Travel Survival Guide & General Prevention

Travel Survival Guide

Be proactive!

Take steps to anticipate any issues that could arise during your trip. The information in this section will help you plan for a safe and healthy trip.

• Learn about your destination.
• See a doctor before you travel.
• Think about your health status.
  • Are you too sick to travel? (Recent illnesses, injuries, or surgeries)
  • Do you have any special health needs? (Babies and small children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, or people with weakened immune systems)

Be prepared!

No one wants to think about getting sick or hurt during a trip, but sometimes these things happen. You may not be able to prevent every illness or injury, but you can plan ahead to be able to deal with them.

• Pack smart.
• Plan ahead for illnesses or injuries during your trip.
• Know what to do if you become sick or injured on your trip.
• Know and share important information about your trip.

Be protected!

It is important to practice healthy behaviors during your trip and after you return home. This section outlines how you can protect yourself and others from illness during your trip.

• Pay attention to your health during your trip.
  • Use sunscreen and insect repellent as directed.
  • Be careful when choosing food and water.
  • Try not to take risks with your health and safety.
  • Limit alcohol intake, and do not drink alcohol and drive.
  • Wear a seatbelt.
  • Wear protective gear when doing adventure activities.
  • Respect your host country and its people by following local laws and customs.
• Pay attention to your health when you come home.

Other Tips to Travel Smart and Stay Healthy

Vaccination is the first step toward staying healthy while traveling. Here are other important ways to avoid illness:

• Be careful what you eat and drink. Follow these food and water safety tips.
• Bugs (including mosquitoes, ticks and some flies) can spread a number of diseases. Use insect repellent and learn other ways to avoid bug bites.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Don’t touch animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and birds. Follow other tips to be safe around animals.

Traveler Information Center

Do you have specific travel health questions related to your reason for travel (i.e. adventure travel, cruise ship travel, study abroad)? The CDC has many resources for travel-specific guidance available on the Travelers’ Health website.