Travel Expert and Editor-In-Chief of TravelGirl Magazine Stephanie Oswald Provides Helpful and Healthy Tips and Tools for a stress free, relaxing, travel during the flu season!!
TALENT: Stephanie Oswald, International Travel Expert and Editor-In-Chief of TravelGirl Magazine
It’s everywhere. On every news channel. Lurking in subways and airports. Creeping into the office. Keeping your kids from going to school. And to your utter horror, it’s now followed you on your vacation. You just can’t escape it: The. Flu.
Well worry no more. International Travel Expert and Editor-In-Chief of TravelGirl Magazine Stephanie Oswald comes to the rescue. Stephanie will advises how you can stay healthy — healthy enough to take that vacation you’ve been looking forward to, the trip that’s supposed to be your prescription for the winter doldrums (another affliction going around this season).
Stephanie is available to discuss:
What’s different about this year’s flu season? Why should travelers take note?
Certainly, this year’s flu can hit a bit harder, especially for those with a chronic illness. But overall, I don’t see this year’s flu as being any more alarming than years past. Every flu season will be different; flu bugs grow and evolve just like we do. The upside is that this year’s flu vaccine is fairly effective, not 100%, but effective.
- How do you know you have the flu and not just a cold?
With the flu you have a higher fever and widespread, body-wide aches, whereas with a cold it’s more centered around the respiratory area — throat and nose. With the flu, you are aching all over — that is the distinction.
- How do you know when you are too sick to travel?
By the time you are asking that question, you already are. Do yourself — and the people around you — a favor, and stay home.
- Should I get a flu vaccine? Will it protect me from this year’s flu? And should I get the vaccine right before I travel?
You do want to get the flu vaccine, but a week or two ideally before you travel. The longer you take it before a trip, the longer the time your body has to build the immunity.
- Will the vaccine given in the US protect me in other parts of the world?
Yes, it’s the same flu that travels around the world.
If I’m abroad and I think I have the flu, what should I do?
You should do the same thing you would do at home — go to bed. Drink warm fluids to flush and wash out the virus. I recommend to something that Clinical studies show shortens the duration and reduces the severity of flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue when taken at the first sign of illness
What should travelers carry with them during flu season?
Feeling achy or run down and have the chills? Take Oscillococcinum®. Clinical studies show Oscillo® shortens the duration and reduces the severity of flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue when taken at the first sign of illness. Oscillo can benefit your entire family, since it’s recommended for everyone ages 2 to 102, with no drowsiness or drug interactions. Oscillo’s sweet-tasting, easy-to-take pellets dissolve quickly under the tongue—no water, chewing or swallowing required. Each pre-measured pellet dose is individually packaged for convenience.
How can travelers avoid getting sick when flying — is there anything you can do to protect yourself if you’re on a plane with a bunch of coughing/sneezing passengers?
Stay hydrated is the No. 1 thing to do. No. 2, turn off the overhead air jets. I tend to turn off air jets above my seat (and if I can, I turn all of them off in my row). It can’t be a good idea to have all those germs blowing around.
What are the No. 1 places where a traveler can pick up the flu?
Places where people are putting their hands, like doorknobs and handrails. The main way the flu is spread is with people sneezing into their hands and then touching a doorknob. The flu is spread hand-to-mouth, mouth-to-hand. Wash hands after being in public places. And avoid touching your mouth while traveling.
Things like subway cars and planes are incubators for germs — is it an overreaction to wear a mask while in these locations?
There’s more of a reason to wear a mask if you have something contagious versus if you’re simply trying to prevent yourself from catching something. Don’t have a mask? Cough into your elbow. You won’t touch too many doorknobs with your elbows.
What foods and/or changes to your diet do you recommend to boost your immune system around and during your time of travel?
Simply avoiding excess sugar is the main thing — avoiding sodas and juices. One can of cola suppresses your immune system by 30% for 3 hours. A to-die-for dessert is worth the sugar, not a can of soda.
We know it’s important to wash our hands — what else?
Prevention — get your sleep. Quickest way to suppress your immune system is to sleep-deprive a person. Get good sleep.
What do you do if you get the flu while you’re traveling?
If you find yourself with a rip-roaring bug, I find, personally, that’s when my body’s saying it is time for a rest. It’s your body’s way of saying you need a time-out. So honor that. Do your thing and then go to bed … do what must be done, then go to bed and rest.
Travel insurance: Before you leave, check to see if your health insurance covers you during your travels (especially international). If not, buy travel insurance. It’s not expensive and provides great piece of mind.
Change your plane ticket: Unless you buy a refundable ticke.The best way to change your ticket without a fee is to go to the airport and speak to an agent or their supervisor. I know it’s a pain but it often works. Just tell the agent you aren’t feeling well and would like to see if you can fly another time. More often than not they will help you do it.
MORE ABOUT STEPHANIE OSWALD:
As the Editor-in-Chief of travelgirl magazine, a Web Correspondent for The Weather Channel, and seasoned travel correspondent for CNN, she has reported on everything from stress-relieving spa treatments and unique escapes around the world to the human side of a hurricane. She is the co-founder of travelgirl — the first national travel magazine to launch after the events of 9/11. The travel and lifestyle publication was chosen by industry leader Mr. Magazine as one of the “most notable” launches of 2003. Oswald is a native New Yorker who spent 13 years globetrotting as CNN’s travel correspondent and host of the weekend program, CNN Travel Now. In 2003, she also launched a groundbreaking series called The Weather Channel Road Crew that showcased the “fun” side of weather. In 2004, she filed written and audio reports during Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne as the very first Web Correspondent for Weather.com. As anchor and correspondent for CNN Travel Now, a weekly program on worldwide destinations, travel trends and cuisine, Oswald specialized in adventure travel, filing reports from Europe, South America, Asia and the Caribbean. One series took her into the depths of Papua New Guinea for a rare and eye-opening look at the Huli Wigmen. Her reports also appeared on CNN Headline News, CNN in-flight programming for Delta Air Lines, CNN International and the CNN Airport Network. Immediately after 9/11, she filed human interest stories on the crisis for CNN, and covered the impact on the travel industry during live studio reports on CNN Headline News.
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