Logo

Your Guide to Holiday Travel Healthcare

Published on Dec 20, 2023 | 1:41 PM

Share Article :

social-icons social-icons social-icons

The holiday season is a time for family, fun, and travel, but it can also bring unexpected challenges when it comes to your health. Getting sick during this busy time can quickly turn a joyful celebration into a stressful experience, especially if you're away from home.

Whether you're dealing with allergies, the flu, or something more serious, finding quick and affordable care while traveling during the holidays can be tough, but it's essential to ensure you don’t miss out on the festivities.

Why Do So Many People Get Sick While Traveling for the Holidays?

Holiday travel is exciting, but it also significantly increases your chances of getting sick. Crowded spaces like airports, train stations, and public transportation expose you to a variety of germs, while close contact with others—whether on a plane, in a car, or at family gatherings—makes it easier for viruses to spread.

Additionally, traveling often involves changes in environment, such as different climates, altitudes, or time zones, which can put extra stress on your body and make you more susceptible to illness.

The hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, combined with poor sleep and stress, can weaken your immune system, further increasing your vulnerability.

Plus, when you travel, you’re exposed to new germs your body isn't used to, heightening your chances of getting sick. All of these factors combined make getting sick while traveling a common occurrence.

What Illnesses Are Most Common During the Holidays?

The winter season, especially during the holidays, often creates ideal conditions for illnesses to spread. Cold weather, people gathering indoors, heating systems circulating dry air, and live Christmas trees can all contribute to a higher risk of getting sick. Below are some of the most common conditions we see and treat during the holiday season:

  • Allergies: While seasonal allergies are often reduced during the holiday season, it's not unusual to get them when receiving or traveling on holidays to see family. A common culprit for many are live Christmas trees, which tend to cause congestion, cough, and eye irritation. Moreover, with the HVAC system heating the home, the dry air combined with dust accumulation will often result in multiple family members feeling allergy-related symptoms.
  • COVID-19: The holiday season, marked by gatherings and travel, can contribute to the spread of respiratory infections like COVID-19. Increased social interactions, indoor events, and travel on holidays create conditions conducive to the transmission of the virus.
  • Eczema: Eczema flare-ups may occur during the winter months, including the holiday season, due to factors like cold weather, low humidity, and the use of indoor heating systems. These conditions can lead to dry skin, itching, and exacerbation of eczema symptoms.
  • Food Poisoning: The preparation and consumption of festive meals during holiday gatherings may increase the risk of food poisoning. Improper food handling, undercooked meats, and cross-contamination can lead to bacterial contamination, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  • Heartburn and GERD: Overindulgence in rich, fatty foods and alcoholic beverages, common during holiday feasts, can contribute to heartburn. The combination of heavy meals and potential triggers like caffeine and chocolate may exacerbate acid reflux symptoms.
  • Influenza: The winter months coincide with the flu season, and holiday gatherings provide opportunities for the transmission of influenza viruses. Close contact during family gatherings and travel on holidays can contribute to the spread of the flu.
  • Rashes: Skin rashes may occur due to various factors, including exposure to certain allergens, stress, or changes in weather. Additionally, the use of scented candles, perfumes, or festive decorations may trigger skin reactions in sensitive individuals.
  • Strep Throat: Increased indoor gatherings, particularly in colder weather, can contribute to the spread of respiratory infections like strep throat. Close contact with individuals who are carriers of the bacteria may lead to the transmission of Streptococcus bacteria, causing throat infections.
  • RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common winter illness, particularly affecting children and older adults, with symptoms similar to a cold, such as coughing and difficulty breathing. It spreads easily in close contact, making holiday gatherings and travel a prime time for transmission.
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): The holiday season coincides with shorter days and reduced sunlight, which can trigger or exacerbate Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is a type of depression that typically occurs in the fall and winter months, leading to symptoms like fatigue, low energy, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. The hustle and bustle of the holidays, combined with the lack of daylight, can heighten these symptoms.

How Can You Prevent Getting Sick During Holiday Travel?

Staying healthy during the holiday season is key to enjoying your time with loved ones. Here are some practical steps to help prevent getting sick:

  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Stay hydrated
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prioritize rest
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Eat nutritious foods
  • Stay active

What Should You Do When You're Sick While Traveling on a Holiday?

Celebrating the holidays or traveling while sick can be frustrating, but taking quick actions can help you recover faster and prevent the spread of illness to your loved ones.

  1. Get Tested
    If you're feeling unwell, self-test or talk to a healthcare provider about getting tested for common illnesses like COVID-19, the flu, or RSV.
  2. Seek Treatment
    Once you have your test results, reach out to a doctor to get the appropriate treatment for your illness.
  3. Communicate with Loved Ones
    Before attending any in-person holiday festivities, let your family and friends know about your illness. Follow CDC guidelines, and if necessary, reschedule or move the gathering to a less enclosed setting to reduce the risk of spreading illness.
what-should-you-do-when-youre-sick-while-traveling-on-a-holiday

Do Doctors Typically Work on Holidays?

When you're traveling for the holidays and suddenly get sick or realize you’ve forgotten a prescription you need, finding a doctor can feel nearly impossible. Seeing a doctor while traveling during this time of year can be challenging as many local clinics close their doors during major holidays like Christmas and New Year's. This leaves you with limited options when seeking treatment or filling prescriptions while traveling. Urgent care centers or emergency rooms may be open, but they often come with long wait times and hefty bills, even for minor issues.

The frustration of being away from home, combined with the expense and hassle of finding care, can quickly turn a relaxing holiday trip into a stressful ordeal. The search for convenient, affordable care while traveling can add unnecessary strain to your holiday plans. This is why many choose to seek telemedicine while traveling.

Easy Healthcare On-The-Go with Call-On-Doc

Call-On-Doc offers easy, travel-friendly healthcare throughout the U.S. starting at just $39.99, with no extra charge for consultations during the holidays.  With an instant consultation, you'll be on your way to feeling better with prescriptions in as little as 15 minutes, no appointments needed.

Don’t let being sick or a forgotten prescription ruin your holiday plans. Call-On-Doc ensures you get the care or prescription refill you need, fast and hassle-free, whether you're at home or traveling. Stay focused on enjoying the holidays, knowing you have a convenient and reliable online doctor available anytime, anywhere.

Was this article helpful?

Want to learn about a specific topic or condition?

Submit
Doctor-image-blog
Wayne C. Hahne,

English graduate and Call-On-Doc’s medical resource guide, Wayne C. Hahne is an experienced and passionate medical education content expert. Through diligent research, provider interviews and utilizing the industry's leading resources for wellness information, it is Mr. Hahne’s personal mission to educate the general public on medical conditions with in-depth and easy-to-understand written guides.

Related Blogs

7 Reasons Why You Should Use Call-On-Doc for Online Pediatric Doctor Visits

In an era defined by the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, getting regular care for your child has become both difficult and expensive. Founded in 2017, Call-On-Doc has not only made a name for itself as one of the most preeminent telemedicine providers in the United States but also for offering affordable and effective online pediatric care. 

Mar 03, 2021 | 5:28 PM

Read More arrow right

What Do I Have? Flu or COVID-19?

Not sure if you've got a cold, the flu or COVID-19? The symptoms are so closely related it's got many people questioning what they really have. To make things simple, here is a compiled list from our providers with guidance from the CDC to help you determine the similarities and differences between the flu and COVID-19.

Oct 11, 2021 | 2:58 PM

Read More arrow right

5 Reasons Why You Should Still Use Telemedicine After COVID-19

With the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, more people utilize telemedicine than ever before. Once viewed just as an alternative to traditional doctor visits, telemedicine is quickly changing healthcare as we know it. 

Unlike usual doctor’s visits, talking to a doctor online won't give you instant access to tests like mammograms or lab work. However, the service does offer unique benefits not always achievable through an in-person doctor's appointment. CallonDoc also offers traditional in-person care by offering lab tests, diagnostic imaging and at-home tests, allowing patients to have full coverage on their healthcare needs.

With the COVID-19 pandemic gradually passing its peak, many people assume telehealth may be a thing of the past, but they’re sorely mistaken. With the pandemic allowing people to fully exploit the power of the internet and technology, the popularity of virtual doctor’s appointments is set to keep increasing. 
 
And if you’re still not convinced, here are five reasons why many still plan on using telemedicine after COVID-19. 

Feb 15, 2022 | 5:58 PM

Read More arrow right

406,000+ starstarstarstarstar Reviews

406,000+ star star star star star Reviews

Feedback from our amazing patients!

4.9
star
google icon star facebook icon

Highest Rated Telemedicine Provider

star
4.9 (13102 Reviews)
star
4.8 (10001 Reviews)
star
4.9 (4570 Reviews)