Travel infections: practical steps to stay healthy abroad

Travel can expose you to bugs, bacteria, and viruses you don’t meet at home. That makes a short trip turn into a nasty illness fast. This page gives clear, useful advice you can act on before and during travel to reduce your risk and know what to do if you get sick.

Before you go

Check required and recommended vaccines for your destination. Some countries require proof of vaccination; others just recommend shots like hepatitis A, typhoid, or yellow fever. Visit a travel clinic or your doctor 4–8 weeks before departure so vaccines and any prescriptions take effect.

Pack a small medical kit: basic antibiotics only if your doctor prescribes them, oral rehydration salts, antifungal cream, antiseptic wipes, a thermometer, and any regular meds. Bring copies of prescriptions and a note from your doctor for controlled drugs.

Buy travel insurance that includes medical evacuation and local hospital care. Research the names and locations of reputable clinics or hospitals at your destination before you land.

On the road: quick rules that work

Handle food and water carefully. Drink bottled or treated water in places with unsafe tap water. Avoid ice in drinks unless you know the water source is safe. Eat food that is cooked hot and served fresh. Skip raw salads and street food that sits uncovered if you’re unsure.

Protect against insect bites. Mosquitoes spread dengue, Zika, malaria, and others. Use EPA-approved repellents with DEET or picaridin, sleep under treated bed nets where needed, and wear long sleeves in the evening. If your trip is to a malaria area, take the anti-malarial medicine your doctor prescribes and finish the full course.

Practice basic hygiene. Wash hands or use sanitizer before eating and after bathroom use. Clean hands cut the chance of many infections.

Know common symptoms and act fast. Fever, severe stomach cramps, persistent vomiting, bloody diarrhea, jaundice, or breathing trouble need prompt evaluation. If you develop a high fever after insect bites or return home and feel unwell, tell the clinician about your travel history—where you went and what you did.

Avoid risky self-treatment. Don’t take leftover antibiotics or buy pills from questionable online sources without a prescription. Wrong meds can mask symptoms or make infections harder to treat.

Keep records. Note dates of vaccination and any medicines you took. If you do get sick, this helps clinicians make faster, safer decisions. When in doubt, seek care rather than waiting—many travel infections get much easier to treat if caught early.

Follow these steps and you’ll cut your risk of a trip-ruining infection. Travel smart, and if something feels off, get professional help quickly.