It’s not uncommon for travelers to become ill. Sadly, because of prolonged exposure to different atmospheres and enclosed spaces, there are several travel illnesses that have become much more prevalent than others. Familiarize yourself with the most common so that if you do begin to feel ill on a trip you can take immediate action.

7. Norovirus

With symptoms similar to the flu, the norovirus tends to strike whenever large groups of people gather together in enclosed spaces. The norovirus is especially prevalent on cruises and has, in some cases, spread so rapidly that entire cruises were forced to head back to dock to seek medical treatment and to wait for the ship to be disinfected.

Symptoms of the norovirus include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to prevent the spread of the virus and there are no treatments.

6. Chikungunya

Once thought to be limited to tropical Indian Ocean destinations, the disease known as Chikungunya has been spreading around the world. The disease is spread by mosquito bites and there are no vaccinations you can take before your trip to prevent contraction of the illness.

Chikungunya rarely kills but does cause a wide variety of aggravating symptoms. These include muscle pain, joint pain, rashes, and fevers. To avoid the disease you should act as though you are attempting to prevent malaria, using insect repellent frequently and sleeping under a mosquito net.

5. Malaria

Malaria is a potentially fatal disease spread by the bite of the mosquito. Because the disease is so prevalent in developing countries like the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, travelers should take special precautions before embarking on their journeys.

First, talk to your doctor before you leave on your trip. He will give you a prescription for an anti-malaria medication you should take during your journey. You should also use mosquito repellent containing DEET, wear long clothing to avoid getting bit, and sleep in rooms with screens and bed nets. Do not travel to malaria-prone countries if you have children in your travel group.

4. Sun Poisoning

One of the most avoidable travel illnesses is also one of the most common. For some reason, common sense leaves the minds of many when they are faced with an alluring tropical beach setting. Even those who are conscious enough to use sunblock don’t understand the differences between the power of the sun in tropical locations versus their home towns and they tend not to use enough or forget to reapply.

Symptoms of sun poisoning include red skin, blisters, itchiness, and overwhelming nausea. You can prevent sun poisoning by remembering to frequently reapply suntan lotion, wearing a large sunhat, and by wearing long sleeves and pants. If you do get sun poisoning, make sure you use cold compresses to alleviate the itching and welling, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

3. Dengue Fever

Visitors to the South Pacific, Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, or Asia should bone up on the symptoms of the Dengue Fever before embarking on their journeys. Also spread by mosquito bites, the fever causes flu-like symptoms and can cause a considerable amount of pain and discomfort.

The virus is nicknamed “breakbone fever” for good reason. The muscle and joint pain you will experience if you contract the illness is almost unbearable. Make sure you protect yourself as much as possible from mosquitoes and their bites when traveling to these countries – carry insect repellent at all times, avoid traveling at dawn or dusk, and sleep under a net.

2. Traveler’s Diarrhea

Traveler’s diarrhea is the number one most common travel illness anywhere in the world. No one knows exactly what causes it but studies have shown that almost every traveler gets diarrhea at least once during his journey.

Sometimes caused by the E. coli bacteria, you can reduce your chances of developing diarrhea by avoiding fresh fruits and veggies in foreign areas and by drinking purified or bottled water (no tap water – ever). If you feel you are becoming dehydrated you can add a pinch of salt and a couple of teaspoons of sugar to a glass of water to aid in replacing some of the electrolytes you have lost.

1. H1N1 (aka Swine Flu)

The H1N1 virus is one of the most rapidly spreading global viruses in existence today. Believed to have originated in Mexico, this highly contagious flu strain has spread to almost every country around the world and it is expected to continue spreading throughout the cold and flu season.

While there are currently no WHO-issued warnings against traveling to any country, you should be cautious when traveling to areas with widespread illness or if you have any cold or flu symptoms. Many foreign countries have strict policies in place and if you arrive looking or feeling ill you may be quarantined in a strange place until you are better.

All of these traveling diseases can have potentially serious side effects. Make sure you seek medical attention if your symptoms become severe or do not improve. The sooner you feel better, the sooner you’ll be able to get back to enjoying your trip.

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