In this selection, I’ll tell you about the ten most common travel illnesses and give you tips on how to avoid them…

Sunburn and heat stroke

Fall asleep on the beach, or go for a walk in the heat and your vacation is ruined. Sure, everyone wants to be tanned, but excessive sun exposure can lead to itching, blisters, tumors and even cancer. For many who suffer from sunburn, heat stroke will also be inevitable if safety precautions aren’t taken in time.

How to avoid:

Pretty simple! Wear a hat and high SPF sunscreen if you’re going to be exposed to the sun for an extended period of time, and remember to drink plenty of water.

Polio

Yes, polio still exists. Although most countries have eliminated poliovirus, which can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, the disease still occurs in countries such as Kenya, Cameroon, Israel, Brazil, India and Afghanistan.

How to avoid:

Make sure you are vaccinated, as there is no cure for this disease, and there are only drugs to relieve its symptoms.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea affects 50 percent of travelers, according to the Center for Disease Control. Symptoms include cramping, frequent trips to the bathroom, fever, loss of appetite and dehydration.

How to avoid:

The main cause is dirty water and food. Try to avoid things like ice cubes, raw fruits and vegetables, or anything that looks questionable.

Dengue fever.

You risk contracting it if you travel to tropical countries. The mosquito-born disease causes a lot of discomfort with symptoms like fever, headache, muscle and joint pain. Some also suffer a strange-looking rash similar to measles or frighteningly low blood pressure.

How to avoid:

Although there is no approved vaccine against the virus, the best way to avoid getting infected is to avoid mosquito bites. Avoid places with standing water, apply repellent, and use mosquito netting at night.

Malaria

Another disease caused by mosquitoes. Malaria is most common in Africa, Asia, and tropical areas of North and South America. Sufferers experience headaches, dizziness, fever, and sometimes hallucinations that can lead to coma or (less frequently) death.

How to avoid:

Reducing your susceptibility to bites is the first step, but there are also a number of antimalarial medications available. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any, as some have serious side effects such as death, suicidal tendencies and psychosis.

Measles

Another ancient disease that has surfaced in Brazil, the United States, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines in recent years. Symptoms usually include fever, loss of appetite, runny nose, and a terrible rash that covers the entire body.

How to avoid:

Most people are immunized as children, but the vaccine is available for those traveling to a potentially dangerous area.

Cholera

Although cholera is quite rare in Europe, developing countries such as India, Zimbabwe and Indonesia still report outbreaks of this infected disease.Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting caused by dirty water (often contaminated with feces!), And in extreme cases, gray or bluish skin.

How to avoid:

As a basic rule of thumb, follow the same precautions you take for diarrhea, but if you know you’re traveling to a potential infection area, get a preventive vaccination before you make the trip.

Flu or Coronavirus Infection

Getting the flu or catching the much-popular covid-19 when you’re away from your comfy bed is brutal. Whether you catch it on a plane, in an airport or in one of the busy tourist spots, the flu can take you by surprise with dizziness, fever, fatigue, hot and cold sweats.

How to avoid:

Take a careful approach to hygiene. Make sure you brush or disinfect your hands every time they are near your mouth, and stay away from anyone who sneezes or blows their nose constantly.

Ear stuffing.

If there’s one thing we know from flight attendants, it’s that the airplane is a nasty place. Thanks to pressure fluctuations, many people encounter a problem like ear stuffing and the inability to fix it.

How to avoid it:

To relieve the pain, try chewing gum, swallowing frequently or sucking on hard candy. In case the pain persists, an anti-inflammatory will help relieve some of the pressure.

Avian Flu.

Is a type of flu spread by birds that has a terrible mortality rate – currently about 50%. Cases have been reported throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa since 1997.

How to avoid:

Take the same precautions as you do to prevent contracting the flu by disinfecting your hands and practicing good hygiene. Try to avoid contact with birds.