How to Travel Safely During Flu Season
Earlier this year, thousands of travelers to Mexico either cut their trip short of canceled plans altogether once news broke about the swine flu virus. Several months have passed since then and the initial scare is over. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about the threat of getting sick.
The swine flu, also referred to as the H1N1 virus has now spread to every state within the United States making it a realistic threat to everyone’s health. As we move into a major holiday travel season, the chances of coming in contact with someone who is sick with either the regular flu or the swine flu increases. Over half of the people polled in a recent survey (51%) have said they would travel while sick due to the strict policies regarding canceling or re-booking flights on most airlines.
Visitors to the United States have the option to purchase visitors medical insurance which provides an extra layer of coverage while living or visiting relatives in this country. It is important to know ahead of time what conditions or procedures are covered when purchasing a visitors health insurance policy. Even though not all procedures are covered, having visitors medical insurance can save visitors hundreds if not thousands of dollars should they find themselves in need of medical care during their stay in the United States.
Here are a few other trips to ensure safe travel during the flu season:
Limit contact with people who show symptoms of being sick- This may be easier said then done, however it just makes sense to try to avoid contact with others who are coughing, sneezing or showing other signs of being sick. It is unknown whether or not disposable paper masks make a difference in preventing the spread of either type of flu.
Wash hands frequently- When it comes to preventing the spread of germs, hand washing is still the number one way to reduce your chances of getting sick. If you do not have access to soap and water, carry and use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. You can also carry sanitizer wipes which can be used to wipe down surfaces that come in contact with many travelers.
Don’t spread germs- If you are the person coughing or sneezing, make sure you are doing your part to prevent the spread of germs or illness. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and dispose of used tissues properly. If you do not have tissues, cough or sneeze into a shirt sleeve to avoid contaminating other surfaces.
Do not take unnecessary risks- If you have a condition which makes you especially vulnerable to the flu, consider postponing your travel until the peak of the flu season has passed. High risk travelers would include adults over the age of 65, pregnant women and children under the age of 5. Anyone who has a chronic illness of a suppressed immune system should limit exposure to other sick individuals.
It is not possible to completely avoid all instances where you might come in contact with someone who is sick. Nevertheless, by following these tips you may be able to reduce your chances of coming down with the flu while traveling this holiday season.
Kane Michaels is a freelance writer providing articles for American Visitors Insurance, a company that provides visitors insurance, including visitor medical insurance to individuals traveling to the USA.
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