HEALTHY WAYS TO TRAVEL DURING FLU SEASON

These tips and tricks will make you an expert on traveling safely during flu season.

The flu can take up to two weeks to run its course, disrupt your work and home life, and leave you feeling lousy. And if you get it during a tropical vacation or important business trip, you’ll likely feel even worse. Even though there’s no sure-fire way to prevent getting the flu, there are smart ways to protect yourself the next time you travel during flu season

How to Prepare for a Trip and Travel Smart During Flu Season

1. Get a Flu Shot

Schedule a flu shot at least two weeks before you go away to protect yourself and reduce the chance of spreading the virus to others. The vaccine protects against most common, circulating strains of the flu virus.¹

2. Research Your Destination

Before you pack your suitcase, research the current flu activity in your destination. Find out if your health insurance plan covers medical care where you’re traveling, and locate area hospitals and health care locations near where you’re staying.

3. Keep Your Hands Clean

Whenever you have access to a sink—on a plane, in restaurants, at hotels—wash your hands with soap and running water. Aim to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing with water. You can time yourself by humming the tune to “Happy Birthday” twice through.

If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer, especially before meals.³ Try to use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol, and rub your hands together for around 20 seconds until they are dry to get the best results.³

A man is putting hand sanitizer on his hand from a bottle

Try to use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol, and rub your hands together for around 20 seconds until they are dry to get the best results.

4. Keep Hands Away from Your Face

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. This is especially important when traveling in high traffic areas.²

5. Stay Hydrated and Get Enough Sleep

While jet- setting, it’s easy to fall short of the recommended eight glasses of water and seven to eight hours of sleep each day. But hydration and adequate rest are important for healthy immune function.

6. Eat for Vitamins

There’s the temptation to just grab convenient packaged foods during holiday travel, but when you make a conscious choice to eat for vitamins (i.e quality, healthy meals that include lots of fruits and vegetables), you’re nourishing your immune system and helping it stay strong in the face of germs.

7. Be Mindful in Crowds

Airports, restaurants, museums and public transportation are all hotbeds for germs. Rather than avoid crowds completely, be mindful of your surroundings. Use handrails sparingly, wash hands (or use an alcohol-based sanitizer) frequently.

8. Listen to Announcements

Pay attention to any news or government announcements regarding flu activity and follow any local movement restrictions.

9. Monitor Your Body

Once you return home, closely monitor your health for seven days. If you experience any flu-like symptoms, get plenty of rest, drink clear fluids and seek medical attention if necessary.

Can You Travel with the Flu?

Traveling while sick with the flu is not recommended. You must do everything in your power to avoid spreading germs. If you need to leave your home for medical care or other necessities, wear a mask, avoid coughing or sneezing in enclosed spaces or near others, keep your hands as clean as possible and disinfect areas you touch with sanitizer or cleaning wipes. To get relief for your symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, find the best Theraflu products for your symptoms.

Remember, the flu shot is the best safeguard for flu-season travel. If you’re wondering how to avoid the flu, the flu shot is your best bet—as well as keeping your hands clean, allowing for plenty of time for rest, and monitoring how you feel. Contact your healthcare provider if you’re concerned with your health while traveling.

References
Influenza Prevention: Information for Travelers. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/travelers/travelersfacts.html. Accessed 7/1/16.

Kozarsky, P. E., MD. Advice for Patients Traveling During Flu Season. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/713704. Accessed 2/1/17.

US FDA: Hand Sanitizers and COVID 19. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/qa-consumers-hand-sanitizers-and-covid-19 Accessed 7/25/23.

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Influenza updates. Retrieved July 01, 2016, from http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/en/

Kozarsky, P. E., MD. (2009, December 22). Advice for Patients Traveling During Flu Season. Retrieved February 01, 2017, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/713704

CDC. (2009). Stop, Wash, and Go To Avoid the Flu During Travel. Retrieved July 1, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/matte/pdf/123009stop_wash_go.pdf

CDC Says “Take 3” Actions to Fight the Flu. (2016, August 01). Retrieved August 10, 2016, from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.html

Lehmann, B. A., Ruiter, R. A., & Kok, G. (2013). A qualitative study of the coverage of influenza vaccination on Dutch news sites and social media websites. Retrieved July 01, 2016, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3679872/

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Flu Prevention. Retrieved July 1, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/basics/prevention/con-20035101

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus. Accessed on 6/10/2021.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) travel advice. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-safe-travel-advice/art-20486965. Accessed on 6/10/2021.

When and How to Wash Your Hands | Handwashing. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html. Accessed on 6/10/2021.