Your Health

Health Check and Inoculations

Health Check: If you have any ongoing medical conditions or concerns about your health, we highly recommend that you schedule a checkup with your personal physician at least six weeks in advance of your departure date. Discuss with your doctor any aspects of your international itinerary that may affect your health and be guided by his or her advice. A loose filling or developing cavity would be difficult to remedy while you are traveling — you may want to have a dental exam before your trip. Feeling healthy and confident of your mobility is essential if you want to fully enjoy your trip abroad. For your comfort and safety, we recommend this program only to individuals in good physical condition.  If you take medications regularly, be sure to pack an ample supply that will last your entire trip, as obtaining refills of your medication can be difficult during your trip. Pack these medications in your carry-on bag, and keep them in their original, labeled containers. To be prepared for any unforeseen loss of your medications, you should also bring copies of the prescriptions, written using the generic drug name rather than a brand name.

Vaccinations

Check with the CDC: To ensure you receive any needed vaccinations we suggest that you check the current recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for your destination. You can contact them at: www.cdc.gov/travel, where you will find comprehensive information about preventing illness while traveling.  By phone—at the CDC’s Hotline toll-free at 1-800-232-4636 24 hours a day. Consult your doctor: After checking the CDC’s recommendations we strongly suggest that you consult your family physician concerning any vaccinations or medications that you may need on this trip.

Jet Lag Relief

You will feel better on the first days of your trip if, shortly before you leave home, you start to adjust to the different time zone of your destination. Since you will cross several time zones to reach Europe, you may lose many hours of regular sleep. On arrival, your body then will have to suddenly adjust to new sleeping and eating patterns. The result is jet lag. Its symptoms are fatigue—often compounded by insomnia and general restlessness—irritability, and vague disorientation. You cannot totally avoid jet lag; but you can minimize it. Here’s how:

      • Start your trip well rested. Begin a gradual transition to your new time zone before you leave.
      • Switch to your destination time zone when you get on the plane. Attempt to sleep and eat according to the new schedule.
      • Try to sleep on overnight flights.
      • Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before–and during–your flight.
      • Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying.
      • Stretch your legs, neck, and back periodically while seated on the plane, and make an effort to get up and walk about the cabin a few times to keep your blood circulation normal.
      • After arrival, avoid the temptation to nap.
      • Don’t push yourself to see a lot on your first day.
      • Try to stay awake your first day until after dinner.