As winter approaches and schedules become booked with busy holiday travel, the last thing on traveler’s wish list is catching a cold or flu. Portlanders and those in the Pacific Northwest are anticipated to endure a long winter, predicted by meteorologists as the worst winter in terms of precipitation and cold.

With that in mind, Dr. Crouse, Internal Medicine physician at The Portland Clinic who oversees its Travel Clinic, suggests there are a few basic steps people can take this winter to ensure they are healthy and remain healthy even after reaching their holiday destinations. “It’s all about taking precautions and taking care of yourself in times of stressful holiday travel,” explains Dr. Crouse.

Top Five Tips for Healthy Holiday Travel

1. Keep Your Cool While Traveling—“My number one suggestion in traveling during the winter is to remain patient,” states Dr. Crouse. “Winter travel is often unpredictable at times with extreme weather changes that can affect travel plans and destinations.” Dr. Crouse suggests, when traveling by air, to carry all necessary medications, extra clothing, water, food and something to occupy yourself, like a book. These items can make an unexpected delay bearable and make for a less stressful journey.
2. Don’t Follow the Bandwagon—It is often difficult to avoid others while traveling in a plane, train, or even waiting at your airport gate. Dr. Crouse suggests that during travel it is important to avoid touching your nose and mouth and carry alcohol-based sanitizer. “Fresh outside air is constantly being circulated through an airplane cabin, so there is less of a concern about air quality,” explains Dr. Crouse, “Contaminated surfaces, such as passenger seating areas, tray tables and lavatories are the most common players in infecting travelers.” Dr. Crouse suggests cleaning your immediate seat-area and tray table with sanitizing wipes, washing hands after using lavatories and bringing your own small pillow or blanket.
3. Beat the Cold—Upper respiratory infections, including viruses, colds and influenza are common during winter months. “The number one, top way to prevent these infections is frequent hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol-based gel,” explains Dr. Crouse, “If you have an upper respiratory infection, cover your mouth while coughing and sneezing and consider wearing a surgical type mask to help prevent the spread.”
4. Avoid the Flu—“Specifically for the flu, the best preventative strategies are to receive a flu vaccination in addition to frequent hand-washing,” states Dr. Crouse. Flu vaccinations are combo vaccinations meant to help prevent people from catching the flu and the H1N1 influenza strain.
5. Stay Hydrated and Healthy—“Staying hydrated during travel is important no matter what time of year,” explains Dr. Crouse. His suggestion? Fill a water bottle at your gate or purchase one before boarding your plane. “It’s also good practice to carry your own healthy snack, such as apples and carrot sticks, as more airlines no longer provide substantial snacks or even offer them at all during flights.”

For more information about The Portland Clinic, Travel Clinic, click here.