Why do I get sick every time I travel?

A weakened immune system “When you travel,” says Dr. Oza, “your usual routines are disrupted. You may not be sleeping as well as you do at home, and your eating habits change when you're away. You may be staying up later, consuming more alcohol and getting less exercise than usual.



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During Travel
  1. Wash your hands with soap and water. ...
  2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. ...
  3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
  4. Avoid contact with people who are sick.


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Common travel-related illnesses include:
  • Diarrheal disease. Most travel-related diarrheal diseases are acquired by consuming contaminated water and food.
  • Hepatitis A. ...
  • Malaria. ...
  • Dengue fever. ...
  • Parasitic infections. ...
  • Tuberculosis. ...
  • Typhoid fever. ...
  • Yellow fever.


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People who do not travel often may get used to movement during a trip lasting several days. Even those who travel often may find that symptoms get better as they are more often exposed to motion. However, people who get anxious before a journey often have worsened symptoms of motion sickness.

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Many journal articles and reference books related to travel medicine cite that between 22–64% of international travellers become ill during or after travel; however, this information is minimal, outdated and limited by poor generalizability.

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Stress and Anxiety: One reason that many people fall sick before travelling is simply that they are stressed. Even if you're excited about your trip, the preparations involved can be overwhelming.

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When we travel our bodies endure a lot of stress, says Gretchen Genato, a nurse practitioner at Cedars-Sinai's Playa Vista Urgent Care. Stress can decrease your immune system, making you susceptible to illness.

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When you're traveling, it's likely you'll come into contact with many different people, areas, and surfaces. As we mentioned earlier, your immune system may already be weakened from the effects of traveling, making you more susceptible to bacteria and viruses.

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