight without affecting your health.

Not hydrating regularly

The proper functioning of the body depends, among other things, on adequate hydration. This is all the more the case when you feel tired from travel or jet lag or when your body is besieged by unknown germs. Do not hesitate to take a bottle of water with you everywhere. And if unfortunately you are sick, it is also thanks to good hydration that you will be able to recover more quickly.

Do not take a medicine kit

It is important to take a medicine kit with you containing basic medications. Indeed, it will sometimes be difficult to find equivalents to your medicines and it is also common, in certain regions, for pharmacies to be out of stock. A few carefully selected drugs can save you from an injury or a headache without ruining the trip!

 

 Do not treat small sores

When traveling, you will be confronted with a new environment that can cause minor sores. Who has never been bitten by a mosquito on vacation? But beware, these small inconveniences at first sight can quickly turn into a much more serious problem. A simple small cut that becomes infected, for example, can cause you a lot of trouble and a headache that persists at altitude can ultimately turn out to be acute mountain sickness. It is therefore important sometimes to know how to take the time to analyze small health problems and treat them before they really get worse.

Do not consult in case of concern

If you feel like you can no longer manage your health problem on your own, it's time for you to see a doctor. Do not hesitate to contact the assistance platform of your travel insurance so that they can advise you on the doctor closest to you. Visiting a healthcare professional will not be wasted time or money. In the worst case scenario, if you were wrongly worried, you can return to your vacation with peace of mind.

Not protecting your skin

Wind, sun, drought or mosquito bites are all factors that can harm your skin. A good sunscreen and an effective mosquito repellent are definitely products that should be taken with you.

Swimming in dirty waters

It is always tempting when it is hot to swim in a lake that you discover during a walk. However, you should know that swimming can be dangerous even if there is no prohibition sign. Some harmful algae can grow there or drain pipes can end up there. It is important to inquire beforehand with the local population.

Despite this list, rest assured, common sense is often what should guide your steps in matters of health. Be vigilant and everything will go as you always wished. And if a health problem arises, your travel insurance is there to cover your health costs. Good holidays !