Nothing ruins a dive adventure like getting sick. A gut problem, a respiratory issue or any unexpected illness, can turn a dream dive trip into a major letdown. But with a little planning and some smart precautions, you can stack the odds in favor of staying healthy and getting every minute you paid (and dreamed!) for.

Here’s how to travel abroad without getting sick — and keep yourself in the water, not the hotel room.

Tips to Follow When You Want to Travel Abroad Without Getting Sick:

Traveling to new places exposes you to different climates, foods, and environments — all of which can have negative impacts on your body if you’re not prepared. To help you travel abroad without getting sick, here are some simple, practical steps to follow before and during your travels.

• Know before you go.
• In-Country precautions.
• Arm yourself with a small medicine kit.
• Stay hydrated, but watch the water.
• Vigilance at home.

Know Before You Go

After booking your flights and lodging with your dive buddy, the first step to make is to open the Centers for Disease Control’s Traveler’s Health portal to get all the up-to-date health notices for the place you are visiting.

You will find in these notices the status of any disease outbreaks, prophylaxis/vaccination guidelines and general tips for travelling such as outdoor safety tips, packing lists, and how to get medical care when needed while abroad.

It is highly recommended to check the vaccine and medications list for your destination and visit your doctor one month at least before leaving. You should take all the routine vaccinations in addition to some specific to each country or region.

You should also visit your doctor at least one to two months after departure as the immunity takes some time to develop after vaccination. If it isn’t available to see your regular physician, you can find many travel clinics that can help you prepare.

In case of having any medical conditions, ensure to discuss that with your physician. Healthcare standards can vary widely when you travel, so make sure you’re able to get any necessary prescriptions and know where to find a reliable medical facility when being abroad.

In-Country Precautions

It is a fact that vaccines and prophylactic medications are considered extremely effective, but there is still a possibility of getting sick. In addition, there are several diseases that the scientists haven’t find any effective vaccines to them. But to avoid falling ill, it is a good idea to take some general precautions.

Vector-borne diseases are the diseases that are transmitted by insects and animals. Using  bug nets, bug repellent, and long-sleeve clothing can have an effective role in reducing exposure to these vectors and also greatly reduce transmission of diseases.

The example of these serious illnesses, include yellow fever, malaria, and dengue and can be prevented by controlling for vectors.

There are many diseases that aren’t transmitted by vectors. Some diseases can be transmitted by contaminated food and water or via aerosols. These include  cholera, typhoid, and respiratory illnesses, such as influenza and COVID. There are some precautions to make like frequent hand-washing, wearing masks in places having poor ventilation, and  cooking food fully.

Arm Yourself with a Small Medicine Kit

One of the best ideas when you travel abroad without getting sick is to prepare a small medicine kit including the next medications:

• Anti-diarrheal medications.
• Antibiotic ointment.
• Motion sickness medications.
• Laxatives.
• Antacids.
• Antihistamines.
• Pain relievers.
• Activated charcoal for food poisoning.

Remember that you are the best one to decide what you may need. Having a sensitive stomach recommends bringing medications that can help ease digestive symptoms. With seasonal allergies, the exposure to pollen from plants that are new to you can cause a reaction.

Stay Hydrated, but Watch the Water

You may find it collide, but two of the most important international tips to travel abroad without getting sick are:

• First, it’s too important to pay a close attention to hydration when traveling — you may find yourself in different climates or altitudes, and your body demand extra water. Water helps in energizing your body.
• Second, water is also considered the thing that gets many travelers sick, so it is important to keep a close eye on your sources. In Europe, you won’t face any problem, as our water is similar, but In Asian, African, or Latin countries, don’t drink tap water in Asian. To be on the safe side, it is always recommended to drink bottled water wherever you go.

And remember to pay attention to things, such as ice in your drinks in addition to vegetables that are washed in local water.

Vigilance at Home

Hopefully at this point, you’ve enjoyed with a few days filled with exciting dive trips and great food and are ready to return back to home with amazing unforgettable memories.

Although you may be tempted to let your guard down, you must know that some infections may not manifest until you spend some days after returning from your trip. Visit your physician, and let hem know about recent travel history to give you the correct diagnosis.