Tips for Preventing & Managing Illness When Traveling Abroad with Kids

This is a sponsored post in partnership with DiaResQ®.

Nothing ruins a family vacation quicker than getting sick. That is why I am sharing some tips you can take before and during your next trip to prevent and be prepared for sickness.

One of the most common illnesses while traveling abroad is traveler’s diarrhea and that is why I have partnered with DiaResQ, a new kind of diarrhea relief that acts fast and is safe for everyone in the family. 

I often get health-related questions about traveling, specifically about Guatemala since we go every year, so I am sharing with you some tips that will help you both prevent and be prepared for sickness abroad.

Do your research

Your destination is the most important risk factor when it comes to many illnesses. It’s important to find out as much as you can about your destination and the potential risks that may be involved with traveling to that country. Make sure you’re using reliable sources when it comes to the information about potential risks in different countries.

Knowing more about your destination will help you plan ahead and be prepared. It will also help you figure out if you need to take some specific precautions. Are you traveling to a tropical destination where mosquito-related illnesses are common? Are any vaccines required or recommended when traveling to this country? What is the weather like? Is it flu season where you’re headed to? What is the altitude?

Boost your immune system

It’s a good idea to make sure your body and your immune system are strong before traveling to a new country. It’s a good idea to give your immune system a boost by taking Vitamin D and Vitamin C. It’s often difficult to get enough Vitamin D from the sun and the food, especially if you’re traveling in winter or headed to colder weather so it’s a good idea to take some with you as well.

Make sure you exercise regularly, maintain a healthy lifestyle and get enough sleep before traveling and during your travels to reduce your chances of getting sick while traveling.

Be prepared

I always take precautions and bring along a small first aid kit that includes products I trust. My travel first aid kit includes pain killers, band-aids, topical antibiotic, insect repellant, insect bite treatment, tweezers, small scissors, thermometer, antihistamine, sunscreen, sunburn treatment, eye drops, diarrhea relief and medicine for any pre-existing conditions.

The most common travel-related illness is traveler’s diarrhea which affects about half of international travelers. When it comes to traveler’s diarrhea, developing countries represent the highest risk. It’s important to travel with diarrhea relief you can trust so that you know you will have a dependable solution that acts fast.  That way you can continue enjoying your vacation as soon as possible. DiaResQ is a great option because it works with your body to address the source of the problem instead of just treating the symptoms.

DiaResQ is a different kind of diarrhea relief. Diarrhea is your body trying to rid itself of an unwanted or unfamiliar microorganism by flushing your system. Most diarrhea products work by slowing down the movement of your gut and interrupting this natural process. While this may temporarily control the symptoms, it keeps the problem-causing microorganism [unwanted bug] in your body longer. DiaResQ is different. DiaResQ works with your body to address the underlying issue quickly without any unwanted side effects by rapidly restoring normal function and working with your body so it doesn’t back you up.

DiaResQ is safe for adults and children as young as 1 year old and I really like that it’s made of safe, naturally derived ingredients and is drug & antibiotic free.   This way, I don’t have to give my kids unnecessary drugs yet I’m still making sure that I support their body’s natural process to deal with diarrhea while helping them restore the normal function of their digestive tract. You can find DiaResQ at Walmart, CVS, Amazon and other retailers nationwide.

Take precautions while you’re aboard

Foodborne illnesses can be easy to prevent if you take the right steps.

• Wash your hands. From planes and buses to crowded outdoor markets and public restrooms, your hands come into contact with lots of surfaces that may be contaminated when you’re traveling abroad. We make sure that everyone washes their hands not just before eating and after using the bathroom but also a few times during the day, especially after visiting places that get a lot of traffic like train stations or airports.

• Drink bottled water and bottled drinks. In areas that present a high risk for foodborne illness, avoid drinking tap water. It’s also a good idea to avoid ice in your drinks, as this is usually made with tap water. When drinking coffee or tea make sure the water has been boiled. As an extra precaution use bottled water to brush your teeth. In my experience, this is usually not necessary if you’re staying at a high-end hotel but it’s also important to take into consideration how sensitive you and your kids are. My family, in general, have pretty strong stomachs except for my youngest, so I am more careful with him as he tends to get sick easier.

• Be cautious with certain foods. In countries that pose a high risk (developing countries in general), stay away from street vendors, food markets where food may have been outside for long periods of time and don’t order salads as vegetables may have been washed with tap water. Do not eat raw or undercooked foods. When eating fruits focus on fruits like bananas and oranges that you can peel yourself. We’re pretty adventurous when it comes to food in new countries, it’s just a matter of using common sense and eating at restaurants that look clean and not taking unnecessary risks. The most important tip I can share is to be observant of your surroundings and look closely at restaurants, markets and food vendors and be cautious without going overboard. No need to worry yourself silly. If a place doesn’t look clean, don’t eat there.

• Protect yourself from mosquitoes. If you are traveling to a tropical destination, mosquitos can be a real concern. Mosquitos carry many diseases and mosquito bites can be painful and annoying. I always travel with mosquito repellent, but you can also prevent mosquito bites by not being outdoors at dusk or dawn in areas that have a lot of mosquitos and making sure that your hotel has air conditioning or mosquito nets.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of DiaResQ.

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Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

Paula moved from her native Guatemala to SW Florida with her husband and two children and together they are discovering what it means to live life between two languages.

Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .

When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.

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