How To Avoid The Flu While Traveling
As I write this, I am fighting off body chills and sniffling mightily. Is it a simple cold or is it the flu? Given the virility of this year’s flu season in the United States, the chances are very good for either illness. Luckily I don’t have a trip planned this week, but if I did – I’d stay home. Just in case.
You should too, by the way. Staying home and quarantining yourself until you don’t have a fever anymore is one of the best ways to stop the flu from spreading. You don’t have to invest in elaborate breathing masks or baste your body with thin coats of hand sanitizing gel to stop the flu. Just a few simple tips from the Centers for Disease Control can keep you from prolonging your illness or passing it on to someone else:
- Wash Your Hands. Chances are, you’re walking around touching things all the time, all day long, and then touching your face, your mouth, and any other areas where germs can get in an wreak havoc on your system. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly, and you’ll have a good chance of eliminating bad bacteria.
- Get Plenty of Sleep. Jetlag and general excitement can mess up your sleep schedule while you’re on a trip, but more importantly, those things can weaken your immune system, leaving you open to illness. Force yourself to lay down and have a nap or two for your health.
- Stay Hydrated. You already know that water is your friend and you should be drinking several glasses a day. If you aren’t meeting your water quotas, start now, as you could probably use the cold and flu fighting boost.
- STAY HOME. Cancel your flight, curse yourself for not buying travel insurance, get in bed with Netflix and some Kleenex, and your weekend is sorted. As I mentioned above, staying home is your best bet for shortening your illness’ cycle, and the best way to not pass on your sickness to anyone else. It also means you can’t travel right now – but who wants to leave the house right now anyway?
Travel Insurance Tips from Squaremouth
To be able to cancel or end a trip early and be paid back travel expenses, travelers need to have a policy in place before getting sick. If a traveler is already sick with the flu, it’s too late for insurance.
Too Sick to Travel
Travelers who come down with the flu before their trip and are too sick to travel can often receive their money back. A doctor’s note or medical records showing that the traveler is too sick to travel will be required when making a claim.
Travel Companion or Non-Traveling Family Member is Sick
A common misconception is that travelers need to be sick themselves to cancel their trip. Travelers can be covered to cancel their trip if a travel companion or family member such as a spouse, parent, child or grandparent has the flu.
Too Sick to Continue
If a traveler becomes so sick that they can’t carry on with their trip, they can claim for the expenses of returning homeearly and their unused hotel.
Treatment While Abroad
While it may be well known that Medicare does not provide any coverage abroad, people may not realize that many domestic health insurance policies do not cover them abroad. Travel insurance is designed for this purpose and can pay back travelers for medical treatment while on vacation, as well as provide 24 hour assistance in an emergency.
Travel insurance company Squaremouth created the Flu Season and Travel Insurance Information Center to explain coverage for the widespread flu outbreak. This page is regularly updated by Squaremouth’s travel insurance experts, and includes answers to frequently asked questions and official statements from providers.
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