Have you ever been to a country and gotten sick? You might be wondering if that was because of the water or the food. These days, it’s hard to know what is safe and what isn’t abroad. It can feel like there is no right answer when it comes to figuring out which countries are on the green list for travel, but we’ve got your back!
We’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to stay healthy while traveling abroad and how to travel without getting sick. Follow these steps and get ready for your happy travels!
What is the green list for travel?
We know it can be a struggle to figure out which countries are safe for travel and are also best vacation spots. But rest assured, there is a way to determine whether or not you want to visit a country or region.
The World Health Organization has released a list of countries that have been deemed safe for tourism. The WHO’s “green list” includes destinations where the risk of serious diseases is low and the risk of getting sick from food and water is also low.
The green list for travel consists of:
Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Georgia
Ghana
Kyrgyzstan (including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) – Mongolia
Montenegro – Senegal
Serbia (including Kosovo) – Turkmenistan – Zambia
How to stay healthy while traveling abroad
Your health is the most important thing on your journey. If you’re going to be exploring a new country, then you want to make sure that you don’t get sick because of food or water.
For starters, skip tap water and stick to bottled water instead. You will also want to eat cooked foods and avoid raw vegetables or fruit unless they have been peeled. The last thing you want is to come back home with a stomach bug!
The best way to prevent yourself from getting sick while traveling abroad is by making sure that your body stays well-hydrated. It’s also important that you stay away from people who are coughing and show signs of the flu or other illnesses.
The best way to protect yourself is by washing your hands before eating and after using the bathroom. If you’re staying in a place with an air conditioner, remember to use it as much as possible for those who don’t have access; it’s especially important if there’s a heatwave outside!
Getting your shots
Before you head out the door, make sure you get your shots. This is a must for all travelers.
In some areas of the world, vaccination is recommended by the government or required by law. In other parts of the world, certain diseases are common but vaccines are not available or offered.
If you’re traveling to Southeast Asia or Africa, for example, it’s important to get vaccinated against measles and yellow fever. And if you’re going to countries where malaria is present, it’s important to get a prophylactic dose of anti-malarial medication before leaving the country and continue taking it while overseas.
If your destination country doesn’t provide vaccinations at border crossings or airports, be sure to wear long sleeves and pants in order to protect yourself from mosquito bites that could lead to malaria when visiting tropical regions.
What precautions to take when traveling
Before you leave for a trip abroad, be sure to take care of yourself first. You want to make sure you’re as healthy as possible before you travel, which includes eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated.
The day before your trip, start going through the supplies that you’ll need for your destination. Start with your luggage and pack items like clothes, medicine, toiletries, and anything you might need if any type of emergency occurs.
Pack light too! Make sure not to bring anything that is bulky that can’t be carried on the plane with you. The less weight in your luggage the better because it will help ease the burden on your arms during your travels. Remember- it’s always better to buy things you need at your destination anyway! Last but not least- don’t forget about packing some hand sanitizer with you!
What to eat while traveling
You might be surprised to learn that most of the world is not as obsessed with cleanliness as America is.
Traveling abroad can be a great experience, but it can also lead to some complications like getting sick. It’s important to take precautions when traveling abroad to avoid any stomach issues. Luckily, there are certain foods you can eat while traveling that will help prevent sickness.
If you’re wondering what you should eat while traveling abroad, don’t worry! You don’t have to go hungry on your next trip. There are plenty of healthy options available at restaurants and markets around the world.
But if you want to make sure you stay safe, here are some of the most common foods that will keep the digestive system happy: salads, yogurt, fruit, rice, beans, oats and quinoa.
What to drink while traveling
When traveling abroad, it might be tempting to drink the local water. We know how you feel, but if you’re lucky enough to have the option of bottled water, take it!
Bottled water is safer because your drinking water will be filtered and purified, which means that all the bad bacteria are removed. You also don’t have to worry about other chemicals that may be in the water supply.
You might not want to drink alcohol while abroad because of how dehydrating it can be to your system. But make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or juice. If you find yourself getting thirsty during the day, make sure to keep a bottle of water with you at all times!
How long do you need to wait after a vaccine before traveling?
In order to be fully protected from a disease, you need to wait a certain amount of time before getting back on a plane or going to another country. For example, if you’ve been vaccinated for Yellow Fever, you need a full 10 days before going abroad. So plan accordingly!
The 10 countries on the green list for travel
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Papua New Guinea
- Sierra Leone
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Liberia
- Haiti
- Niger
- Cuba
There are still a lot of countries on the green list for travel that you shouldn’t visit without following these 10 simple rules.
1. Check with your doctor or travel clinic before you go to find out if vaccines are needed.
2. Consider taking malaria medication.
3. Get vaccinated against yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies.
4. Drink bottled water and eat pasteurized dairy products while abroad.
5. Wash the vegetables and fruit thoroughly before eating them.
6. Avoid raw shellfish and unpasteurized dairy products altogether.
7. Use hot water when brushing teeth in order to kill bacteria in the mouth.
8. Be careful not to drink tap water, even when boiling it is not advised because it may leach metal into the water from pipes in homes or hotels.
Bottled mineral water is considered safe for children over 6 months old only after it has been boiled for one minute or longer at high temperature. For adults, boiling is not necessary but should last at least three minutes to kill all harmful bacteria in tap water before drinking it.
9. Buy bottled drinks instead of eating ice cream, which could contain animal droppings or
Conclusion
Traveling can be a rewarding experience, but it also poses certain risks to your health. There are many measures you can take to stay healthy during your journey, but it’s important to remember that your destination country has an impact on the level of precautions you should take.