Viruses, the bane of human existence for thousands of years and just one of the many infections you could get while on travel. Preparing for the possiblity of contracting one of these critters could mean the difference between a minor inconvience or serious illness and hospitalization in an unfamiliar place.

PREVENTION:

1. Vaccines: The best way to protect yourself from getting seriously ill from any of these viruses is to receive the appropriate vaccines. I am a holostic practitioner but I understand the science and these vaccines unequivocally save lives.

Vaccines do not prevent you from contracting pathogens but they do help keep people from getting seriously ill or dying from disease.

2. Wear a mask when in any crowded venue -

I will likely wear a mask in all airports and while flying for the rest of my life!

3. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer after contact with high touch surfaces, using the bathroom and before touching any food.

4. Take care of yourself. Allow time for adequate sleep, exercise, relaxation and healthy food intake.

COVID-19

We are all familiar with the now infamous coronovirus so named for it’s discovery in 2019. Although we would all like to think (or pretend) that the virus that caused the pandemic is no longer a threat, the reality is that the little menace is here to stay and it is still causing significant disease. With most people now performing home based rapid testing and few public health entities tracking illness and hospitalizations, it is nearly impossible to estimate the true prevelence (rate within a community at a point in time) and incidence (rate of new infections). In 2023, the CDC estimates that 75,000 Americans died of Covid-19, ranking it the 10th leading cause of death (1).

My family, in particular, is very familiar with contracting Covid while on travel.

My son got it in Florida during a trip to swim with the manatees (Jan 2022), my father-in-law contracted it in Mount Hood, OR (July 2022), I contracted it in New Zealand (Jan 2023) and my husband contracted it in Alaska (Sept 2024). We all keep up to date with our vaccinations so thankfully none of us had severe cases although I seemed to get it the worst (fever, headache, muscle aches, shortness of breath and cough). My “packing a pharmacy” strategy worked well each time and we were prepared to handle the infections without ever leaving our accommodations.

And this is just what I pack in my under seat carry-on!

Covid symptoms often come on more quickly and tend to be more severe (fever, cough, shortness of breath and sometimes diarrhea) than common cold viruses (rhinovirus, parainfluenza).

The first step in trying to cope with illness while on travel is testing. This allows you to know what pathogen you are dealing with and what to look out for. You can often get FREE covid tests through your local health dept., government program or medical provider’s office. Covid 19 rapid tests are now available in most pharmacies and cost about $25 for 2 tests. Some of you may balk at that cost but just think about having to find a medical provider, getting an appt. and paying for a visit ($ hundreds of US dollars if your insurance isn’t accepted) in an unfamiliar place (all while you are feeling miserable).

Also, if you are in a high risk group, knowing what you have will afford you the chance to take a Rx medication that could keep you out of the hospital. Discuss getting a Rx for Paxlovid* to bring with you on travel or at least know what the office protocol would be to get a prescription while you are out of town (will you need a virtual appt? Can you just call and report a positive rapid test and get a Rx sent to a pharmacy where you are located)? Are there pharmacies where you are traveleing to (Healy, Alaska has NONE)?

* There are certain medications that you cannot take while on Paxlovid, this will need to be reviewed with your provider before obtaining a Rx

People at risk for more serious illness are those older than 50, younger than one, those with chronic health conditions (obesity, hypertension, asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and those with autoimmune diseases).

If you are not at high risk for serious covid infection then it would at least be wise (and considerent to others) to stay isolated for several days or wear a mask if you will be in contact with other people. If you are feeling OK you could still participate in mild outside activities BUT LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Rest, stay well hydrated (urine should be light yellow or clear in color) and take over the counter medications to help with fever, headaches or muscle pains.

INFLUENZA (the “Flu”)

Inluenza can be difficult to distinguish from covid as they both can present with the same symptoms (fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, cough). Unfortunatley, you also can contract both infections at the same time making you feel extra aweful.

You now can purchase (in the U.S.) combination (flu and covid) or single rapid home test kits for influenza A & B at local pharmacies. The cost of these tests will likely far outweigh the potential costs of having to find a medical provider while on travel.

If you are in a high risk population (the same as for covid) you would likely benefit from taking the prescription medication called oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to help prevent hospitalization and death (2). In 2023, the CDC estimates that over 47,000 people in the U.S. died from influenza related illness, ranking it the 12th leading cause of death. (3).

If you are not at high risk for serous illness then follow the same principles as if you had covid. Rest, drink lots of fluids and listen to your body about how much activity you can handle.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV has been around for quite some time causing respiratory illness in infants, children and adults.

For most healthy children and adults RSV causes mild cold like symptoms (runny nose, congestion, sore throat, headache, fatigue, cough and fever). However, RSV can cause serious infection and it is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, pneumonia and hospitalization in children under the age of one (4).

Until recently, there were only RSV vaccines available for pregnant women and young infants at high risk for serious illness (premature infants, kids with weak immune systems or those with neurologic, congenital or respiratory diseases).

In 2024, the U.S. approved an mRNA RSV vaccine for use in older adults (indicated for those over the age of 60) (5). Discuss with your medical provider if you or your children are candidates to recieve the RSV vaccine.

References:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/changing-threat-covid-19.html

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22997224/

3. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/flu.htm

4. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38091530/

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