8 Absolutely Vital Steps To Healthy Travel Abroad

A vacation overseas is an exciting event. Exotic locations can mean a greater risk for potential health problems and a larger chance of not finding adequate medical services.

Plan your travel health as carefully as your travel itinerary with the Fox News Channel's Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld suggested 8 Tips for Travel that will ensure a safe, happy and healthy vacation.

1. Have updated shots.

Check with the CDC on the internet at www.cdc.gov/travel and specify which countries you will be traveling, to check on the current immunizations required. This site also has many suggestions on staying healthy during your trip.

2. Brush your teeth with bottled water.

Because local water can have bacteria and parasites, don't brush your teeth with tap water. If bottled water is unavailable, boiling water for at least 1 minute is long enough to kill any diseases and avoid illness.

3. Try and peel vegetables and fruits before eating them.

Local fruits and vegetables can also harbor parasites and bacteria that can make a healthy traveler ill. For that reason, the CDC advises not buying food from street vendors. Dr. Rosenfeld proposes skinning raw fruits and vegetables before eating. Always be sure that your food is cooked fully.

4. Take additional medication with you.

Running out of necessary medicine could ruin a great vacation. The unexpected does happen, so why not prepare for it now? Plan on packing several days more prescription medication than the number of days you plan on traveling. Then you can rest easy during a delay, knowing your health is secure.

5. Take a first aid kit.

Make your own first aid kit and keep it with you on your travels. Be sure to include pain and anti-inflammatory medication, topical antibiotic cream and antihistamine and/or decongestant. You should also consider anti-malaria meds if your destination warrants. Also take anti-motion medication, antacids, mild laxative and anti-diarrheal medication. If you like throat lozenges bring them. Anti-fungal and 1% hydro cortisone creams are also a good idea. The usual cadre of band aids, moleskin for blisters and alcohol pads and latex gloves to treat others are important.

6. Invest in travel insurance.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could see into the future? But because we can't, buy a cushion of comfort in the form of travel insurance. The more expensive the trip, the more important this investment could be.

7. Avoid swimming in ponds or lakes.

It is fine to swim in chlorinated pools and the ocean, but do not swim in still bodies of water like ponds or lakes. Don't swim in rivers either. The same bacterial and parasitic conce
s of drinking water exist in still bodies of recreational water.

8. Combat mosquitoes.

Bring insect repellent including DEET of 20-50% for adults and children over 2 months. Wear long sleeved shirts and pants and spray them as well. Wear sunscreen first then apply the repellent and wash off again before going to bed. These precautions will help fight off mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. Mosquitoes transmitting malaria are most active at dusk and dawn while daytime mosquitoes tend to transmit dengue fever.

If an injury or unexpected illness hits a member of your traveling party, seek help from one or more organizations that specialize in this type of situation. The International Society of Travel Medicine and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene both have websites and can give you information on clinics in your area. MEDEX at www.medexassist.com is another organization referenced on the CDC website that is worth checking into.

Travel healthy by being prepared. Take pleasure in knowing you are ready for the unexpected which of course means the unexpected can't happen.