Planning ahead, taking precautions can keep sickness from marring vacation

The last thing you need when you're traveling is to get sick. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to reduce your risk of picking up a bug along with your souvenirs.

Wash Up

Frequent hand washing can significantly reduce your risk of getting ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to stay healthy and avoid spreading germs -- at home or on the road. When washing, rub and scrub your hands for 20 seconds -- it takes that long to dislodge and remove germs. If you can't get to a sink with soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Look for gels or wipes that say "sanitizer" and have at least 70 percent alcohol content.

wipe down

Cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Stomach flu viruses can linger on surfaces for two to four weeks. On the airplane, wipe down your tray table, armrests, seat belt buckle and the air/call buttons. You also should use the wipes in your hotel room to sanitize faucets, switches, phones and door knobs.

drink safe

Each year, more than 10 million overseas travelers develop a gastrointestinal illness often caused by unsafe water. Water systems in many countries, especially developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, do not adequately purify drinking water. Water pipe leaks and contamination are common. Even bottled water can come from unknown and unregulated sources.

One way to avoid traveler's diarrhea is to use a handheld water purifier like the SteriPEN Traveler or Traveler Mini. They work on any source of fresh water -- including overseas tap water, bottled water from unknown sources, and river or lake water. The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet light, rather than chemicals, to destroy more than 99.9 percent of viruses, bacteria, household germs and protozoa -- including giardia and cryptosporidium -- in seconds.

Something as simple as brushing your teeth or washing your contact lenses in questionable water could ruin your entire trip. Use only purified water for these tasks.

be prepared

Put together a travel health kit that includes an antacid, bandages, pain relievers such as aspirin, an antihistamine and your prescription medications.

If you'll be traveling overseas, visit your doctor for a checkup and make sure you have up-to-date immunizations. And be sure to check the CDC travel health page at CDC.gov for updates on infectious diseases endemic in outlying destinations.

-- Family Features USA