The Thanksgiving holiday season brings family gatherings, long-awaited trips, and a surge in travel between cities and states. With busy airports, crowded roads, and colder weather, it’s also a time when colds, flu, stomach viruses, and other seasonal illnesses tend to spread more easily. A little preparation can go a long way in keeping you and your family healthy while traveling.
1. Prepare a Small Travel Health Kit: A simple kit can make common issues much easier to manage. Consider packing:
- Pain relievers or fever reducers
- Motion sickness medication
- Saline spray
- B12 vitamins
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
- Bandages and a small tube of antibiotic ointment
- A refill of any personal prescriptions
- Electrolyte packets in case of dehydration
These small items help you handle minor concerns quickly without having to scramble to find a pharmacy in an unfamiliar place.
2. Stay Hydrated — Especially When Flying: Airplane cabins have very low humidity, which can irritate the throat and dry out the nasal passages, making them more vulnerable to infection. Drink water regularly, avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, and consider using a saline nasal spray to keep your airways from drying out.
3. Prioritize Rest Before You Travel: A tired body has a harder time fighting off illness. Getting enough sleep in the days leading up to your trip helps regulate your immune system and reduces your risk of getting sick during or after travel. Getting a B12 shot can also help with your immunity!
4. Be Mindful of High-Touch Surfaces: Whether you’re traveling through an airport or stopping at rest areas on a road trip, high-touch areas can harbor germs. A quick wipe of tray tables, armrests, seat belts, door handles, or screens can help lower your exposure to common viruses.
5. Know When to Seek Care: If you develop symptoms such as persistent fever, severe sore throat, ear pain, chest congestion, or gastrointestinal issues, it’s helpful to get checked. Early evaluation can make a big difference in how quickly you recover, especially during a busy holiday schedule.
6. Traveling Within California? Bring Marque Virtual Care With You: If your holiday travels keep you anywhere in California, remember that Marque Urgent Care is just a click away through our Virtual Care services. Whether you need quick medical advice, treatment for a minor illness, help determining next steps, or a prescription refill, our providers can evaluate you wherever you are, all from your smartphone or computer. It’s convenient, fast, and available when you’re away from home.
We hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. For any unexpected needs, our Aliso Viejo clinic, UTC (San Diego) clinic, and Virtual Care will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 9 am to 2 pm.