RSSNov|21|2009
Say NO To H1N1 This Thanksgiving
Posted by Noemi as Health, Tips, United States, Warnings
Pushing your way through crowds, catching your flights, driving in heavy traffic – all these are part of Thanksgiving travel. There’s another aspect of traveling during this holiday that everyone must pay attention to, though, and that’s staying healthy. It is flu season, and the H1N1 virus (a.k.a. swine flu) remains a real threat.
In an effort to halt the spread of this virus, the American Red Cross has released some tips on how to stay safe against the swine flu. Common sense dictates that if you are feeling under the weather, your best defense is to stay at home and cancel travel plans. That may not be an option for you, but it is the most effective way of avoiding the illness.
If you absolutely have to travel, here is what the Red Cross has to …
Oct|27|2009
Guard Yourself Against The Flu Pandemic While You Travel
Posted by Noemi as Health, Tips, Warnings
You may not be aware of it, but there IS a flu pandemic going around, and travelers are most prone to contracting the illness. If you have travel plans in the near future, then you should take precautions so as to lessen your chances of getting the flu. As a matter of fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has made it a point to increase the awareness of people in this regard.
So who are most likely to get the flu? In general, young children and the elderly are at risk. If you have children aged 5 and below, you might want to postpone your travel plans. Same thing applies if you are 65 years old and above. Pregnant women are also at high risk for complications arising from the flu.
According to …
Aug|31|2009
US Travel Hotspots Have “Poorly Performing” Hospitals
Posted by Noemi as Destinations, Health, News, United States, Warnings, Website
When you plan your trips, do you take hospitals into consideration? Probably not. Most people do not really plan on getting sick or injured while on vacation, but it is comforting to know that there is a hospital nearby with competent staff and adequate facilities to treat you just in case something does happen.
According to a study done by USA Today, however, some of the most popular travel destinations in the United States have “poorly performing” hospitals. And how do they define “poorly performing?” How about having some of the worst death rates in the United States? To quote the report:
“…from the Central Valley in California to the East Coast, from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to the Florida beaches. Hospitals with high death rates for heart attack, heart …
Aug|01|2009
No Danger From Blood Clots During Long Air Travel
Posted by Noemi as Air Travel, Health, Health & Wellness
I remember all the hullaballoo about deep vein thrombosis, blood clots forming in your legs when you sit still for very long periods of time. Sitting behind a desk every day, sitting at home, etc – all these are “activities” that may leave you prone to blood clots. Air travel, in particular, is one of the main sources of concern. Short flights, of course, do not pose much of a threat, but extended flights just might.
Or at least that’s what we thought. New developments tell us otherwise, though. According to a report published by Reuters, researchers have not found any concrete link between immobility in long flights and the formation of blood clots:
They report in the Annals of Emergency Medicine that 545 patients were diagnosed with venous blood clots within 45 days, and 1394 had at …
May|05|2009
Travel To Mexico: No Restrictions
Posted by Noemi as Americas, Health, News, United States, Warnings
Joe Biden may have announced his “fear” of traveling to the whole world during his interview in the Today Show, but travel and tourism authorities do not seem to share his opinion. While governments all over the world are telling everyone to be cautious and are taking precautions against the swine flu, they have not released statements to the effect that travel is to be restricted.
I think that this is an indication that the current problem of swine flu is very much under control. I was actually surprised to read that there are no travel restrictions to Mexico, but this is the case. In fact, Mexican travel authorities are going so far as to invite people over to their country, saying that there is no need for anyone to change their travel plans because of the swine …
May|03|2009
Biden Stirs Hornets Nest With Travel Comments
Posted by Noemi as Air Travel, Americas, Announcements, Health, News, People, Transport, United States, Warnings
A lot of people are on the edge these days. It’s not only due to the economic problems, but also other issues that crop up on a regular basis. The swine flu, for example; we know that this kind of occurrence will definitely affect the travel industry. This is even truer when people in authority release statements.
This is what VP Joe Biden did last week when he appeared on NBC’s Today Show. What might have been a personal opinion (I didn’t see the interview so I don’t know if he actually encouraged the nation to do as he said) has ruffled a lot of feathers. CBS News reports:
Transportation officials around the country found themselves scrambling this week to reassure worried commuters in the wake of Biden’s controversial comments Thursday on NBC’s “Today Show” that he …
May|01|2009
Travel Despite Of Swine Flu?
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Health, News, Travelogger, Warnings
Why not? Just because there is a growing concern over swine flu does not mean that you should cancel your travel plans. After all, you probably spent a lot of time planning this trip and it would be such a pity if you had to scrap all your hard work because of this unforeseen event, right?
If you want to go ahead and take the risk, I won’t be one to urge to think otherwise. However, I would have to go ahead and tell you to make sure that you are well protected; and I mean this in terms of health and financial protection. I just read an article of travel insurance and here are some snippets of useful info:
With swine flu dominating the headlines, planning a trip — especially an international one — may feel less …
Apr|16|2009
Don’t Let Illness Prevent You From Traveling
Posted by Noemi as Cruises, Health
There are many reasons that people have when it comes to NOT traveling. Some are quite valid, while some have workarounds. One of the reasons that fall under both categories is illness, kidney health in particular.
We know very well that if your kidney is not functioning at a 100%, such that you have to have regular rounds of dialysis, travel is practically impossible. However, with new technology and a more hospitable travel industry, it is now possible for people with kidney conditions to travel.
I read about dialysis cruises at World First. In fact, reports state that a whole new market is emerging – a market for dialysis patients in particular. One of the leading groups offering this sort of travel package is Gerard Pons Voyages, a travel company which is based in Bordeaux, France. …
Apr|22|2008
Traveling While On The Family Way
Posted by Noemi as Family, Health, People, Tips
One of the main reasons I do not want to get pregnant is my fear that I might not be able to travel as much as I do now. That line may be too personal for some of you but I thought that it might strike a chord in some other women. Men might not really get it, but while being pregnant does not make one an invalid, it can get in the way of some things.
However, as many of my mom friends have told me, traveling does not necessarily have to be put off just because you are in the family way. It depends on the stage of the pregnancy, of course, but a pregnant woman can still go on a vacation under the right circumstances! It might mean a little more planning than normal but …
Mar|24|2008
Have A Healthy Vacation
Posted by Noemi as Family, Health, Health & Wellness, Tips
One of the major concerns of parents when going on family vacations is the health of the family members. This is particularly important if the family has young children. With enough planning and preparation, your family can enjoy a healthy vacation. Here are some tips to help you out.
Prepare a vacation kit
It’s much like a first aid kit but better. I am sure that you have a first aid kit at home – just throw in a few more things in there and you have your vacation kit. So, aside from the regular supplies such as alcohol, band aids, antiseptics, etc., you may want to bring along medication that your children regularly take (if they have any). You should also bring along some diarrhea medicine – you never know if someone might come …
