Going on a trip is fun and exciting.
Packing up, I’m thinking of new places to visit, new friends to meet, new foods to enjoy and a nasty respiratory infection.
Wait ... what?
It’s true: Traveling to a new destination can put you in touch with all kinds of new things — including the latest bug or virus.
Being a healthy traveler is something many of us may take for granted, until things go wrong.
Dr. Anne Zink, former chief medical officer for Alaska, is back at her post as an emergency room physician at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. She sees everything that goes wrong.
That includes “blisters, cuts, infections, eye abrasions, dental infections,” she said, detailing some of the minor but irritating injuries that are common among travelers.
Putting together her own medicine kit for a trip, Zink said the specific contents depend on where she’s going and what she’s doing.
When planning for her climb of Aconcagua, elevation 22,837 feet, in Chile, she included high-altitude medicine.
Often, when traveling to a far-off land, she plans ahead to get necessary vaccinations in advance. Before traveling to Cambodia, she got a shot to protect her against Japanese encephalitis, a nasty mosquito-borne virus.
In preparation for a six-week assignment in Bhutan, Zink got a rabies vaccine due to reports of rabid dogs in the tiny kingdom.
Lately, her travel kit includes medicine to help with dehydration and replenishing electrolytes because she loves to travel to places and run in the mountains with friends.
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In addition to over-the-counter medicine to help with garden-variety ailments, she includes some Advil and some bigger bandages in case she gets a bigger-than-usual cut or abrasion. She also includes some Ace bandages.
“I wish I was a better mountain runner,” she said. “I’ve broken both my ankles while out running.”
Zink’s ankles are healed up now, which helps with her regimen during and after a long flight.
“I try and get up and walk on a long flight,” she said. “And the first thing I do after arriving and drinking some water ... is to get out and go for a walk. It helps me get oriented to the place.”
Zink stressed the need to stay well-hydrated on a trip, particularly for kids. “It’s especially easy for little ones to be dehydrated,” said Zink. “Keep some oral Pedialyte packages handy. And good hand-washing is important, too. Their hands get dirty pretty fast.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remains an excellent resource for a traveler’s first aid packing list.
Most of the contents of a travel first aid kit should cover you until you get to a clinic. Be sure to get a travel insurance policy that covers emergency medical care. Many policies also provide guidance on where to find a clinic — even an English-speaking doctor.
Donna Phillips recently retired from Providence Alaska Medical Center after a career that spanned 45 years. Now, she works at the Alaska Nurses Association. She advises travelers to start preparing for a successful, healthy trip well before leaving for the airport.
“Investigate where you’re going regarding diseases,” she said. “Your provider may have some specific tips regarding immunizations.”
The CDC also offers resources for travelers regarding routine vaccinations, food and water safety and traveling with medications.
I asked Phillips if she wears a mask on the plane these days, and she said she always keeps one handy.
“There’s definitely more people coughing on the planes than during COVID,” she said.
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In addition to airborne bugs in the cabin, air travelers should be aware of sitting for long periods of time. In addition to getting up and walking, Phillips advises doing ankle pumps while seated.
Your provider may recommend compression socks, to combat swelling in your lower legs during long flights.
Staying hydrated during long flights is a priority.
“Be sure and fill up your water bottle before getting on board,” said Phillips. “And let me just say that it’s better if you don’t drink alcohol while flying.”
As a million-miler on Alaska Airlines, Phillips combines her nursing experience and her travel chops to offer some timely tips.
“I always carry some Clorox wipes for my airline seat, the armrest and the area around me,” she said. “I never go anywhere without hand sanitizer — and it’s really important not to touch your face.”
“Hand washing, hand washing and more hand washing,” she said for emphasis. “You’re on the plane, touching the seats on the way to the bathroom. Hand washing!”
Phillips has developed her own travel kit for when she flies. It includes Benadryl (antihistamine), Excedrin (headache), Imodium (intestinal trouble) and other over-the-counter medicines.
“Keep your medications handy during the flight,” said Phillips.
Check with your health care provider when you’re planning your trip and ask about potential health risks at your destination. If you’re traveling internationally, ask whether vaccines for hepatitis A or B are recommended. If you’re traveling to Africa, ask if a malaria treatment is appropriate.
Phillips travels often to see family in Texas, where there’s been an increase in measles cases. “Measles are just so contagious,” said Phillips. “It’s just crazy.”
In addition to pills and medicine, though, it’s important to plan ahead to keep everyone comfortable on a long trip, especially kids.
“Be sure and have some snacks you know they’re going to eat. And bring enough diapers and a change of clothes,” said Phillips.
Whether you’re preparing to run up a remote mountain with friends or going to visit family in the Lower 48, it pays to take some extra steps to be a healthy traveler.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Donna Phillips’ last name.