Going on a Cruise? How to Stay Healthy On Board

Cruises are a great way to see the world, and if you haven’t gone on one yet, you probably know at least a few people who’ve come home raving about how wonderful it was. Cruises are also fertile ground for illnesses like the norovirus, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says causes more than 90 percent of cruise ship diarrhea outbreaks.

No one wants to get sick on vacation. Keep in mind that while incidents do happen, in general, they’re few and far between. The best way to reduce your risk of illness is to be prepared and take some common sense safety precautions.

Prepare a Health Kit

It’s always a good idea to have your own health kit at the ready. Not only are cruise ship medical services expensive, if an outbreak occurs, you may have to wait a while before help arrives.

Bring the essentials, including:

• Basic over-the-counter medicines like anti-diarrheal and anti-motion sickness medications, antifungal and antibacterial ointment, antacid, cough drops and medicine for pain and fever
• Prescription medications
• Basic first-aid items like bandages, gauze, tweezers and scissors
• Sunscreen and sunburn treatment such as aloe vera gel
• Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes

In addition, don’t forget to pack something to keep the bugs at bay and a spare pair of glasses or contacts. You’ll find a variety of natural insect repellent at DrugStore.com, and you can order extra contact lenses at VisionDirect.com.

Common Sense Precautions

Before you leave, be sure that your vaccinations are up to date, as outbreaks of  measles and chicken pox have been reported on cruises ships. Depending on where your ship will stop, you may need additional vaccinations. Speak to your healthcare provider to find out more.

On board, take the usual common sense precautions. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. Be extra diligent about washing before eating, after using the bathroom and touching things like stair railings and elevator buttons. Use hand sanitizer frequently.

Your Smartphone Can Help

Sickweather is a new app that lets people know how many people in their immediate area may be sick. It uses social media posts and encourages health accountability by letting people self-report specific ailments. You can set alerts to find out whether an illness is going around wherever you are, including a cruise ship. Alerts also provide reminders about hand-washing and other precautions you can take to avoid getting sick.

The WebMD app enables you to check your symptoms and determine if you may be coming down with something. The app also offers treatment and first aid information along with health forecasts based on your particular location.

If You Become Ill

If you come down with an upset stomach or diarrhea, don’t roam the ship spreading germs. Stay in your room and use your own toilet and sink to reduce the risk of passing the illness around. If it lasts more than 24 hours, seek medical assistance.