Traveling is the general movement of individuals between various geographic locations. Travel can be undertaken by foot, car, bicycle, plane, train, bus, boat, bicycle, horseback or other mode, with or without additional luggage, and is one way or round trip traveling. Most modern vehicles are capable of both traveling within the country and traveling a long distance in another country. A variety of different modes of transportation exist for traveling long distances in the United States, Canada and Europe.
People often underestimate the variety of possible situations that they might experience while traveling, so it is important to be prepared for whatever might happen. If you or someone you know has been sick or has become ill and unable to travel, you should seriously consider getting tested with a viral hepatitis vaccination. Hepatitis is highly contagious and could easily lead to serious complications if traveling is not carefully planned and monitored.
As a pregnant woman traveling to Latin America, you would need to get vaccinated and monitor your condition closely. There are several travel advisories that are specific to Latin American countries and each carries their own set of travel restrictions. Some of these guidelines include not traveling alone and avoiding areas of high risk for disease. Women who are pregnant may experience miscarriage if traveling during their first trimester. If you have an infant or young children with special needs, it is also very important to consider getting tested for Hepatitis C. If you already have the virus, it is important to monitor your health regularly.
A traveler may become sick from a common illness or virus that was not detected before traveling. A medical exam will help determine if you have an illness that is relevant to traveling. It can also provide information about common symptoms, ways to prevent contamination and infectious diseases. Being prepared with an illness is much better than being unprepared.
When traveling, it is very important to follow precautions. One of the best ways to prevent catching a disease or catching the wrong virus is to use public transportation. Car pool if possible to avoid catching anything. If you do choose to ride in a car, it is important to get familiar with the area and be alert for symptoms of various diseases. Always wash your hands often especially after using the restroom and don’t share drinks or eat from public transportation. The most common place to pick up the infection is in the mouth so be aware of this and take care of it when traveling using public transportation.
If you decide to use an airplane for traveling, you may need to have an object tested for radiation. The object must be packed in a baggie and checked in before traveling. If you have a small watch on your wrist you should not put it on your lap as this could increase the risk for cancer. If your watch is a metal watch you should put it on your arm where you can’t rub it against your body. If you have a thick article of clothing, such as a terry cloth shirt or leather jacket, it is advisable that you don’t put the object on your lap because it will increase your risk for radiation poisoning.