Traveling During Flu Season

As you are making travel plans, it is important to consider that your risk for exposure to the flu depends on your travel destination and time of the year. One must take proper precautions when traveling during flu season. The flu season can start as early as October and can last as late as April or May in the Northern hemisphere. However, in the temperate destinations in the Southern hemisphere, flu activities typically start in April and can last until September. In the tropics, the flu occurs throughout the year.

How can I prepare for my trip when traveling during flu season?

Before you leave for your trip, you should:

• Research the current flu activity in your destination.
• The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone 6 months or older get a vaccine early so make sure that you are up to date on your flu vaccine.
• If you need to get a flu vaccine, get it at least two weeks before you travel.
• Find out whether your health insurance plan will cover your medical care during the trip.
• Consider purchasing additional insurance and/or travel insurance.
• Research health care resources in order to prepare for cases of medical emergency while on your trip.

What should I do to protect myself during my trip?

During your trip, you should:

• Follow local guidelines and pay attention to announcements from the local government.
• Practice healthy habits such as washing your hands often, covering your mouth/nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and avoid close contact with sick people.

What should I do if I feel sick during my trip?

If you have flu-like symptoms during your trip, you should:

• Follow all local health recommendations.
• Follow treatment recommendations of getting plenty of rest, drinking clear fluids, placing cool/damp washcloth to reduce fever, gargling salt water, and covering up with a warm blanket to calm chills.
• If you continue to feel symptoms and are at high-risk for flu-related complications, seek medical attention immediately.
• Contact a U.S. embassy for assistance in locating medical care.

Additional travel tips

Prior to leaving on your trip, consider contacting your nearest Healthpointe urgent care location to schedule an appointment for a travel physical, which is imperative to help identify potential health problems before you go on your trip.

However, if you are sick with symptoms of flu, it is recommended that you should not travel. Some common symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuff nose, muscle or body aches, headache, and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea, which is usually more common in children. If you are sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. If your symptoms continue to persist, your nearest Healthpointe urgent care location will also treat your cold and flu illness on a walk-in basis in order to get you feeling well faster so that you resume your travel plans! Give us a call 888-719-8448 for more information!

About Healthpointe:

Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles county, Orange county, San Bernardino county and Riverside county). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Los Angeles, which is conveniently located near Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, South Gate, Lynwood, Montebello, Monterey Park, and Alhambra. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit healthpointe.net