Dr. Heather Viola<\/a>, a primary care physician at Mount Sinai Doctors-Ansonia.<\/p>\nFrequently Washing And Sanitizing Hands<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst and foremost, I constantly wash my hands, always carrying with me hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to prevent the spread of germs,\u201d Viola said. \u201cMany airlines are giving out alcohol-based disinfectant wipes when you board. I use these to clean my seat, headrest, armrests, tray table, and entertainment screen \u2014 basically, anything you may touch while sitting in your seat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Packing your own alcohol-based disinfecting wipes can also be useful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a big proponent obviously of hand washing,\u201d Battistich said. \u201cBut also trying to limit touching of shared surfaces and therefore limit the risk of coming into contact with bacteria and viruses. I make a game out of it with my daughter to not touch any surface in public bathrooms, including doors and toilet seats.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Masking](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/6491ac612300005800075eaf.jpeg\")
Masking and hand washing are still crucial for preventing infections.<\/p>\n
Staying Hydrated<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m taking a long flight, try to start out well hydrated and avoid alcohol on the plane,\u201d Battistich said.<\/p>\n
Maintaining a healthy water intake was a priority for all the doctors who spoke to HuffPost.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always travel with electrolytes \u2015 packets of dissolvable electrolytes \u2015 for water or vitamin water,\u201d Viola said. \u201cThis is a good way to keep hydrated with more than just water and help prevent in-flight nausea or dehydration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking Immune System Boosters<\/p>\n
Viola is also a fan of nasal mists and vitamin C tablets prior to boarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plane cabin is dry, and microorganisms are free to circulate in the air, so before I go on a plane, I take a few vitamin C tablets to boost my immune system and help give my body the ability to fight off airborne germs,\u201d she said. \u201cNasal saline spray or nasal mists can also help fight germs as they keep your nasal passages moist, which enhances your body\u2019s own germ-flushing activity. You can even apply a small amount of Neosporin or petroleum jelly just inside the nostrils \u2014 using a Q-tip if your hands aren\u2019t washed \u2014 to create a barrier between you and the airborne germs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Avoiding Peak Travel Times<\/p>\n
\u201cIf possible, try to travel during non-peak times, which often is the middle of the week and mid-morning or midday, instead of very early or in the evening,\u201d Bawer said. \u201cThis may depend on your city, though, so do some research ahead of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Avoiding the biggest crowds and sense of stress is a good way to cut down on your potential exposure to germs, and traveling in the middle of the day typically allows for a full night\u2019s sleep the night before or after your flight.<\/p>\n
Prioritizing Rest<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure to get adequate rest before your flight and if able, try to sleep while traveling when appropriate,\u201d Bawer said. \u201cWhen returning home, give yourself some time to re-adjust back to your daily schedule and environment. Try not to return home at 11 p.m. or midnight and then have to head straight to work the next day. Give yourself a few hours or, if able, an entire day at least to recover, get caught up on laundry or grocery shopping or other needed chores, and get plenty of rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fatigue can impair your immune system, as well as decrease your endurance and negatively impact your mood.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big fan of those flat packable travel pillows which support your neck, and I\u2019ve found bringing ear plugs and an eye mask or scarf to keep out the lights is super helpful for getting that extra bit of rest \u2014 like that hour at the end of a night flight where you still want to sleep but the flight crew turns the bright overheads on,\u201d Battistich said.<\/p>\n
![\"Resting](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/6491b7ab2500006200ba6a60.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Roma Black \/ 500px via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Resting is a key component to a healthy immune system.<\/p>\n
Not Overscheduling<\/p>\n
Just as you should prioritize rest to help your immune system, you should also try to reduce stress where possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t overschedule your trip to allow time to enjoy yourself and give some flexibility in the itinerary,\u201d Bawer advised. \u201cStress can induce sickness, especially in a new environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eating A Well-Balanced Diet<\/p>\n
\u201cEat a well-balanced diet leading up to the trip to get your body and immune system ready to fight anything it comes into contact with and on the day of travel as well,\u201d Bawer said. \u201cMost people don\u2019t eat as healthy while on vacation but try to incorporate fruits and vegetables with all meals to keep your immune system at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n
She always packs healthy snacks and a refillable water bottle to ensure she gets the nutrients she needs during her travels. <\/p>\n
\u201cOften we don\u2019t have time to eat, especially with flights being delayed or late, and we either skip meals or grab something quick, which is rarely healthy,\u201d Bawer noted.<\/p>\n
Researching Travel Vaccines And Medicines<\/p>\n
\u201cI make sure I am up-to-date on vaccines before travel,\u201d Wu said. \u201cFlu and COVID-19 are so common among travelers, and even a mild case can ruin a trip. Also, for international travel, there are additional vaccines that might be recommended or required, or even malaria prophylaxis for some areas. I suggest travelers check the CDC [Centers for Disease Control Prevention] travel website or see a travel medicine specialist for advice.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to getting the necessary travel vaccines ahead of time, you may want to procure special medications in advance.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsider getting a prescription for diarrhea medicine if traveling to another country where traveler\u2019s diarrhea may be an issue,\u201d Bawer advised. \u201cIf traveling to another country, avoid drinking their water \u2014 this includes anything washed with local water like salad and fruit. Focus on eating foods that have a shell and don\u2019t need washing and drink bottled water. Also, use this to brush your teeth. This can help to avoid traveler\u2019s diarrhea from developing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Packing an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal like Imodium is another good idea, especially when traveling internationally.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m uncertain about particular meals, I try to stick to foods that have been fully cooked and are served hot, avoiding raw and undercooked foods,\u201d Viola added.<\/p>\n
Keeping Up With Sun Protection<\/p>\n
\u201cWear sunscreen daily,\u201d Bawer urged.<\/p>\n
Whether at home or on vacation, you should apply (and reapply) a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. Keeping up with your sun protection regimen is especially important if you\u2019ll spend a lot of time outside during your travels. <\/p>\n
\u201cSunburn and heat-related illnesses are some of the most easily preventable causes of a ruined vacation,\u201d Battistich said. \u201cDon\u2019t forget sunscreen, long sleeve shirts \u2015 linen is great for hot climates \u2015 and hats. The bigger and more packable the hat, the better.\u201c<\/p>\n
Buying Insect Repellent <\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s an outdoorsy trip or I\u2019m going to tropical areas, I make sure to pack bug repellent,\u201d Wu said. \u201cMosquitoes, ticks and other biting bugs can transmit many infections.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ensure your sunscreen complies with local regulations<\/a> and check the CDC\u2019s recommendations for effective products.<\/p>\n\u201cIt isn\u2019t always easy to find these things on the fly, so preparing in advance will eliminate the chance I am caught off guard,\u201d Wu added.<\/p>\n
Packing Medication<\/p>\n
\u201cI also bring over-the-counter medications that I will have on hand in case I start to feel unwell,\u201d Viola said.<\/p>\n
She packs acetaminophen for pain or fever, ibuprofen for pain, an antihistamine like Benadryl and Pepto-Bismol in case of stomach upset.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy doctor\u2019s travel kit included some preventatives and some emergency rescue meds,\u201d Battistich said, listing many of the same medications, as well as anti-nausea medications and remedies like SeaBands, ginger packets, and aromatherapy sticks. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is evidence that taking Pepto-Bismol tablets before and during travel can help reduce in the risk of traveler\u2019s diarrhea,\u201d she added. \u201cI also back very basic wound kits with Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, and if going to a hot and humid climate, or when hiking and backpacking, I will also often bring an antifungal cream.\u201d<\/p>\n
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When travelers return home from a vacation, they typically bring cool souvenirs, cherished memories and a broadened perspective…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":676335,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[49,48,84,14038,117399],"class_list":["post-676334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-health","tag-travel-and-tourism","tag-travel-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/676334","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=676334"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/676334\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/676335"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=676334"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=676334"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=676334"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}