Everybody knows that when they travel to certain countries on vacation, it is likely that they need to have shots to protect them against picking up nasty diseases. Often, these include shots to protect against malaria, typhus, or hepatitis, but there are also other health concerns, and if your trip is a last-minute decision, you may not realize that you need shots at all.
Why protect yourself at all?
When traveling abroad, you are exposing yourself to a whole host of bacteria and other nasties that may simply not be present in your home country, which means that your immune system has not had a chance to develop an immunity towards those particular bugs. If your immune system has already been compromised through a genetic disorder or a previous illness, you are even more at risk of picking up something that could seriously damage your health. This is why you need to have your shots, sometimes even months in advance of when you plan to travel as they may take a while to kick in.
The type of vaccinations you need and the precautions you need to take will depend upon your destination. Insect bites are common and can often be treated with simple ointments or sprays. However, it is worth using preventative measures rather than treatment to combat these, as some insects carry malaria. Eating new foods can upset your stomach and cause diarrhea, but this can also be a symptom of food poisoning caused by food being prepared in unhygienic conditions, so always maintain your own personal hygiene regime and keep away from any eateries that look questionable in this regard.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, especially the latter, you may not think twice about cleaning your lenses in local water or with a soiled napkin, but you could be risking your eyesight if you do so. Our eyes can pick up infections easily, so it is vital that you maintain a good cleaning regime while traveling abroad, using bottled water if necessary to wash out your eyes or your lenses. However, this can be a problem if you travel abroad a great deal, so you may want to consider doing away with your glasses or corrective lenses by undergoing laser eye surgery, a modern eye care treatment that is quick and relatively painless.
If your health is already below par near to your intended travel date, you should consider postponing traveling until you are better because your immune system may not be able to fight off any bugs that may head your way. Also, if you are noticeably ill, be aware that the airline may not let you board the airplane, in which case your travel plans will have to be postponed.
Traveling abroad is always an exciting prospect, but it can also pose problems for your health. The key is to be aware of the health issues present at your destination and ensure that you take the correct precautions so that you can enjoy your trip without having to worry about your health.
