Summer Vacation & Your Health

It might seem early, but it's about time to start thinking about what to do for summer vacation.

If your plans include traveling, then listen up!

Experiencing other cultures and bringing back that special souvenir is what traveling is all about. Getting sick on your trip isn’t.

Most important is to figure out what kind of health concerns are in the area you’re going to. One quick way is to go online to the CDC’s “travel health site”. You can find this information under the "links we mentioned" section of KRDO.com.

If vaccinations are required, start them now. Some require more than one shot and some vaccines need to be special ordered, so they take time to get.

Next, figure out what medicines to take with you. Get an ample supply of your prescriptions meds. For traveler’s diarrhea, a common problem, this might need anything from Pepto-Bismol to antibiotics.

And none of us expects anything to go wrong on our trip, but accidents do happen, so taking a first aid kit is “essential.” Depending on where you go, this might only contain band aids and Tylenol, or, if exploring more remote areas, be better supplied, with even IV solutions and your own needles.

But trust me, nothing will have you experience your destinations culture up close and personal like having a toothache and trying to find a local dentist. So, go visit one here before your trip, that way you know all your teeth are in good shape, saving you big headaches, or toothaches, later on.

But the most “important” point to remember is to have fun. It’s your vacation; just prepare a little now to make it a smooth one.