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No one likes to get sick when traveling, but not feeling
well on your honeymoon is far worse. You've been looking
forward to this special trip for months, so it's worthwhile
to take a few extra steps to ensure a healthy getaway. Fortunately,
if you plan ahead and play it smart, you can minimize the
risks of becoming sick or injured.
Considerations
Before Choosing A Destination
Do you
have any existing medical conditions that may require the
help of a doctor during your honeymoon? Will you be traveling
with infants or toddlers? Do you take medication that requires
refrigeration? If you answered yes to any of these, you'll
want to choose a destination that has readily accessible,
Western-style medical care, and reliable refrigeration.
Such needs will likely mean that off-the-beaten-track locations
may not the best choice.
If you
are uncomfortable with, or don't have enough time prior
to departure to get necessary inoculations (often required
when visiting developing regions such as Africa), consider
an alternative destination.
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Considerations
After Choosing A Destination
If you
are primarily visiting major cities or popular resorts,
you are not as likely to need preventative medicine or inoculations
prior to travel. However, if you're heading somewhere more
exotic, such as a Kenyan game reserve, you could be exposed
to tropical diseases, such as Malaria. In this case, it's
best to identify any suggested or required treatments far
in advance.
There
are a number of good online sources for travelers' health
information, with two of the best being:
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Travel Health Online
– If inoculations are required, this site has a list
of local travel health clinics.
Finally,
make sure to review your health insurance policy to determine
if (and how) you are covered while traveling. Depending
on your level of coverage, consider adding supplementary
travel health insurance. If going somewhere exotic (and
far away), make sure you have air evacuation coverage.
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Packing
For Your Health
The
health items you'll want to bring will largely depend on
where you're heading and what you're doing. If you are going
to a common tourist destination, just bring the basics -
pain/ headache, diarrhea and cold medicines along with sunscreen.
Conversely, if you are going somewhere exotic, you'll want
to take all the basics, plus items specific to that location.
Don't forget prescription information and make sure to have
it translated into the local language if going to another
country. Also, take any special activities into account
(e.g. diving) and pack accordingly.
Special
Bride Information
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During
Your Honeymoon
Dr.
Susan Anderson, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Stanford
Medical School and Co-Director of the Stanford Travel Medicine
Service, says there are three common health risks to watch
out for on your honeymoon.
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Bodily
injury: "Traffic accidents are the number one source
of health problems when traveling. People forget that
accidents can happen. Wear a seatbelt. Pay attention to
your mode of transport, and be prepared to get out of
a taxi if you don't feel safe."
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Chest/head infections: "Upper respiratory infections,
such as colds, affect many travelers, often a result of
spending several hours in an airplane." Dr. Anderson
recommends bringing Sudafed or an equivalent.
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Digestive ailments: "Diarrhea is a common traveler's
malady, particularly when visiting foreign countries.
It is usually due to contaminated food or beverages."
Dr. Anderson cites a Peace Core mantra for less-developed
destinations, "Peel it, boil it, cook it or forget
it!" For minor bouts of diarrhea, take Imodium, drink
plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and rest. If the diarrhea
doesn't go away after a few days, you should consider
seeing a doctor and/or taking an antibiotic such as Cipro.
While food on the street may look delicious, it's best
not to eat it or do so at your own risk. Tip: bring anti-bacterial
wipes to clean your hands prior to eating (if you can't
wash them). In some cases, the bacteria actually reach
your system when you touch a dirty doorknob or drinking
glass, and then eat with your hands!
Bottled
water is a must when traveling outside Western countries.
Also beware of ice cubes in those sumptuous cocktails - the
frozen amoebas can still get you. This is true even on airplanes.
Ask for your drinks without ice. At the hotel, check to see
if they have purified water systems or provide bottled water
in the room. Finally, brush your teeth with bottled water
if there is a question about the tap water.
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Too
much sun can quickly ruin your vacation. Apply sunscreen,
SPF 15 or higher, when you arrive at the beach. Watch
out for heatstroke as well - drink plenty of fluids to
maintain your energy and avoid dehydration. Sun is still
a concern in the mountains, given the thin atmosphere
at high altitudes.
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For women taking oral contraception and traveling across
time zones, it can be easy to forget when to take your
pill. Dr. Anderson says, "It is important to take
your pill on a 24 hour cycle, or you risk pregnancy. Bring
a watch with an alarm that reminds you when to take it.
Also, if you are sick to your stomach or have diarrhea,
your pill may not be absorbed properly. In that case,
use a back-up form of birth control."
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