Washington County Weekend Post

GMTODAY.COM SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • 3A Travel and tourism is big business. According to research from the World Travel & Tourism Council in conjunction with Oxford Economics, the travel and tourism industry outpaced the global economy for the sixth consecutive year in 2016. With so many people traveling for business or pleasure, it can be easy for illness to spread. Travelers concerned about their vul- nerability to colds or other ailments may be unable to avoid cramped airline cab- ins or crowded restaurants, but there are ways for both business travelers and vaca- tioners to reduce their risk of getting sick while on the road. • Stay hydrated. People may remember to drink water when sitting at their desks in the office or loung- ing around at home, but travelers who are busy see- ing the sights or attending seminars may forget to stay hydrated throughout the day. That can increase one's susceptibility to illness, as fluids carry nutrients to the cells and flush bacteria from the bladder. Older travelers should be especially vigilant about staying hydrated while traveling, as the Har- vard Medical School notes that older men and women do not sense thirst as much as they did when they were younger. • Continue exercising. Even vacationers whose pri- mary goal when traveling is to relax and unwind may want to squeeze in a little physical activity during their travels. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that physi- cal activity can flush bacte- ria out of the lungs and air- ways, potentially reducing one's chances of getting a cold, the flu or another ill- ness. In addition, exercise causes changes in antibod- ies and white blood cells that could help the immune systems of physically active people detect illnesses earli- er than the immune systems of sedentary men and women. • Purchase hand sani- tizer. One of the easiest ways to get sick while trav- eling is to come into contact with germs. Travelers tend to be out and about instead of locked inside hotel rooms, so their exposure to germs is likely greater while traveling than it is at home. Airport security agents may discard hand sanitizer at security check- points, so it may be unwise for travelers to bring sani- tizer with them on their trips. Instead, travelers can purchase some at their des- tinations, carrying it with them and routinely apply- ing it to combat germs. • Get sufficient sleep. Traveling alters routines, and some travelers may find themselves getting inade- quate sleep on the road. Studies have indicated that sleep helps sustain a fully functioning immune sys- tem, and that chronic sleep loss, which may be a greater concern for business travel- ers than vacationers, can impair the immune system. When traveling, men and women should make a con- certed effort to get adequate sleep each night. Traveling can be a jolt to the body and make it more vulnerable to illness. But no matter how often a person travels, he or she can take steps to protect their bodies getting sick while on the Easy ways to reduce your risk of getting sick while traveling

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