Can Traveling Abroad Have An Impact On Your Health?

International travel can pose various health risks, depending on the characteristics of both the traveler and the travel. Travelers may encounter sudden and significant changes in altitude, humidity, microbes, and temperature, which can result in ill-health. Destinations with high standards of accommodation, hygiene, sanitation, medical care, and water quality pose a higher risk. Travel allows individuals to try new things and meet new people, helping them stay healthy.

This guide for BBC staff planning to travel overseas covers basic precautions needed when traveling to countries usually deemed to be of low health risk. It is essential to consider your overall health and fitness before traveling overseas, as your health may affect the destination you choose and what you experience.

Understanding travel health risks, taking preventive measures before, during, and after your travel, and coping with a health emergency abroad are essential steps. It is important to understand what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas before traveling and carry your insurance card and claim form if your policy covers you.

The most common travel-related sickness is gastrointestinal infection, which is generally picked up from poorly prepared food and untreated water. Have a medical check-up to ensure your health before traveling and discuss vaccinations with your doctor. Be prepared and aware of health issues when traveling.

Travel has been linked to stress reduction and can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Air travel involves several factors that could impact the health of passengers, while certain medical conditions can affect their safety and finances. Global travel exposes many people to a range of health risks, including different disease agents and changes in temperature, altitude, and humidity.

Does traveling affect your health?

Travel can be a relaxing escape but can also be stressful and affect mental health, leading to mood changes, depression, and anxiety. To reduce stress and protect mental health, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or travel health specialist at least one month before your trip. They can provide destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to offer more specific advice and recommendations. It is also important to mention any treatments for substance abuse, depression, or other mental health problems, as well as any prescribed or over-the-counter medicines or supplements.

Are long flights bad for your health?

Prolonged periods of sitting on a long-haul flight with minimal movement can result in muscle stiffness, which may subsequently lead to joint and back issues. Jenkins recommends that passengers should get up, move around, and stretch at least once per hour during the flight, and resume their normal activities as soon as possible upon landing.

What are the negative effects of Travelling?

Tourism has significant environmental disadvantages, including pollution caused by long flights and road trips, plastic pollution, and disturbances to the ecological balance. Long flights and road trips contribute to air pollution, while plastic pollution is a significant issue due to its single-use nature. Excessive water use and waste at natural sites can cause soil erosion, water, and land pollution, ultimately destroying the natural habitats of some animal species and plants.

Group travel, especially with close friends, can limit the travel experience and may limit the way you can experience a new destination. Different people may have different budgets, so staying in cheaper hotels may not be feasible. Additionally, some people may have health issues that limit the experiences you can have together.

To improve the situation and enjoy traveling with a group of friends, it is essential to discuss and agree on things upfront to avoid bad surprises. By considering these factors, you can create a more enjoyable and sustainable travel experience.

Is it common to get sick after international travel?

Post-vacation illness affects up to 80 percent of returning travelers, primarily due to a weakened immune system, traveling between different climates, poor hygiene, and air travel. These mild viral infections occur due to disrupted routines, such as poor sleep, altered eating habits, late-night drinking, increased alcohol consumption, and less exercise. Traveling also exposes individuals to crowded places and a diverse population, weakening their immune system and setting the stage for illness. Additionally, sudden temperature changes, which force the body to adjust to different climates before processing information, can also contribute to the illness.

What is the most common illness suffered by overseas travellers?

Gastroenteritis, or ‘gastro’, is a digestive system infection that affects 20-50% of travelers. It is caused by poor hygiene or contaminated food and drinking fluids. To prevent this, travelers should be prepared, understand health risks, and take reasonable measures to prevent illness and injury. Rabies, a disease passed from animals to humans, can be found in Africa, the Americas, continental Europe, and South East Asia.

In 2012, over 250 Western Australians were bitten or scratched by animals in Bali, Indonesia, and required rabies vaccinations. Around 100 Balinese died from rabies in 2009-2010 due to animal bites, mainly from dogs.

What diseases can you get from traveling?

Common travel-associated infections include HIV infection, influenza, Legionellosis, and Leptospirosis, with HIV infection occurring within 10–28 days worldwide. When evaluating ill travelers, it is important to review their vaccination history and malaria prophylaxis. Fewer than half of US travelers visiting low- and middle-income countries seek pretravel medical advice, increasing the likelihood of not receiving pretravel vaccines and antimalarial drugs.

Adherence to malaria prophylaxis reduces the risk and increases the possibility of alternative diagnoses. Hepatitis A and yellow fever are unlikely causes of hepatitis or jaundice in returning travelers. Routine vaccinations like measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) are also important. The most common vaccine-preventable diseases among returned travelers seeking care at GeoSentinel clinics during 1997–2010 included hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, and typhoid fever.

A traveler’s itinerary is crucial for formulating a differential diagnosis, as exposures differ depending on the region of travel and specific areas. Excluding certain infections based on the travel itinerary can help avoid unnecessary testing.

What are the health risks of traveling?

Traveling for business or leisure can be unhealthy, as it exposes travelers to infectious risks such as water quality, temperature, high humidity, and multi-resistant microorganisms. To address this issue, a new branch of medicine called travel medicine is needed. Travelers should receive a personalized healthcare plan based on international scientific protocols and epidemiological studies, including information about hygiene conditions and climatic differences in the region.

Upon arrival at the destination, travelers should schedule visits to a health professional, especially for those with chronic diseases or those taking medication. Vaccination is essential for specific destination countries. Healthcare professionals should be able to inform travelers and evaluate their needs. Research shows that only a few travelers are well-informed during a trip, and not all follow the required vaccinations and medications. The need for further development of travel medicine and expansion and availability of health services is crucial.

How long does travel sickness last after Travelling?

Motion sickness is a condition characterized by nausea, dizziness, or vomiting caused by prolonged travel in a vehicle, boat, or aircraft. It can also be triggered by activities like video games or standing on moving platforms. Motion sickness is a response to repeated movements, such as bumps or circles, which send numerous messages to the brain. When sitting in a vehicle or on a boat, the eyes send signals to the brain that the person’s position is constant, while balance mechanisms send signals that the person’s position is not changing. Symptoms typically subside after the journey ends, but some may persist for hours or even days.

Why do I feel unwell after being abroad?

Traveling between different climates can increase susceptibility to illnesses due to the body’s inability to adapt to the new temperature. This can lead to faster symptoms and can be managed with regulating body temperature and over-the-counter cold/flu medication. Leisure sickness, a psychological effect where individuals who don’t take time to relax often fall ill during vacations or weekends, has similar symptoms to the flu. To combat this, maintain an adequate sleep schedule, limit alcohol intake, and practice healthy habits like exercise and handwashing.

Low humidity on airplanes can also cause discomfort for germaphobes, as cramping next to strangers who may have brought a sickness may cause them to feel gross after the flight. Overall, staying healthy during travel is essential for overall well-being.

Is traveling hard on your body?

It is not uncommon for flying to result in temporary effects such as ear discomfort, jet lag, and dehydration. Additionally, there is an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when flying. Nevertheless, a considerable number of individuals do not experience any health complications when flying. It is not uncommon for individuals who frequently travel by air to express concerns about the potential effects of flying.

However, it is relatively uncommon for people to experience health conditions or complications directly as a result of flying. This article examines the potential effects of flying on health, methods of reducing the risk of such effects, and frequently asked questions about the relationship between health and flying.

Can flying cause health issues?

Flight cramps and prolonged periods of less activity can cause leg pain, stiffness, or swelling, leading to slow blood flow in veins and increasing the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVTs are most common in the legs and can break off and cause pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially life-threatening condition. To reduce DVT risk, consult the Deep Vein Thrombosis advice page. Additionally, ear, nose, throat, and dental conditions can be affected by air pressure changes during take-off and landing, causing a “popping” sensation in the ears.