How to Stay Healthy and Avoid Getting Sick Before a Vacation

Key Takeaways

• Tips to reduce exposure to germs at home, work, and public spaces.
• Basic precautions that may help support staying healthy before travel.
• How travel protection may help if unexpected illness affects trip plans.

Everyone hates germs, but they lurk everywhere. Seriously -- EVERYWHERE. So, it’s good to know some of the germ hotspots you should be aware of before going on a trip.

Germs are microscopic particles that are a main source for spreading disease. One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is to follow tips to guard against germs and their harmful effects.

You should be extra cautious to avoid germs as much as you can in the time leading up to a trip. No one wants to be sick on vacation – or even worse – need to cancel your trip because you’re too sick to travel. That’s one reason it’s always a good idea to get a travel protection plan that includes Trip Cancellation coverage, and Medical and Dental coverage in case you get sick before or during your trip.

But, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Take a look at some of these hotspots for germ activity and how to avoid getting sick.

Also read: How travel insurance covers flu and other illness

How to Avoid Germs at Home

The Bathroom

With each flush we force germs further away from us, right? Not so. With each flush, bacteria, such as E.coli, can be spread as far as 4.9 feet, meaning your sink is likely covered in bacteria. Your own hands could be holding up to 200 million bacteria in a public bathroom, so with a private it may be less but not by much. So, be sure to wash them with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.

Kitchen Sponges

Your kitchen sponge is a bacteria breeding ground because it remains hot and moist. Use a good antibacterial or bleach based product on kitchen surfaces, which helps kill bacteria your sponge picks up. And, microwave your sponges for a minute or two to regularly sanitize them.

Also read: How Travel Insurance Works if a Family Member is Hospitalized

How to Avoid Getting Sick at Work and Elsewhere

Telephones and Keyboards

Your phone and desk have more bacteria than your toilet seat! Office desks are more than 400 times dirtier than a toilet seat. That’s why they need to be cleaned regularly with disinfectant.

Also read: Is Travel Insurance Worth It? 3 Examples Where it Pays Off

Shopping Carts

The innocent-seeming shopping cart handle is one of the dirtiest surfaces around. With 138,000 bacteria per square inch, be sure to carry antibacterial wipes with you on every trip to the store.

Travel Protection: In Case You Do Get Sick

We’ve all been there. You have a vacation coming up in a few days and your child comes home from school with a bad case of the flu that’s spreading through your family, or Grandma is hospitalized and you need to care for her. You get a pit in your stomach and begin to wonder if you’ll be able to make the trip you’ve planned for so long and already paid for.

Life is unpredictable—but Generali Global Assistance is here to help. Our travel protection plans are a great starting place for helping protect your trip and they include Trip Cancellation coverage that may help provide reimbursement for a canceled trip.

Sickness is only one event out of many that may be covered with a Generali Global Assistance travel protection plan. See our list of covered reasons for trip cancellation or get an instant quote now.

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Disclaimers Section

• Coverage availability varies by plan and state.
• All claims must meet the conditions of the plan.
• All statistics cited should be framed as general informational tips, not medical guidance.*