There's no place like it
Whether you travel for leisure or for business, chances are you will be exposed to climates which you are unaccustomed with. Your vulnerability to disease dramatically changes when you shift locations with differing environmental settings, practically within a week. It is thereby much more important to keep your health in top condition, in anticipation of whatever changes you may encounter in your trip.
Prevention is the best first measure against disease. Find out which ailments are common in your destination, and have yourself protected with vaccine shots against them. Remember that different countries have varying requirements, and some diseases may require multiple doses in order to be effective, so give yourself enough time to fulfill this safety measure. Make sure that you get enough rest before the trip, so that your immune system will have an added reserve for a particularly long trip.
If you are traveling on a plane, moving through different time zones and light conditions can mess with your biological clock, resulting in jetlag. This alone can ruin your entire trip, giving you discomfort, an inability to sleep properly, restlessness, and an upset stomach. You can avoid this condition by staying out of the sun a day before boarding, and up to a day after your arrival, if you are traveling from west to east. If you are moving in the opposite direction, take a brisk jog immediately after arrival. Altitude sickness is also common; your body may not be able to cope with sudden changes in altitude conditions, resulting in migraines, a shortness of breath, and dehydration. Prepare yourself for the discomfort by jogging on trails with gradually increasing heights before the trip. You may also take the prescription drug acetazolamide, which may ease the symptoms and relieve the discomfort.
Purchase medication before you take that trip. There is a possibility that you may find it more difficult to secure prescription meds on your destination, those with the same strength as the one you are currently taking. Don’t settle for less when it comes to drugs, especially the must-haves such as allergy prescriptions, insulin shots, and inhalers. Purchasing pain killers and anti-diarrhea meds are also a good idea; you never know when you will need it during the trip.
Choose foods which are generally safe to eat. While you may be tempted to try out exotic cuisine as part of your exposure trip, keep in mind that viands which are not boiled, those which are rare done, and those which are uncooked, are potential breeding grounds for bacteria, and may wreak havoc on your digestive tract. You don’t want to spend the rest of your trip in a hospital. If you have a delicate stomach, try to stay away from tap water as well; if this is unavoidable, boil it first or treat it with an iodine tablet.
Finally, have your health history properly documented, and secure a copy to take along. You should be able to supply the following information in a single document, for easier referral: your personal identification, with contact details; your blood type and vaccine records; your personal physician’s contact details, particulars concerning your health insurance, and a detailed list of your current health problems and medications; if you are wearing prescription glasses, make sure you have it written down as well.