How to protect health in a foreign trip, reminded Volgograd

Specialists of Rospotrebnadzor in the Volgograd region emphasize: prevention begins even before departure and continues throughout the trip.

The main threats to the tourist

Most often, tourists are faced with intestinal and respiratory infections. Their transmission mechanisms have long been studied and are well known to specialists. Intestinal infections enter the body mainly through water and food, and respiratory infections are spread by airborne droplets. That’s why controlling what you eat and drink, as well as protecting your airways, are key health tools. According to Rospotrebnadzor, these areas of prevention can significantly reduce the risk of infection even in regions with a dysfunctional epidemiological situation.

Food and Water: What to Control

Start with the simplest: water and food quality control. Refuse to eat foods and drinks that have not undergone full heat treatment. Street food from kiosks carries an increased risk, so it is better to choose proven establishments - for example, eat in a restaurant or in a hotel dining room.

Ready dishes should not be stored for a long time: at high temperatures, they quickly become a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms. Pay special attention to ice: if its origin is in doubt, give up ice drinks altogether.

Fruits, vegetables and greens should be thoroughly washed before consumption, but only with safe water. If you are not sure about the quality of tap water, it is better not to eat raw foods that require rinsing at all. The best option for drinking is bottled or boiled water.

Protection against respiratory infections

It is equally important to protect against respiratory infections. In public places, transport and at mass events, measures such as wearing a mask and observing social distance are especially effective. The mask should fit tightly to the face - cover the nose, mouth and chin. Try not to touch it while wearing, and change it regularly, according to the recommendations. These simple actions significantly reduce the likelihood of airborne transmission of viruses and bacteria.

Clean hands

Hand hygiene is one of the most reliable barriers to infections. According to the World Health Organization, clean hands are the most effective preventive measure.

If you cannot wash your hands with soap and water, use an antiseptic. It is important that the alcohol content in it is at least 60%. Such funds are available in different forms: in the form of gels, solutions, sprays or impregnated wipes, so it is easy to choose a convenient option.

Safety when swimming

Special attention should be paid to the issue of safety during swimming. Standing ponds are better to completely exclude from the route for swimming: they create favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogens. Swimming is allowed only in specially designated and tested places where there is no contact with wild and domestic animals, as well as waterfowl. The main rule is not to swallow water during swimming. This applies not only to open water bodies, but also swimming pools, water parks.

Before and after visiting the pool, be sure to take a shower: even high-quality disinfection does not guarantee the complete destruction of all potentially dangerous microorganisms. If you are traveling with children, be sure to explain to them that you can not swallow water anywhere - neither in the sea, nor in the lake, nor in the pool.

Do I need a vaccination

Another important stage of preparation for the trip is the issue of vaccination.

Immunization is not always required, but only when the epidemiological situation in the destination region requires it. Most often we are talking about vaccinations against viral tick-borne encephalitis, hepatitis A, meningococcal infection and yellow fever.

To understand whether you need a particular vaccine, consult an infectious disease doctor in advance. The specialist will assess the risks based on the country and specific region of the trip, the season and your individual health characteristics.

After returning home

Finally, do not forget to take precautions after returning home. If on arrival you feel worse – especially with fever – be sure to inform your doctor about your recent trip outside the Russian Federation. This information is critical for the doctor to make the correct diagnosis and choice of treatment tactics, because some infections have a long incubation period and appear several days or even weeks after returning.

Compliance with these simple recommendations can significantly reduce risks and make travel not only interesting, but also safe. Prevention is not a restriction of freedom, but reasonable care for yourself and your loved ones.