How to avoid infectious diseases while living abroad

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For expatriates living overseas and those who travel abroad, they may be easily exposed to many different kinds of bacteria, virus and parasitic infections that they would not come into contact with in their home country. We have prepared some helpful tips for expats and travelers alike. Be aware of the potential infection risks when traveling abroad. Some travel-related infections are:

  • Insect bite

    Mosquito and other insect bites can transmit Malaria, the Zika virus, dengue fever, etc. Some of the diseases affect 300 to 500 million people worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Some travellers may feel extreme tiredness, muscle aches and chills if bitten by an infected insect. If left untreated, they could cause more severe outcomes such as kidney failure and death.

    Be aware of insects bite when travelling to tropical and subtropical countries with warm, moist climates.

  • Eating or drinking contaminated food or water

    People may develop cholera, gastrointestinal illness and hepatitis A by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Take adequate precautions when consuming food or drink, especially in regions where health standards are not up to Western standards. Possibly check the restaurant reviews online and if it seems suspicious, don’t eat it.

  • From person to person

    Sometimes, people with a certain disease may not have noticeable symptoms. However, person to person contact could transmit measles, mumps, meningitis, rubella, hepatitis A, etc. And these diseases can lead to permanent damage to the kidney and lymphatic system. Avoid unprotected sex while you live abroad and take adequate precautions.

How can expats protect themselves from infections and viruses while living abroad?

Travelers and expatriates can take precautions to reduce their risk of contracting a disease while abroad. Here are some helpful tips for staying healthy:

  • Consume bottled water

    Use bottled water for drinking, and use water that has been boiled for brushing teeth. Canned or bottled beverages are the safest drinks. However, be careful of some bottle waters as those in developed countries may not be safe or could be tampered with.

  • Avoid dairy products that are unpasteurized

    Unpasteurized milk could have parasites and bacteria. Travellers should avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products.

  • Wear long sleeves and long pants

    Wearing long sleeves and long pants can prevent insect bites. Additionally, please choose to wear light colors so the insects can be seen easily.

  • Receive immunizations before departure

    Depending on the destination and the length of the planned trip, travellers are required to receive or update certain vaccinations. Please consult your doctor before departure.

  • Obtain medical insurance

    No matter how careful you may be both before and after moving overseas, you may still catch an infectious disease. To ensure you and your family are protected from costly medical bills outside the home country, it is strongly recommended to obtain international medical insurance so you can live and travel overseas with confidence. Medical insurance includes emergency medical insurance, options of coverage to pre-existing health conditions, additional coverage and more. Please contact us today to discuss your expat health insurance needs.

  • Consult a doctor

    If you fear that you may have been exposed to an infection or virus no matter how many precautions you have taken, consult with a medical doctor as soon as possible. Provide as much information about what you may have eaten, touched or been exposed to. Your medical insurance provider may provide a list of doctors and hospitals that it recommends for its expat clients.

Expat Financial offers several different international health insurance plans for expats around most parts of the world. We also offer excellent service before and after you purchase your international health insurance plan. We even offer global travel insurance coverage. As a division of TFG Global Insurance Solutions Ltd, we are very experienced in sourcing international medical plans.  If you have questions about our global medical insurance plans or if you want to discuss your needs and produce a customized quote, please contact us or complete the quote form.

Please read our medical disclaimer at: https://expatfinancial.com/legal-terms-conditions-of-use/

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