Three Healthy Travel Tips Clients Shouldn’t Ignore
by Dr. William Spangler /
Springtime travel is in full swing, and with it reports of seasonal bugs. During the week of Feb. 10, 2017, the flu hospitalized 29.4 per 100,000 people in the United States, and as always this time of year, rising temperatures are causing other viruses to thrive.
Some travelers may have resigned themselves to the idea that crowded airports, germy bathrooms, and compounding jetlag will wreak havoc on their immune systems—but savvy travel agents can reassure travelers with these important tips:
Don’t (exclusively) rely on the flu vaccine.
While the flu vaccine is the single best thing you can do to prevent getting sick, it doesn’t make you invincible. Don’t forget the standard measures for staying healthy—thoroughly washing hands and getting plenty of rest.
Don’t fly sick.
This may be an unpopular tip, especially if you are gearing up to take a trip of a lifetime or to meet an important client. Healthy travel begins with healthy travelers, though. Traveling sick makes others vulnerable to illness and introduces a number of risks to travelers themselves—all the factors that make travelers more vulnerable to illness when they’re on the road also make it more difficult for those who are already sick to recuperate. Indeed, sick travelers may not even be allowed on the plane. Some larger airlines assign staff members to screen travelers as they board.
Do your homework.
Look into the unique health threats that exist at your destination. Norovirus is prevalent in colder climates and confined spaces (like cruise ships), while tuberculosis is common in Asia and Africa. Zika panic has died down considerably, but it’s still a risk (especially in the Caribbean and South America). Consult the CDC or WHO websites to understand the local medical challenges you’ll likely face and take precautionary measures relevant to your destination.
Sometimes, travelers’ best efforts aren’t enough to stave off illness before or after their trips. Travel insurance is a tool that allows travel agents to realize ancillary income while protecting their clients if they end up needing to reschedule a trip or seek medical attention abroad due to illness.
Dr. William Spangler is the worldwide medical director for Travel Guard, an AIG company that provides travel-related emergency medical and assistance services.