Over the past two decades, Passport Health has helped our clients travel successfully to nearly every country in the world. Whether the destination was Switzerland or Kiev, Shanghai or Mumbai, Sao Paulo or Mexico City, Passport Health has been there to provide travel vaccinations, medications, and crucial health tips. On the ninth day of our holiday travel tips countdown, here are nine tips for safe and healthy travel to the locations Passport Health clients have visited most frequently over the years.

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For outdoors enthusiasts, the holiday season marks the beginning of winter sports season with ample opportunities to hit the slopes and have some powdery fun. Much like the ten lords-a-leaping, this post in Passport Health’s holiday travel tips series will help to keep you safe as you go leaping and bounding around your favorite ski resorts. Whether your winter sports travels will keep you close to home, up to the Rocky Mountains, or even to an exotic location like Korea, follow these tips to be prepared for your dream trip.

Prepare Yourself

Preparation is always the first and most important consideration! You need to be sure that you are physically capable of a skiing, snowboarding, or generally active trip before you go. Be sure you are fit for the activities you plan to undertake. In the event of an unexpected injury, you need to be prepared for what you might have to do to seek out help, which could be as simple as hiking down the mountain or as difficult as surviving until help reaches you.

Prepare Your Gear

Just as important as being ready physically is having the right equipment for your situation. It is challenging to stay warm in extreme winter temperatures! Be sure to layer. A light base-layer followed by a light pull-over and a heavy jacket is a good starting place, but, once again, proper attire will vary from person-to-person and situation-to-situation. Warm boots are a must, and make sure they have good traction as well to prevent slips and falls on icy sidewalks as you trek around town after your time on the slopes.

As a general rule, you can always take off or not use clothing, but finding or buying more can be stressful, expensive, and sometimes impossible. Bring a little more than you think you might need. It is better to take off a layer than to wish you would have had it!

Dress Warmly and Stay Dry

It is advisable to bring extra clothes out to the mountain each day. Many places have a location where you can stash some gear, be it a locker or your car in a parking lot. Always keep a few extra articles in case you end up getting too cold and need another layer or you get wet. Nothing will ruin your trip faster, and be more dangerous, than combining cold and wet while on your trip.

Avoid Frostbite and Hypothermia

These are the two greatest dangers associated with outdoor activity during the winter months. The best way to avoid both of these issues is to stay warm and dry, but, if you do get overexposed, there are a few things to do:

• For both frostbite and hypothermia, get into a warmer environment as quickly as possible; this can save your life
• For frostbitten limbs, never rub or massage, but do use your armpits, a warm companion, warm drinks, and warm clothes to thaw your frozen body parts.
• For more information on both issues see the this NOAA page.

Stay Clear of Ice

When walking or driving, watch for ice! If you are going over an icy area when walking, do so very carefully. Wear shoes or boots that provide traction and point your feet slightly outward (like a penguin). This will help you stay more stable. When getting in and out of a vehicle or building, use something as support to help you make the transition from a solid to potentially slippery surface.

Drive Carefully

While ice can be a nuisance while walking, it can be deadly while driving. Never use cruise control if there is a potential for ice on the roads, and be sure your vehicle is using the correct tires for your specific conditions. If you are involved in an accident, stay with your vehicle. This will provide you with additional protection and warmth that won’t be available in the wild. Tie a brightly colored cloth to your antenna to signal distress, and consider leaving on a dome light in the vehicle if it is nighttime. Dome lights use little power and can be a good signal to other motorists and potential rescuers.

Warm Up!

Before hitting the slopes or trails, be sure to warm up. Stretching is one of the best methods making sure you adequately prepare your legs and core, the two muscle groups you are most likely to use. When doing these warm ups, however, try not to sweat. Sweat can leave a wet mist on your body and make you excessively cold once you get outside, leading to other problems.

Stay Hydrated!

Amazingly enough, cold weather is one of the times where you are at highest risk for dehydration. Often when people are in cold climates, they do not realize that they are sweating and losing water, but dehydration is indeed still happening. Be sure to drink lots of water on a regular basis as you go about your winter activities. Being excessively thirsty is one of the first signs of dehydration. If you start to feel excessive thirst, electrolyte products like Ceralyte can be a great help!

Know Your Limit

‘One more run’ is when you think that one more trip down the mountain won’t hurt you; however, it can. If your legs are feeling heavy, it’s better to head back to your lodge or vehicle than to continue pushing through your activity. Doing just one more when you are exhausted and less able to control your body can lead to injury. Be safe and skip that last run; your body will thank you when you are able to do more the next day!

Avalanche Warning

On average, 22 skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers die each year in backcountry avalanches in the United States. While this isn’t a high statistic compared to the enormous number of people that go into the forests each winter, it still represents more deaths than there should be. Surprisingly, many of these victims are experienced outdoors people. Always be careful! Stay on designated trails if you are at a resort. If you are making your own way in the backcountry, time your activities. Morning is better than the afternoon and cold days are better than warm ones. Use good judgement. If there is a doubt about your slope, come back another day; one run isn’t worth a tragic accident.

What winter trips do you like to take and how do you prepare for them? Comment below or on our Facebook page and let us know!

For many pet owners, pets are members of the family, and a holiday trip would not be complete without their faithful, furry friend. Surely your pet would follow you to the ends of the earth, but, when it comes to travel, taking a pet along can pose unique challenges. This next installment of Passport Health’s holiday travel tips countdown corresponds to the Eleven Pipers Piping (said to represent the eleven faithful apostles in the classic holiday song), and here is how you can ensure that you and your pet, who would faithfully follow you anywhere, can have a happy and healthy vacation, no matter where you take him or her.

Check ahead

Be sure to review the laws for transporting animals into your destination. The last thing you would want is for your pet to end up in quarantine. The United States Department of Agriculture is a good resource for these regulations.

Visit a veterinarian

Visit a veterinarian to be sure your pet is healthy enough for travel, especially air travel. Any kind of travel like this can be stressful for a pet and even potentially dangerous. Make sure your pet is ready for the adventure to avoid any mid-travel or post-trip complications.

Vaccinate your pet for travel

As any savvy traveler knows, some countries require proof of vaccination for entrance, and the need for travel vaccines can extend to your pet as well. Check the USDA web page to see which shots might be required, and then talk to your pet’s veterinarian. Missing a shot could land your pet in quarantine or worse. Additionally, make sure you have an ample supply of all prescription medications your pet may need before traveling as not everything may be available outside of the United States.

Follow the pet-related travel rules closely

When it comes to pet transport, FAA and airline rules are rules and not guidelines. If you do not follow these restrictions to the letter, your pet will not fly. The same applies to car travel; follow the rules closely, and do not leave your pet unattended in a vehicle as this is against the law in some places both within and outside of the United States. See the FAA’s web page for more information.

Take your pet on a trial run

Before starting your trip, do a trial run of sorts. Taking your pet on a short trip away from your home in similar conditions to how it will be during your planned trip will help to acclimate your pet to traveling. If your pet can handle the short, trial trip, then you are likely going to be okay for the longer journey. If not, you may need to consider alternate plans.

Make sure your pet has food

When it comes to pet food, there are a couple of different options depending on where you are going and what your pet’s dietary restrictions might be. Taking all of your pet’s food with you is one option, but this can be a costly one, considering how much an extra bag or extra weight can cost. Alternatively, you can just mail the pet food to your destination. Another suggestion is to take note of the ingredients in your pet’s food, and then try to find something similar when you arrive in your destination. If you chose this route, research is required, but it can also save you a lot of effort and money in the long run.

Take a pet-friendly airline

While Pet Airlines (an airline dedicated to pet transport) no longer exists, there are still some airlines that promise “Fur-st” Class Care. Alaska Airlines is one of these companies, promising to care for your pet from the moment you arrive at the airport until you are reunited with your four-legged friend upon arrival.

Travel together

That being said, it is generally suggested you travel with your pet (i.e. on the same flight). While your luggage can generally wait overnight at the airport, the same is not true for a pet. If you travel with your pet this won’t be something you need to worry about as much. Along those lines, be sure to book a direct, non-stop flight instead of doing a multi-leg trip. This will be less traumatic for the animal and save you from a lot of problems if you need to change planes.

Travel with your pet in the back seat

The American Humane Society suggests not allowing pets in the front seat of a car. Though it can be fun to spend time with your pet while you are driving, these types of seats were designed for humans, not animals. Secure your pet while driving just as you would for air travel. Your pet’s safety is of the utmost importance.

Consider a pet vacation

Sometimes, taking your pet with you just isn’t a viable option for any number of reasons, but this does not mean your pet cannot enjoy his or her own vacation! In many cities, there are pet vacation centers that offer an almost spa-like treatment for your pet while you are away. Although these pet hotels tend to be costly, they are usually still less than airfare for your pet and provide a pet-friendly atmosphere. Your pet may not be with you during the holidays, but at least you know he or she is being properly cared for.

Keep your pet calm during travel

Finally, if your pet does travel with you, toys and scents can be the best things to help the pet stay calm. Air travel and long car trips can be difficult for animals, and anything that might remind your pet of home will be a serious help. Think about your pet as a person – would you leave a child alone on a airplane with nothing to do? Of course not! Give the pet a few toys and maybe a treat, for the trip as this will go a long way toward keeping your pet calm and happy.

What have you found to be the best method for helping your pet travel? Comment below or leave your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Every 20 seconds a child dies of a vaccine-preventable disease, but one organization hopes to stop the clock.

Started in 2012, Shot@Life hopes to bring vaccines to the parts of the world where they are needed most — from the plains of Ethiopia, to the jungles of Peru, and even to the mountains of central Asia. In order to accomplish this goal, the group hopes to educate, connect, and empower people to champion vaccines as one of the most effective ways to save the lives of children throughout the developing world.

One such advocacy initiative carried out by the organization brought 110 mothers to Washington, D.C., earlier this year as part of a campaign asking the United States Congress for funding to help vaccinate children around the world.

Unlike some other groups that attempt to raise awareness, Shot@Life is taking action as well. The funds the group receives go mainly toward purchasing vaccines that can help not only change of child’s life, but save it too.

Shot@Life points out that a donation of as little as $20 could give a child a lifetime immunity to protect him or her from pneumonia, polio, and measles, all of which are potentially deadly for children, especially in the developing world.

“Vaccines give children a shot at making it to their first birthday, to kindergarten, to graduation, and living through adulthood,” said Devi Thomas, campaign director for Shot@Life, in a recent interview. “It’s an early intervention that really allows a child to have a shot at a healthy life.”

The most difficult factor, however, can be funding. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 70 percent of all unvaccinated children live in 10 developing countries across the globe, and supplying them the necessary vaccines can be costly and difficult. Individuals as well as groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, have donated money to try to help in this effort, and, although many of these diseases are at their lowest rates in decades, there is still much work to be done.

Shot@Life believes that by expanding access to these life-saving vaccinations, as many as 1.5 million deaths can be prevented each year.

For many, that access is exactly what can make the difference. In some corners of the world, mothers may have to walk up to 50 miles to ensure their children can receive a vaccine, if it is available at all, but Shot@Life and its partners in the United Nations Foundation hope to see that change in the coming years.

To learn more about Shot@Life and how to participate in its efforts to increase vaccination rates throughout the world visit, the group’s website, and, if you would like to learn more about some of the life-saving vaccines that the organization provides, see Passport Health’s page on immunizations and how they can help everyone prevent potentially deadly diseases.

Welcome to Passport Health’s holiday blog series, “The Twelve Health Tips of the Holiday Season.” Using the structure of the classic holiday song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” we will be looking at twelve issues that holiday travelers are likely to face and providing sage advice on how to best overcome them.

The classic holiday tune begins with ‘Twelve drummers drumming.’ There is little worse than being on vacation and feeling that drumming and throbbing in your head that portends the onset of an illness. Here are Passport Health’s twelve tips to overcoming (and avoiding) sickness while traveling.

Prepare before you go

The first key to healthful travel anywhere is to make sure you have all the required and recommended travel vaccinations, medications, and speciality travel health supplies before you depart. Tropical travel may well mean you need malaria pills or a Yellow Fever vaccine. No matter the destination, it is always wise to pack a travel sized first-aid kit so you are prepared in the event of an emergency.

Immunize

Getting vaccinated before your trip is the very best way to avoid serious illness, and a Passport Health travel specialist can help you figure out the exact immunizations you need for travel depending on the locale you will be visiting. Even if you are just traveling domestically, be sure to get your annual flu shot, especially because the busy holiday travel season will put you in touch with more people (and potential carriers of the flu virus) than normal.

Get traveler’s insurance

Traveler’s insurance can make a world of difference in the event something serious happens overseas. Hospitals in some countries require patients to demonstrate an ability to pay which can be time consuming and expensive. Traveler’s insurance services can help avoid this hassle and cost. If your travel plans tend to the extreme, consider a plan with evacuation insurance as well.

Wash your hands

Washing your hands, especially before eating, is one of the simplest and most effective health measures you can take. Some of the most common travel health problems, including the flu, are spread by dirty hands. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before every meal or at the very least use hand sanitizer.

Get plenty of sleep

Sleep is important! Even when on vacation, it is important to have at least eight hours of sleep each night, and it is generally suggested to try to keep a sleep pattern that is similar to your normal schedule. Insufficient sleep and serious changes in circadian rhythm can compromise your immune system and could lead to illness. Do your best to always get a good night’s sleep.

Wear sunscreen

Sun poisoning is a very common illness, but it is also very preventable. Remember, sunblock is a must, and not just in tropical destinations! Whether you are on the beach, on the slopes, or touring around town, be sure to protect yourself. Bad sunburns can easily ruin a trip and can lead to significant health problems later on, including cancer. The American Melanoma Foundation suggests using a sunblock with at least 15 SPF and recommends using a ‘broad-spectrum’ formula that can protect against multiple forms of ultraviolet radiation.

Learn key phrases

If you are in a country in which a different language is spoken, having a phrasebook or knowing a few words can be critical, especially if you are having a health issue. Being able to ask where a restroom is could save you from embarrassment, and being able to ask where a hospital is could save your life.

Pack your prescriptions

If you take prescription medications, be sure to bring an ample supply with you, and it is usually best to pack your medications in their original bottles. Also, basic, over the counter medications may not be available in your destination, so pack plenty of these in your travel first aid kit as well.

Be flexible

If you do get sick, don’t be afraid to change your plans. Sometimes it can be better to take a day off and rest rather than risk your health by pushing through the onset of an illness. Take it easy, and try to get over whatever it is that you have come down with so that you can enjoy the remainder of your trip.

Stay Hydrated

Water is key to overcoming any illness. Be sure to drink sufficient amounts of water (potentially with re-hydration salts added), especially if you are suffering from any forms of food poisoning, fever, or diarrhea. Proper hydration will help you to feel better more quickly.

Check your luggage

If you are still sick when you are traveling home, or even between stops on your itinerary, check your larger carry-on bags. Although this can be expensive, it can also be worth the price. Hauling extra bags can be downright grueling while sick, so let the airline do the heavy lifting for you to remove an additional stressor from your travel.

Don’t stress!

Do your best to avoid stress before, during, and after your trip. Stress can harm your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness. Try not to sweat the small stuff, take deep breaths, and find ways to smile through the challenging situations. After all, those “challenges” are likely to become great stories when you return! With a relaxed attitude, you will surely enjoy your vacation more and stay healthier throughout.

Have you found anything to be particularly helpful when traveling with sickness? Comment below or on our Facebook page to share your story.