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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2020)
10 Wednesday, March 11, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Commentary... Staying healthy while you travel this spring By Susan Waymire, CTC Correspondent Being sick can put a damper on the best of days. While traveling, being sick can turn a magical dream vacation into a nightmare. What can you do to keep yourself healthy while trav- eling, and what is available toward prevention of acquir- ing those nasty viruses or infections? Right now, Coronavirus is making the headlines. While the number of cases is still relatively few in the United States, it is scary. American airline carriers have recently ceased service to China, and the WHO is escalating their warnings. Southeast Asia and the area are also of concern. If it9s not Coronavirus, it9s Norovirus, SARS or the flu. All of these viruses have occasionally crippled the travel industry. Is it enough to cancel those travel arrangements now? It remains to be seen. We are still early in the develop- ment of this virus and seeing its impact. While we would all like to predict how this current viral threat plays out, it really depends on you and your own health. Certainly, trip planning to China should be postponed if you don9t have a trip on the books yet. If you have a winter tropical vacation planned, then you may want to consider taking precau- tions in the airports enroute. If you do have a cruise, tour or airline ticket to China or Asia, you need to check with your travel advisor or supplier. Some are making adjustments to their itinerar- ies. Many travel insurance companies are not offering coverage if you don9t actu- ally have the disease. Yes, it can be financially scary as well. Cancellation based on fear is generally not covered by travel insurance... you must be personally impacted medically. You9ll probably get further with the sup- plier but you need to follow up with the insurance com- pany, if you purchased travel insurance. Then, what can you do toward prevention? While I am not a health profes- sional, there are some com- monsense pieces of advice. The most important is to wash your hands! Airports and airplanes have thou- sands of people streaming through their environments. Additionally, you may want to toss some hand sanitizer and surface wipes in your carry-on to wipe down your airplane tray and your hands prior to eating or drink- ing onboard. Those who have respiratory illnesses or immune disorders may want to consider a hospital face mask in transit. I per- sonally take an immune- booster such as Airborne or something similar prior to flying. Additionally, I pack along Zicam or an equiva- lent should I feel symptom- atic. Do they work? I can9t say for sure but I feel they can9t hurt. For those of you who fol- low my articles, you know I travel to unique destinations. The sickest I got last year was after my conference in Las Vegas. Someone men- tioned that Norovirus was prevalent there during that time. I9ve traveled to Egypt, Italy and remote Canada within the year with no prob- lem. Las Vegas bit me. Many conference attendees mean many germs. So& extra pre- cautions if you9re traveling on business. On my remote trips I pack along a first aid kit filled with essentials. I pack aspi- rin or ibuprofen, Imodium, stomach aid, cold medica- tion, nasal spray, antibiotic, Neosporin, as well as blis- ter aid, band aids, tapes and compresses. With my kit, I carry my own medications as well. I know my vulner- abilities. What9s in your per- sonal first aid kit? It depends on your trip and you. If you9re on a trek you9ll want more than a sightseeing trip as pharmacies and medical attention will generally not be available. If you are per- sonally susceptible to infec- tions you may want to ask your doctor for some back- up medication to get you by until you get home. All of these items are packed along in my carry-on luggage. Then we have the issue of vaccines. Where are you traveling? First, you should contact your own health- care provider to see if they have recommendations for you. If you are looking at a remote tropical destination, you9ll want to consider a yellow fever booster or anti- malarials. Hepatitis A, B and C should be considered in Africa and other developing countries. In India you9ll want to look at additional typhoid prevention. My favorite go-to (short of my own healthcare provider) is Passport Health. They have nurses on-site that will give you treatments. If your own provider doesn9t have the vaccine it9s worth checking with Passport Health. They will sit down with you and look at your destination then provide advice. It9s your choice from there. From Sisters, you will need to travel to Portland for an appointment. I9ve traveled enough and seen the inside of overseas medical clinics. I can say that in most cases, I would rather deal with my own doctor. Most of my illnesses have happened in remote places, so having some med- ication on hand was a life- saver to make the long flight home until I could get in to my own doctor. The biggest thing you can do is know your body and pack accordingly. Don9t leave anything up to over- seas medicine if you can pack it along. In some coun- tries, antibiotics are readily available, such as Mexico. But in developing coun- tries, you want to make sure you know what you9re getting. Travel well and travel smart! Top Notch Pole Buildings, LLC A Notch Above The Rest - Any Size, Anywhere Jeff Meadors CCB #218429 541-410-7983 jwmeadors63@gmail.com 69240 Enewetak Lane, Sisters, OR 97759 Gypsy Wind Clothing Comfortable, aff ordable clothing! Sizes small to 2X. Open Wed., Thurs, Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Closed Sun. - Tues. 351 W. HOOD AVE., SISTERS Black Garlic Infused B TRUFFLE OIL If only this photo was scratch-n-sniff . 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