Staying Healthy While Traveling on Your Honeymoon -- from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

On Your Honeymoon Travels

With Proper Precautions and a touch of common sense, you probably won't need to worry about your health on your honeymoon. The following health tips cover four areas: First Aid Kits, Immunizations, T raveler's Diarrhea, and Jet Lag.

If you'll be traveling adventurously, be sure to visit the online travel section of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), where you'll find country-by-country guidelines for immunizations and other helpful information.

First Aid Kits

Seasoned travelers always carry a first aid kit. Depending on where you're going, think about including:
The Basics:	A pain reliever like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen Band-Aids - a variety of sizes and shapes Antacid tablets Antiseptic Antibacterial hand wipes Insect repellant A thermometer A nasal decongestant Sunscreen SPF 15 or greater Moleskin for blisters First Aid quick reference card
Prescription Medications:	Bring an ample supply of any prescribed medicine. Some people bring twice what they’ll need, placing half in their spouse's suitcase (in case a bag is delayed or lost). Anti-malarial drugs such as chloroquine or mefloquine, depending on where you'll be traveling.
Over-the-Counter Medication:	Pepto-Bismol, in either liquid or pill form. If you develop stomach problems or diarrhea, it will help stabilize your system and kill bacteria. Monistat 7, an over-the-counter remedy for vaginal itch, sometimes a problem in humid climates. If you're prone to sea-sickness or any kind of motion discomfort, bring along motion sickness pills (prescription versions are also available, including a patch worn on your skin).
Other:	A copy of your eyeglass or contact lens prescription. If you lose or break your glasses, you'll be thankful you took the trouble. Iodine to purify water (see Preventing Traveler’s Diarrhea, below)
Commercial Kits:	Pre-packaged First Aid kits are available at sporting goods stores and on the Internet, ranging from basic necessities to advanced emergency life support. High-quality kits are available from Adventure Medical Kits, Chinook Medical Gear, Harris International Health Care, Travel Medicine, and Wilderness Medicine Outfitters. A few tips: Check contents of commercial kits carefully to ensure you have everything you’ll need. Specialty kits are available for managing diabetes, dealing with dental emergencies, and handling aquatic environments.

Immunizations

Traveling outside the US? Be sure you've an up-to-date immunity against polio and tetanus. Travel in less-developed countries may require additional immunizations. To find out what you need, check with your doctor, your local or state health department, and/or the online travel section of the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Traveler's Diarrhea

It has amusing names like “Montezuma's Revenge” and “Tourista,” but there's nothing funny about traveler's diarrhea. If you'll be in a country where sanitary conditions are questionable, take the following precautions:

Never drink unsterilized water. If you're able to boil your own, do so: it's a reliable method for killing harmful microbes. Factory-bottled water is usually safe as long as the cap is factory-sealed at first opening. Never drink bottled water brought already opened to your table. Don't accept drinks with ice (any bacteria it contains will end up inside you when the ice melts).

Carry iodine tablets for times when you can't boil or buy bottled water: they'll kill most microbes.

Be wary of fruit juices, which are sometimes diluted with water.

Usually safe are bottled wine, beer, and carbonated beverages. If drinking directly from the can or bottle, clean the area that will touch your mouth.

Brush your teeth with bottled water.

Consider buying a toothbrush that purifies itself after each use, such as VIOlight.

Don't eat raw foods, especially salads (the greens are usually washed in water). The exception to this rule is any fruit or vegetable you can peel with a knife: oranges, apples, pineapples, melons, papaya, etc. Travel with your own folding knife for peeling, and wash it with bottled water.

Be sure all meat is thoroughly cooked.

Don't eat unpasteurized milk and milk products.

The Center for Disease Control recommends bringing anti-diarrheal medications such as bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide.

If, despite all precautions, you come down with traveler's diarrhea, drink plenty of safe liquids like hot tea and broths, sodas, and bottled water. When you feel like eating again, start with soft, bland foods like applesauce, oatmeal, or plain boiled rice.

Jet Lag

Jet lag occurs when the body's familiar patterns of eating, sleeping, and working suddenly change. It's a fairly new phenomenon, the result of being able to zip across many time zones in a few hours. You'll know it's hit if you feel droopy, disoriented, and extremely tired. While jet lag can't be prevented, its effects can be lessened. Here's how:

When you board your flight, set your watch to the destination's time. Start “living” in that time zone. Try not to dwell on what time it is at home, or think in terms of “I should be eating breakfast right now” or “It’s time for my weekly tennis game.”

Don't overeat, and don't drink alcohol or coffee during the flight. Do, however, drink lots of water and other non-alcoholic liquids.

Get into the sun at your destination as soon as you can—it helps stabilize your sleep cycle.

Adapt to your destination's time zone upon landing. It may be two in the morning back home, but if it's two in the afternoon where you are, don't go to bed.

Over-the-counter and prescription methods to ease jet lag include Melatonin, an herbal remedy called "No Jet Lag," and—as a last resort—sleeping pills.

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