Triad physician shares health tips for summer travel
Last updated: July 16, 2024 10:42 AM EST
914. Summer is a great time to explore the world, try new things, and travel to see loved ones. But all of these things also come with health risks. So this week, we’re talking to a local doctor about how to stay healthy while traveling. As you may have guessed by now, Dr. Christopher Auld is an infectious disease specialist at Atrium Health at Wake Forest Baptist and a professor at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Good morning, doctor. Nice to see you. Good morning. Nice to see you here. So let’s start with your main advice on traveling and staying healthy. The main advice is that traveling is good for your mind and peace of mind, and your health. Go for it. Well, there are a few. Well, whether you’re traveling in Europe or Africa, there are some things you have to think about a little bit while traveling. So what are the most common illnesses in the summer? The most common are respiratory infections, colds, flu, coughs, etc. The second most common is diarrhea, depending on your destination. The third most common, believe it or not, is sunburn. Because a lot of the places that people go to are pretty close to the equator. Even if you’re by the water or on a white beach, you can get sunburned in 10 minutes. It only takes one bad sunburn to ruin your vacation. So if someone gets sick or catches a cold while they’re out, what do you think is the best thing to do? Well, there are a few things you can do before you leave. Um, I don’t think that’s it. Not Dr. Olaf. At least I won’t mention COVID. Um, because now we, um, three years ago we would have called it a surge. Now we just call it a rise. But COVID is more prevalent, we have some variants, and you can catch it while traveling, whether it’s at the airport, or the guy with the runny nose sitting next to you on the plane. Um, even in a hotel. So, if you haven’t been vaccinated in the last nine months, you might want to consider that. I don’t mean to be alarmist, but who wants to get sick while traveling? The other thing is, we always say this, but it really means a lot: wash your hands often. Because that’s one way that you can get it from other people and other things. Um, lastly, especially if you have a weakened immune system and, um, if you really catch a cold or the flu, it can be severe. You might want to wear a mask while you’re traveling. That’s totally up to you. Um, personally, when I travel, I carry a few things with me just in case I get sick. Um, one is my favorite nasal decongestant. The other is ibuprofen. Um, or acetaminophen. We call it Advil or Tylenol. If I get a fever, a headache, or a cold, I can use that to self-treat. Be aware, especially when traveling in other countries, that the rules and names of medications may be a little different. Acetaminophen is common in Europe, and you can’t buy ibuprofen in a lot of convenience stores or grocery stores in Europe. You have to actually go to a regular pharmacy, but you’re not going to Mars. Pharmacies are everywhere. Look for the big green crosses that are everywhere. Finally, if you’re going somewhere a little more exotic, like Africa or South Asia or India, that’s where you’re more likely to get diarrhea. By the way, if you want to get diarrhea before you go to Southeast Asia, like Thailand in South America, I recommend visiting a travel medicine provider in your destination before you go. They may be able to give you a vaccine. Sometimes some vaccines are actually required by the country. And they’ll prescribe you medicine for malaria prevention. And the most important medicine. When I travel to these countries, I take antibiotics and Imodium and things like that in case I get diarrhea. Both of those have saved me from tight spots with their great advice. As always, thanks to Dr. Christopher at Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist.
Triad physician shares health tips for summer travel
Last updated: July 16, 2024 10:42 AM EST
Summer is a great season to travel, but it also brings increased health risks. We spoke with Dr. Christopher Ohl, infectious disease specialist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, about what to do before your next vacation. Click the video player above to hear from Dr. Ohl.
Summer is a great season to travel, but it also brings increased health risks.
We spoke with Dr. Christopher Orr, an infectious disease specialist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, about what to do before your next holiday. To hear him talk, click on the video player above.
